Expression of molecular markers in blood of neonatal foals with sepsis.
Abstract: To determine gene expression of selected molecular markers (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, interleukin [IL]-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, procalcitonin [PCT], and transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta) in the blood of healthy and sick foals. Methods: 28 sick foals without sepsis, 21 foals with sepsis, and 21 healthy foals. Methods: Total RNA was extracted from blood samples and converted into complementary DNA (cDNA). Gene expression was measured for the molecular markers by use of real-time PCR assay, and final quantitation was performed with the comparative threshold cycle method. Results: Samples from all foals yielded transcription for all markers. Expression of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta was significantly lower and that of IL-8 significantly greater in the sick-nonseptic and septic groups, compared with the healthy group. No significant difference in expression of IL-1beta, IL-6, and PCT was found between the healthy group and the 2 sick groups. Expression of IL-10 was significantly greater in nonsurvivors, compared with survivors. Conclusions: The cytokine profile in foals with sepsis may suggest an immunosuppressive state. Expression of IL-10 may be a marker for identification of foals with a guarded prognosis.
Publication Date: 2006-06-03 PubMed ID: 16740100DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.67.6.1045Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigated gene expression levels of certain molecular markers in the blood of sick and healthy foals. The findings suggest that changes in these markers could indicate an immunosuppressive state in foals with sepsis and potentially identify those at increased risk.
Objective and Participants
- The main aim of this study was to examine the gene expression of selected molecular markers in the blood of neonatal foals. The molecular markers examined were tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, procalcitonin (PCT), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta.
- Investigators studied a total of 70 foals: 21 of them were healthy, 28 sick but without sepsis, and 21 suffering from sepsis.
Methodology
- The researchers extracted total RNA from blood samples of the foals and converted it into complementary DNA (cDNA) for analysis.
- Gene expression of the molecular markers was measured through a real-time PCR assay. The final quantification was carried out using the comparative threshold cycle method.
Results
- All foals’ samples showed transcription for the selected markers. However, the expression levels varied across the groups.
- Expression of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta was significantly lower in both sick groups (with and without sepsis) than in the healthy group. On the other hand, IL-8 expression was considerably higher in these two groups when compared to the healthy ones.
- There was no significant variation in IL-1beta, IL-6, and PCT expression between the healthy group and the two sick groups.
- Expression of IL-10 was significantly greater among nonsurvivors compared to survivors, suggesting a potential indicator for foals’ survival chances.
Conclusions
- The researchers concluded that the cytokine profile in foals with sepsis may signal an immunosuppressive condition. This condition refers to a reduction in the effectiveness of the immune system, which may make the foal more prone to infections and diseases.
- They also suggested that the expression of IL-10 could potentially be used as a marker to identify foals with a guarded prognosis – meaning those at an increased risk or uncertain outcome.
Cite This Article
APA
Pusterla N, Magdesian KG, Mapes S, Leutenegger CM.
(2006).
Expression of molecular markers in blood of neonatal foals with sepsis.
Am J Vet Res, 67(6), 1045-1049.
https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.67.6.1045 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Biomarkers / blood
- Calcitonin / genetics
- Calcitonin / metabolism
- Cytokines / genetics
- Cytokines / metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Horse Diseases / blood
- Horse Diseases / genetics
- Horses
- Protein Precursors / genetics
- Protein Precursors / metabolism
- Sepsis / blood
- Sepsis / genetics
- Sepsis / veterinary
Citations
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