Cytokines gene expression patterns of bovine milk during middle and late stages of lactation.
The cytokine mRNA profiles of the bovine mammary gland were investigated using newly developed TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction systems (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA). Transcriptional activity of six cytokines, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was studied during the mid- and late-lactation stages. Transcripts for TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, and IFN-gamma were detected in all samples of both stages. However, IL-12 was only detected in 80 and 58 % of late- and mid-lactation samples, respectively. IL-12 expression was up-regulated in late lactation in comparison with the corresponding level in mid-lactation. The cytokines interaction in late lactation was more co-ordinated and their transcriptional levels were significantly correlated among each other, whereas, in mid-lactation significant correlation of the cytokines transcription was only seen with the TNF-alpha, GM-CSF, and IFN-gamma. Cytokine mRNA profiles between mid- and late lactation showed significant differences, which can be attributed to the dramatic changes that the mammary gland is subjected to during late lactation. The significant elevation of IL-12 transcriptional activity in late lactation and its relevance to the mammary gland immunity is discussed.
Alluwaimi
A M
AM
Department of Population Health and Reproduction, Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Centre, University of California, Davis, Tulare, USA. alluwaimi@kfu.edu.sa
Cullor
J S
JS
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / Q000235:genetics; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000276:immunology*; D008892:Milk / Q000276:immunology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics
D016207:Cytokines; D017931:DNA Primers; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D016178:Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases