The innate immune response in calves to Boophilus microplus tick transmitted Babesia bovis involves type-1 cytokine induction and NK-like cells in the spleen.
The innate immune response to Babesia bovis infection in cattle is age-related, spleen-dependent and, in stabilate inoculated calves, has type-1 characteristics, including the early induction of IL-12 and IFN-gamma. In this study with three calves, parameters of innate immunity were followed for 2 weeks after tick transmission of B. bovis. Each calf survived the acute disease episode without drug intervention, and responded with increased levels of plasma interferon-gamma and type-1 cytokine expression, monocyte/macrophage activation, and CD8+ cellular proliferation in the spleen. The proliferating CD8+ population consisted primarily of NK-like cells, and the expansion occurred in parallel with an increase in IL-15 mRNA expression in the spleen.
Goff
W L
WL
Animal Disease Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Pullman, WA 99164-6630, USA. wgoff@vetmed.wsu.edu
Johnson
W C
WC
Horn
R H
RH
Barrington
G M
GM
Knowles
D P
DP
D000818:Animals; D001096:Arachnid Vectors / Q000469:parasitology; D016793:Babesia bovis; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000235:genetics; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000469:parasitology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D019409:Interleukin-15; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma