Phenotypic characterisation of the cellular immune infiltrate in placentas of cattle following experimental inoculation with Neospora caninum in late gestation |
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| Authors: | Germán J Cantón Frank Katzer Julio Benavides-Silván Stephen W Maley Javier Palarea-Albaladejo Yvonne Pang Sionagh Smith Paul M Bartley Mara Rocchi Elisabeth A Innes Francesca Chianini |
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| Institution: | 1.Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik EH26 0PZ, UK;2.Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), EEA, Balcarce CC276, Argentina;3.Instituto de Ganadería de Montaña (CSIC-ULE), León 24346, Spain;4.Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland, Edinburgh EH9 3JZ, UK;5.Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK |
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| Abstract: | Despite Neospora caninum being a major cause of bovine abortion worldwide, its pathogenesis is not completely understood. Neospora infection stimulates host cell-mediated immune responses, which may be responsible for the placental damage leading to abortion. The aim of the current study was to characterize the placental immune response following an experimental inoculation of pregnant cattle with N. caninum tachyzoites at day 210 of gestation. Cows were culled at 14, 28, 42 and 56 days post inoculation (dpi). Placentomes were examined by immunohistochemistry using antibodies against macrophages, T-cell subsets (CD4, CD8 and γδ), NK cells and B cells. Macrophages were detected mainly at 14 days post inoculation. Inflammation was generally mild and mainly characterized by CD3+, CD4+ and γδ T-cells; whereas CD8+ and NK cells were less numerous. The immune cell repertoire observed in this study was similar to those seen in pregnant cattle challenged with N. caninum at early gestation. However, cellular infiltrates were less severe than those seen during first trimester Neospora infections. This may explain the milder clinical outcome observed when animals are infected late in gestation. |
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