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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Immunol Immunopathol / The equine alveolar macrophage: functional and phenotypic co...
Veterinary immunology and immunopathology2013; 155(4); 219-228; doi: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2013.07.003

The equine alveolar macrophage: functional and phenotypic comparisons with peritoneal macrophages.

Abstract: Alveolar macrophages (AMs) constitute the first line of defence in the lung of all species, playing a crucial role in the regulation of immune responses to inhaled pathogens. A detailed understanding of the function and phenotype of AMs is a necessary pre-requisite to both elucidating their role in preventing opportunistic bacterial colonisation of the lower respiratory tract and developing appropriate preventative strategies. The purpose of the study was to characterise this important innate immune cell at the tissue level by making functional and phenotypic comparisons with peritoneal macrophages (PMs). We hypothesised that the tissue of origin determines a unique phenotype of AMs, which may constitute an appropriate therapeutic target for certain equine respiratory diseases. Macrophages isolated from the lung and the peritoneal cavity of 9 horses were stimulated with various toll like receptor (TLR) ligands and the production of nitrite, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL) 10 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) were measured by the Griess reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and/or quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Cells were also compared on the basis of phagocytic-capacity and the expression of several cell surface markers. AMs, but not PMs, demonstrated increased TNFα release following stimulation with LPS, polyinosinic polycytidylic acid (Poly IC) and heat-killed Salmonella typhinurium and increased TNFα and IDO mRNA expression when stimulated with LPS. AMs showed high expression of the specific macrophage markers cluster of differentiation (CD) 14, CD163 and TLR4, whereas PMs showed high expression of TLR4 only. AMs, but not PMs, demonstrated efficient phagocytic activity. Our results demonstrate that AMs are more active than PMs when stimulated with various pro-inflammatory ligands, thus supporting the importance of the local microenvironment in the activation status of the macrophage. This information provides a valuable knowledge base on which to improve our understanding of the role of macrophages and their microenvironment in equine innate immunity.
Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2013-07-20 PubMed ID: 23978307PubMed Central: PMC3795452DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2013.07.003Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Comparative Study
  • 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.

This research investigates the role of alveolar macrophages (AMs), a type of immune cell found in the lungs, in defending against inhale pathogens in horses. The study compares the functionality and characteristics of AMs with peritoneal macrophages (PMs), which are found in the abdominal cavity, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the unique role of AMs in equine respiratory diseases.

Research Purpose and Hypothesis

  • The researchers aimed to provide a detailed characterization of AMs by comparing them with PMs, focusing on their function and phenotype (the observable characteristics resulting from gene expression).
  • The researchers hypothesized that the unique characteristics of AMs are determined by their lung tissue origin, and that these characteristics could be potential targets for the treatment of certain equine respiratory diseases.

Research Methodology

  • Macrophages were isolated from the lungs and the peritoneal cavity of 9 horses and were then stimulated with various toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands, which are molecules that can stimulate an immune response.
  • The team measured the production of several immune response indicators – nitrite, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin (IL) 10 and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) – using the Griess reaction, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and/or quantitative polymerase chain reaction.
  • These cells were further compared based on their phagocytic capacity (their ability to engulf and destroy pathogens) and the expression of several cell surface markers, which are proteins expressed on the surface of cells that often play a role in cellular function and communication.

Research Findings

  • AMs, unlike PMs, displayed increased TNFα release and TNFα and IDO mRNA expression when stimulated with certain pro-inflammatory ligands, including LPS, Poly IC, and heat-killed Salmonella typhinurium. This finding indicates that AMs can be more active than PMs in inflammatory responses.
  • AMs demonstrated high expression levels of specific macrophage markers (CD14, CD163, and TLR4), whereas PMs showed high expression levels of TLR4 only.
  • AMs displayed efficient phagocytic activity, whereas PMs did not. This demonstrates AMs’ ability to consume and kill pathogens, critical for the body’s defense against infections.

Conclusion

  • The research concludes that AMs in horses are more active than PMs when faced with certain pro-inflammatory substances. The study supports the role of local microenvironments in the activation statuses of macrophages, highlighting the unique and potentially critical role AMs play in the lung’s first line of defense against inhaled pathogens in horses.
  • The information provided by this research constitutes valuable knowledge for improving our understanding of the role of macrophages and their microenvironments in innate immunity, with potential implications for treating equine respiratory diseases.

Cite This Article

APA
Karagianni AE, Kapetanovic R, McGorum BC, Hume DA, Pirie SR. (2013). The equine alveolar macrophage: functional and phenotypic comparisons with peritoneal macrophages. Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 155(4), 219-228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2013.07.003

Publication

Veterinary immunology and immunopathology
ISSN: 1873-2534
NlmUniqueID: 8002006
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 155
Issue: 4
Pages: 219-228

Researcher Affiliations

Karagianni, Anna E
  • The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9PS, UK. Electronic address: anna.karagianni@roslin.ed.ac.uk.
Kapetanovic, Ronan
    McGorum, Bruce C
      Hume, David A
        Pirie, Scott R

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Flow Cytometry / veterinary
          • Horses / immunology
          • Immunity, Innate / immunology
          • Immunophenotyping / veterinary
          • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / genetics
          • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / immunology
          • Interleukin-10 / genetics
          • Interleukin-10 / immunology
          • Lung / cytology
          • Lung / immunology
          • Macrophages, Alveolar / cytology
          • Macrophages, Alveolar / immunology
          • Macrophages, Peritoneal / cytology
          • Macrophages, Peritoneal / immunology
          • Nitrates / analysis
          • Nitrates / immunology
          • Phenotype
          • RNA / chemistry
          • RNA / genetics
          • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
          • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics
          • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology

          Grant Funding

          • BB/G004013/1 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

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