title: Expression of molecular markers in blood of neonatal foals with sepsis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine gene expression of selected molecular markers (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, interleukin [IL]-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, procalcitonin [PCT], and transforming growth factor [TGF]-beta) in the blood of healthy and sick foals.
  
  
  METHODS
  28 sick foals without sepsis, 21 foals with sepsis, and 21 healthy foals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total RNA was extracted from blood samples and converted into complementary DNA (cDNA). Gene expression was measured for the molecular markers by use of real-time PCR assay, and final quantitation was performed with the comparative threshold cycle method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Samples from all foals yielded transcription for all markers. Expression of TNF-alpha and TGF-beta was significantly lower and that of IL-8 significantly greater in the sick-nonseptic and septic groups, compared with the healthy group. No significant difference in expression of IL-1beta, IL-6, and PCT was found between the healthy group and the 2 sick groups. Expression of IL-10 was significantly greater in nonsurvivors, compared with survivors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cytokine profile in foals with sepsis may suggest an immunosuppressive state. Expression of IL-10 may be a marker for identification of foals with a guarded prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pusterla
authors.forename: K Gary
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Magdesian
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mapes
authors.forename: Christian M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Leutenegger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D006736:Horses; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018805:Sepsis / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D011498:Protein Precursors; D002116:Calcitonin