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Clinical and vaccine immunology : CVI2007; 14(4); 369-374; doi: 10.1128/CVI.00448-06

In vivo expression of and cell-mediated immune responses to the plasmid-encoded virulence-associated proteins of Rhodococcus equi in foals.

Abstract: Rhodococcus equi is a facultative intracellular pathogen that causes pneumonia in foals but does not induce disease in adult horses. Virulence of R. equi depends on the presence of a large plasmid, which encodes a family of seven virulence-associated proteins (VapA and VapC to VapH). Eradication of R. equi from the lungs depends on gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production by T lymphocytes. The objectives of the present study were to determine the relative in vivo expression of the vap genes of R. equi in the lungs of infected foals, to determine the recall response of bronchial lymph node (BLN) lymphocytes from foals and adult horses to each of the Vap proteins, and to compare the cytokine profiles of proliferating lymphocytes between foals and adult horses. vapA, vapD, and vapG were preferentially expressed in the lungs of infected foals, and expression of these genes in the lungs was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that achieved during in vitro growth. VapA and VapC induced the strongest lymphoproliferative responses for foals and adult horses. There was no significant difference in recall lymphoproliferative responses or IFN-gamma mRNA expression by bronchial lymph node lymphocytes between foals and adults. In contrast, interleukin 4 (IL-4) expression was significantly higher for adults than for foals for each of the Vap proteins. The ratio of IFN-gamma to IL-4 was significantly higher for foals than for adult horses for most Vap proteins. Therefore, foals are immunocompetent and are capable of mounting lymphoproliferative responses of the same magnitude and cytokine phenotype as those of adult horses.
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Publication Date: 2007-02-14 PubMed ID: 17301216PubMed Central: PMC1865619DOI: 10.1128/CVI.00448-06Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

This research investigates the expression and immune response to the virulence-associated proteins of Rhodococcus equi in foals. The findings indicate that certain genes were preferentially expressed in the lungs of infected foals, and that there was no significant difference in immune response when comparing foals and adult horses.

Understanding the Study

  • This study focuses on Rhodococcus equi, a bacteria that can cause pneumonia in foals (young horses) but typically does not induce disease in adult horses. The virulence, or ability to cause disease, of R. equi is determined by a large plasmid, which encodes a family of seven virulence-associated proteins known as VapA and VapC to VapH.
  • The researchers sought to understand how the vap genes of R. equi are expressed in the lungs of infected foals. In addition, they aimed to analyze the immune response of bronchial lymph node (BLN) lymphocytes from foals and adult horses to these virulence-associated proteins.

The Findings

  • The genes vapA, vapD, and vapG were found to be preferentially expressed in the lungs of infected foals. Interestingly, the expression of these genes in the lungs was significantly higher than when R. equi was grown in vitro (outside a living organism).
  • When studying the immune response to the Vap proteins, the researchers discovered that VapA and VapC induced the strongest responses in both foals and adult horses. This suggests that these two proteins may play a particularly significant role in the virulence of R. equi.

Implications of the Findings

  • The immune response, as measured by lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine expression, did not significantly differ between foals and adult horses. This suggests that both foals and adults are capable of an equally strong immune response to R. equi.
  • However, there was a difference observed in the expression of the cytokine interleukin 4 (IL-4): this was significantly higher in adults as compared to foals for each of the Vap proteins. This could potentially explain why R. equi tends to cause disease in foals but not in adults.
  • The overall implication is that foals, despite their youth, are immunocompetent and capable of mounting lymphoproliferative responses similar to those of adult horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Jacks S, Giguère S, Prescott JF. (2007). In vivo expression of and cell-mediated immune responses to the plasmid-encoded virulence-associated proteins of Rhodococcus equi in foals. Clin Vaccine Immunol, 14(4), 369-374. https://doi.org/10.1128/CVI.00448-06

Publication

Clinical and vaccine immunology : CVI
ISSN: 1556-6811
NlmUniqueID: 101252125
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 4
Pages: 369-374

Researcher Affiliations

Jacks, Stephanie
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
Giguère, Steeve
    Prescott, John F

      MeSH Terms

      • Actinomycetales Infections / immunology
      • Actinomycetales Infections / prevention & control
      • Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary
      • Animals
      • Animals, Newborn
      • Horses
      • Immunity, Cellular
      • Plasmids
      • Pneumonia, Bacterial / immunology
      • Pneumonia, Bacterial / prevention & control
      • Pneumonia, Bacterial / veterinary
      • Rhodococcus equi / immunology
      • Rhodococcus equi / pathogenicity
      • Virulence Factors / genetics
      • Virulence Factors / immunology

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      Citations

      This article has been cited 9 times.
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