title: In utero infection with PRRS virus modulates cellular functions of blood monocytes and alveolar lung macrophages in piglets.
abstract: The putative immunosuppressive effect of PRRS virus (PRRSV) on innate immune responses was studied in piglets infected in utero with PRRSV. Phagocytosis and oxidative burst capacities in 2-, 4- and 6-week-old in utero infected piglets were investigated and compared with age-matched control piglets. Phagocytic capacity of blood monocytes against Salmonella bacteria was investigated by flow cytometry. Oxidative burst in blood monocytes and in alveolar lung macrophages was investigated by luminol- and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, respectively. Decreased phagocytosis against Salmonella was found in blood monocytes from 4- and 6-week-old infected piglets compared to controls. In contrast, 2-week-old infected piglets showed phagocytic responses comparable to age matched control piglets. While oxidative burst capacity was increased in blood (PBMC) from in utero PRRSV infected piglets, the oxidative burst capacity of alveolar lung macrophages was decreased, especially in 2- and 4-week-old piglets, compared to age-matched control piglets. The present results indicate that in utero infection with PRRSV inhibits phagocytosis against Salmonella in blood monocytes as well as the oxidative burst capacity of alveolar macrophages. These observations indicate that PRRSV in utero infection induces at state of immunosuppression in piglets paving the way for enhanced secondary infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Diagnostics and Research, Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary Research, Bülowsvej 27, 1790 Copenhagen V, Denmark. ur@dfvf.dk
authors.forename: Ulla
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Riber
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lind
mesh_terms: D000166:Acridines / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008165:Luminol / Q000737:chemistry; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000276:immunology*; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000276:immunology; D019318:Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D019316:Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000276:immunology; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000166:Acridines; C033472:10,10'-dimethyl-9,9'-biacridinium; D008165:Luminol