title: Galectins and collectinis expression are increased in Haemonchus contortus-infected corriedale sheep.
abstract: Galectins and collectins are proteins classified in the lectin family that have the ability to recognize molecular patterns associated with pathogens. Studies on cattle have demonstrated high expression of these proteins during infection with gastrointestinal nematodes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the level of Haemonchus contortus infection would alter the expression of galectins (Gal11 and Gal14) and collectins (SPA and CGN) in sheep. Twelve Corriedale sheep exposed to natural infection with nematodes were divided into two groups: group 1 (G1, n = 7) and group 2 (G2, n = 5), with low and high parasite burdens, respectively, based on fecal egg counts and abomasal parasite counts. The fecal egg counts and abomasal parasite counts were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the groups. Galectin and collectin gene expression was observed in all sheep abomasal samples. However, animals with lower infection levels showed lower expression of the genes Gal14, SPA and CGN (p < 0.05). Expression of lectins was associated with the abomasal H. contortus burden, thus suggesting that these proteins may have a role in controlling of this infection.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, BR.
authors.forename: Bárbara Maria Paraná da Silva
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, BR.
authors.forename: Sabrina Mota
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, BR.
authors.forename: Sandra Mayumi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Nishi
authors.affiliation: Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Beltsville, MD, US.
authors.forename: Magda Vieira
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Benavides
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, BR.
authors.forename: Maria Elisabeth Aires
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Berne
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, BR.
authors.forename: Claudio Roberto
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Madruga
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, BA, BR.
authors.forename: Maria Angela Ornelas de
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Almeida
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037222:Collectins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D037161:Galectins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D006188:Haemonchiasis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D006189:Haemonchus; D008297:Male; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D037222:Collectins; D037161:Galectins