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Veterinary immunology and immunopathology2004; 97(1-2); 87-96; doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2003.08.013

IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma mRNA expression in pulmonary lymphocytes in equine heaves.

Abstract: Heaves is a common condition of horses of cold climate that is characterized by small airway inflammation and obstruction following exposure of susceptible horses to moldy hay and straw. It has been shown that helper T lymphocytes (Th) orchestrate the inflammatory response in asthma and in various animal models of allergic lung diseases by the release of Th2-type cytokines. Results of previous studies indicate that a predominant expression of Th2-type response by airway cells may also be present in heaves. To evaluate the temporal mRNA expression of Th1 (IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-5) type cytokines in heaves and their relationship to clinical disease, we studied the pulmonary mechanics and cytokine mRNA expression (IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma) in bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytes of horses with heaves (n=6) and control (n=6) before and after 24h and 9 days of continuous natural inhalation challenge. Starting 24h after challenge horses with heaves, but not control horses, had a significant increase in pulmonary elastance and the number of lymphocytes expressing mRNA for IL-4 and IL-5. These changes were further increased at 9 days, at which time the number of cells positive for IFN-gamma mRNA was decreased. In this study we have shown that BAL lymphocytes of horses with heaves during clinical exacerbation have a predominant Th2-type cytokine response and that this response coincides in time with the presence of airway obstruction.
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Publication Date: 2004-01-01 PubMed ID: 14700540DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2003.08.013Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article discusses a study on the role of certain immune system cells (helper T lymphocytes) and their related proteins (cytokines) in heaves, a common lung disease in horses similar to asthma in humans. The researchers studied how these cells and proteins behave during the progression of the disease after exposure to triggering substances such as moldy hay.

Background

  • Heaves is a chronic respiratory disease in horses, prevalent in colder climates, typically triggered by exposure to moldy hay or straw.
  • The disease is characterized by small airway inflammation and obstruction.
  • Previous research suggests that helper T lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, play a significant role in the inflammation and disease progression seen in heaves.
  • These cells function by releasing proteins called cytokines, most notably Th2-type cytokines such as IL-4 (Interleukin 4) and IL-5 (Interleukin 5), that mediate immune response and inflammation.

Study Design and Methodology

  • The researchers looked at the patterns of cytokine expression in horses with heaves to see how it affects disease progression.
  • The specific cytokines studied include Th1-type cytokine (IFN-gamma) and Th2-type cytokines (IL-4, IL-5).
  • The study analyzed bronchoalveolar lavage (a method of obtaining cells from airways and lung tissues) lymphocytes of six horses with heaves and six control horses.
  • They examined these cells before and after 24 hours and 9 days of continuous exposure to the substances triggering heaves.

Results

  • Starting 24 hours after exposure, horses with heaves showed a significant increase in pulmonary elastance (resistance to lung expansion) as well as an increase in the number of immune cells expressing mRNA for IL-4 and IL-5.
  • The control horses, however, showed no such changes.
  • These changes in the horses with heaves were further increased at the 9-day mark, and there was a decrease in the number of cells positive for IFN-gamma mRNA, another type of immune signalling protein.

Conclusion

  • The study suggests a predominant Th2-type cytokine response in horses with heaves during clinical exacerbation.
  • This immune response coincides with the presence of airway obstruction, indicating a possible link between the inflammatory response and the physical symptoms of the disease.

The findings from this study provide a better understanding of the immune response in horses with heaves, potentially leading to improved therapeutic strategies to combat this debilitating disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Cordeau ME, Joubert P, Dewachi O, Hamid Q, Lavoie JP. (2004). IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-gamma mRNA expression in pulmonary lymphocytes in equine heaves. Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 97(1-2), 87-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2003.08.013

Publication

Veterinary immunology and immunopathology
ISSN: 0165-2427
NlmUniqueID: 8002006
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 97
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 87-96

Researcher Affiliations

Cordeau, Marie-Eve
  • Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Que., Canada J2S 7C6.
Joubert, Philippe
    Dewachi, Oday
      Hamid, Qutayba
        Lavoie, Jean-Pierre

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
          • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / immunology
          • Female
          • Horse Diseases / genetics
          • Horse Diseases / immunology
          • Horse Diseases / metabolism
          • Horses
          • In Situ Hybridization / veterinary
          • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
          • Interferon-gamma / genetics
          • Interferon-gamma / immunology
          • Interleukin-4 / biosynthesis
          • Interleukin-4 / genetics
          • Interleukin-4 / immunology
          • Interleukin-5 / biosynthesis
          • Interleukin-5 / genetics
          • Interleukin-5 / immunology
          • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / genetics
          • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / immunology
          • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / metabolism
          • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / veterinary
          • Male
          • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
          • RNA, Messenger / blood
          • RNA, Messenger / genetics
          • Respiratory Function Tests / veterinary
          • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / genetics
          • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / immunology
          • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / metabolism
          • Respiratory Hypersensitivity / veterinary
          • Statistics, Nonparametric

          Citations

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