Cytokine profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from septic and healthy neonatal foals.

The research investigates the cytokine profiles in the blood cells of both healthy and septic newborn foals. The study highlights that septic foals, unlike human infants, increase the production of a specific receptor linked to inflammation. The research also suggests that higher expression of a particular cytokine, IL-6, could be linked to a poor prognosis in septic foals.

Research Objective and Methodology

• The objective of the research was to examine the varying cytokine profiles in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of septic and healthy neonatal foals. The researchers aim to understand why septic foals fail to increase the gene expression of Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma).
• The study involved 21 septic and 20 healthy newborn foals. It utilized real-time polymerase chain reaction to measure the gene expression of various cytokines in the PBMC obtained from septic foals.
• The research focused on the gene expression of several cytokines including IFN-gamma, IL (interleukin)-1beta, IL-6, IL-4, IL-8, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and beta-actin. These were measured in samples taken from septic foals at 0, 24, and 72 hours after they were admitted to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals. Control foals were also sampled at comparable times.

Research Findings

• At the beginning of the observation period (T=0 hours), septic foals displayed a 6-fold decrease in the gene expression of IL-4 and a 5-fold increase in gene expression of TLR4, as compared to the control group.
• The gene expression of IFN-gamma, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1beta did not display any notable differences between the two groups at the start of the study.
• However, among septic foals that died, there occurred a 15-fold increase in the expression of IL-6 at the beginning of the observation period, compared to the surviving foals.

Conclusion and Future Directions

• It was concluded that septic foals, unlike septic human infants, boost the gene expression of TLR4, contributing to an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine production.
• The study found that, despite the presence of sepsis, IFN-gamma did not see an up-regulation in septic foals.
• The researchers suggest that further studies are necessary to confirm that increased expression of IL-6 is associated with a poorer prognosis in septic foals.