title: Increases in cytokine and antimicrobial peptide gene expression in horses by immunomodulation with Propionibacterium acnes.
abstract: Immunomodulation with Propionibacterium acnes is used for prophylaxis of respiratory disease or in horses suffering from chronic pulmonary inflammation; however, the mechanism for this response is poorly understood. Semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assays were used to evaluate gene expression of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and NK-lysin in healthy horses treated with P. acnes. Findings in the study indicated that horses treated with a P. acnes-based immunomodulator exhibited increased IFN-gamma and NK-lysin gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These results suggest that part of the immunostimulating properties of a P. acnes-based immunomodulator is derived from enhanced gene expression of the type-1 cytokine IFN-gamma and NK-lysin, an antimicrobial peptide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Bonnie R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Rush
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Blecha
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006736:Horses / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000235:genetics; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000235:genetics; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011425:Propionibacterium acnes / Q000276:immunology*; D011510:Proteolipids / Q000235:genetics*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; C093238:NK-lysin; D011510:Proteolipids; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D003208:Concanavalin A; D016753:Interleukin-10; D007371:Interferon-gamma