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Equine veterinary journal2020; 53(2); 231-249; doi: 10.1111/evj.13341

The equine mononuclear phagocyte system: The relevance of the horse as a model for understanding human innate immunity.

Abstract: The mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS) is a family of cells of related function that includes bone marrow progenitors, blood monocytes and resident tissue macrophages. Macrophages are effector cells in both innate and acquired immunity. They are a major resident cell population in every organ and their numbers increase in response to proinflammatory stimuli. Their function is highly regulated by a wide range of agonists, including lymphokines, cytokines and products of microorganisms. Macrophage biology has been studied most extensively in mice, yet direct comparisons of rodent and human macrophages have revealed many functional differences. In this review, we provide an overview of the equine MPS, describing the variation in the function and phenotype of macrophages depending on their location and the similarities and differences between the rodent, human and equine immune response. We discuss the use of the horse as a large animal model in which to study macrophage biology and pathological processes shared with humans. Finally, following the recent update to the horse genome, facilitating further comparative analysis of regulated gene expression between the species, we highlight the importance of future transcriptomic macrophage studies in the horse, the findings of which may also be applicable to human as well as veterinary research.
© 2021 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2020-09-28 PubMed ID: 32881079DOI: 10.1111/evj.13341Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 study provides an overview of the horse’s immune system, focusing on a group of cells known as the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), and discusses the potential relevance of horses as a model for studying human immune systems.

Overview of the Research

  • The study focuses on the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), a group of related cells including bone marrow progenitors, blood monocytes, and resident tissue macrophages. These cells are integral to both innate (natural) and acquired immunity.
  • Macrophages, an important type of MPS cell, are found in many organs and increase when the body presents proinflammatory stimuli. Their function is significantly influenced by various factors like lymphokines, cytokines, and microorganism products.

Horse as a Model for Human Immunity

  • Majority of the studies related to macrophage biology have been conducted on mice. However, direct comparison of rodent and human macrophages has unveiled significant functional differences. Consequently, the researchers propose the horse as a potential large animal model for studying macrophage biology and related pathological processes.
  • The equine MPS displays variations in macrophage function and phenotype depending on their location. The study outlines these variations and draws parallels and disparities between the immune responses of rodents, humans, and horses.

Significance of Future Research and Comparative Study

  • The authors argue the significance of further comparative studies of regulated gene expression across different species following the recent update to the horse genome.
  • Future transcriptomic macrophage studies in horses might yield findings that could be applicable in human and veterinary research, underscoring the importance of the horse as a model for understanding human innate immunity.

Cite This Article

APA
Karagianni AE, Lisowski ZM, Hume DA, Scott Pirie R. (2020). The equine mononuclear phagocyte system: The relevance of the horse as a model for understanding human innate immunity. Equine Vet J, 53(2), 231-249. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13341

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 2
Pages: 231-249

Researcher Affiliations

Karagianni, Anna E
  • The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
Lisowski, Zofia M
  • The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
Hume, David A
  • Mater Research Institute-UQ, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.
Scott Pirie, R
  • The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Macrophages
  • Mice
  • Monocytes
  • Mononuclear Phagocyte System
  • Transcriptome

Grant Funding

  • Horserace Betting Levy Board
  • The Mater Foundation

References

This article includes 272 references

Citations

This article has been cited 15 times.
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