Detection of equine herpesvirus-specific effector and memory cytotoxic immunity in the equine upper respiratory tract.
Immunological protection of horses from equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection and disease depends on the cooperation of virus-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. EHV-specific mucosal immunity may be an important component of such immune responses. This study demonstrates the induction of anti-EHV cytotoxic cellular immune responses in various mucosal and systemic lymphoid tissues associated with the upper respiratory tract (URT) of the horse. Four young horses (1-2 years of age) were inoculated intranasally with the Army 183 strain of EHV-1 and euthanized 1 week later. One untreated foal served as a non-infected control. Mucosa-associated tonsillar tissues, draining lymph nodes and PBMC were harvested. Virus-specific memory and effector cytolytic activity were individually assessed using 4 h chromium release assays, with and without in vitro restimulation with EHV-1, respectively. EHV-specific cytotoxic activity was detected ex vivo in several URT-associated mucosal lymphoid tissues of horses, particularly within the lining of the nasopharynx, a principal site of EHV-1 replication. This activity was also detected in the circulation of some horses 1 week post-challenge. Virus-specific memory cytotoxic activity was elevated in the circulation, and detectable in the draining lymph nodes of all horses following challenge infection.
Breathnach
C C
CC
M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0099, USA. cormac@uky.edu
Yeargan
M R
MR
Timoney
J F
JF
Allen
G P
GP
D000818:Animals; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D004861:Herpesvirus 1, Equid / Q000276:immunology*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D006736:Horses; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000276:immunology; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology