Lymphocyte stimulation response in horses against phytohaemagglutinin and M protein of Streptococcus equi using whole blood.
Abstract: Lymphocyte stimulation was observed in whole equine blood in the presence of phytohaemagglutinin and M protein extracted from a typical strain of Streptococcus equi. Blood samples were collected from several healthy horses and horse and pony foals and cultured in vitro with varying concentrations of phytohaemagglutinin and M protein for several days. Phytohaemagglutinin was found to induce lymphocyte stimulation in these animals. Highest mean stimulation indices in horse foals (49.3 +/- 24.4) and pony foals (54.7 +/- 32.0) were observed with 0.625 and 1.25 micrograms/mL phytohaemagglutinin, respectively, at either 72 or 96 hours of incubation. Significantly higher radioactive counts per minute in horse and pony foals were recorded in blood cultures incubated with 0.625 and 1.25 micrograms/mL phytohaemagglutinin. M protein induced a dose related stimulation response in adult horses. Maximum stimulation indices were observed against 125 micrograms/mL M protein at 96 hours. These stimulation indices were higher in adult horses (40.0 +/- 2.2) than observed in pony foals (14.4 +/- 15.7). Higher stimulation levels in adult horses indicated either nonspecific stimulation against M protein or previous exposure of these animals to S. equi.
Publication Date: 1982-01-01 PubMed ID: 7074416PubMed Central: PMC1320195
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research examines how the immune system of horses reacts to phytohaemagglutinin and M protein from Streptococcus equi. Findings indicate that these substances can stimulate lymphocytes (white blood cells) and that this response varies based on the concentration of these substances and the age of the horse in question.
Experimental Setup
- For the study, blood samples were collected from both mature and young horses, including pony foals.
- These samples were then exposed to different concentrations of both phytohaemagglutinin and M protein in a controlled environment.
- The stimulation of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell which is key to immune responses, was monitored and measured over several days.
Findings on Phytohaemagglutinin
- Phytohaemagglutinin was found to have a stimulatory effect on the lymphocytes in horse blood.
- Notably, the peak stimulation response in horse foals and pony foals was observed with concentrations of 0.625 and 1.25 micrograms/mL of phytohaemagglutinin respectively, at 72 and 96 hours of incubation.
- This stimulation response was further confirmed by significantly higher radioactive counts per minute recorded in the blood cultures.
Findings on M Protein
- Exposure to M protein, derived from the bacterium Streptococcus equi, also resulted in a stimulation response in the lymphocytes.
- This response was notably dose-dependent, with maximum stimulation observed against a concentration of 125 micrograms/mL M protein after 96 hours of cultivation.
- The response to M protein was found to be higher in adult horses as compared to pony foals, suggesting that adult horses had either a nonspecific stimulation response or had been previously exposed to S. equi.
Implications and Conclusions
- The varied reactions between horses of different ages suggests that the animal’s age may play a role in the immune response. This insight could contribute to more effective treatment strategies for horses depending on their life stage.
- The findings also provide insights into how the equine immune system interacts with S. equi, potentially leading to the development of new approaches to managing infection by this bacterium in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Srivastava SK, Barnum DA.
(1982).
Lymphocyte stimulation response in horses against phytohaemagglutinin and M protein of Streptococcus equi using whole blood.
Can J Comp Med, 46(1), 51-56.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Antigens, Bacterial / pharmacology
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins
- Bacterial Proteins / pharmacology
- Carrier Proteins
- Female
- Horses / immunology
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Male
- Phytohemagglutinins / pharmacology
- Streptococcus / immunology
References
This article includes 17 references
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