Effect of stress on interleukin-2 receptor expression by bovine mononuclear leukocytes.
Holstein calves given three consecutive i.m. injections of dexamethasone (DEX) (0.04 mg kg-1) showed lymphopenia and neutrophilia with increased numbers of mature neutrophils on post-injection Days 1 and 2, but these values returned to normal levels by post-injection Day 3. Interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) expression by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was evaluated by flow cytometry using a monoclonal antibody specific for bovine IL-2R alpha. Treatment with DEX significantly decreased expression of IL-2R alpha in Concanavalin A (Con A)-activated PBMC on Day 1 (P < 0.02) and on Day 2 (P < 0.1). On Day 3, expression of IL-2R alpha by PBMC was similar in control and DEX-treated calves. This decrease in IL-2R alpha expression correlated with decreased proliferative responses of PBMC to the T-cell mitogens, phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and Con A. Following in vitro treatment with recombinant human (rhu) interleukin-12 (IL-12) Con A-induced proliferative responses of PBMC tended to be higher in both groups. However, the rhu IL-12 induced increase of Con A activated proliferative responses were significantly greater in DEX-treated calves than in control calves. IL-2R alpha expression by PBMC was found to be less in calves transported 800 km in a truck as compared to that in PBMC from controls. These data suggest that stress-induced immunosuppression in calves may involve decreased IL-2R alpha expression and decreased IL-12 production. Serum chemistry results indicated a trend toward higher creatine kinase (CK) levels in DEX-treated calves. This may be due to the lysis of corticosteroid sensitive lymphocytes.
Lan
H C
HC
Department of Microbiology and Pathology, Tuskegee University, AL 36088, USA.
Reddy
P G
PG
Chambers
M A
MA
Walker
G
G
Srivastava
K K
KK
Ferguson
J A
JA
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000662:veterinary; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000494:pharmacology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary; D008934:Mitogens; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D008934:Mitogens; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D018664:Interleukin-12; D003907:Dexamethasone; D003402:Creatine Kinase