Hapten contact hypersensitivity (CHS) elicits a well-documented inflammation response that can be used to illustrate training of immune cells through hapten-specific CHS memory. The education of ...hapten-specific memory T cells has been well-established, recent research in mice has expanded the "adaptive" characteristic of a memory response from solely a function of the adaptive immune system, to innate cells as well. To test whether similar responses are seen in a non-rodent model, we used hapten-specific CHS to measure the ear inflammation response of outbred pigs to dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB), oxazolone (OXA), or vehicle controls. We adapted mouse innate memory literature protocols to the domestic pig model. Animals were challenged up to 32 days post initial sensitization exposure to the hapten, and specific ear swelling responses to this challenge were significant for 7, 21, and 32 days post-sensitization. We established hapten-specific CHS memory exists in a non-rodent model. We also developed a successful protocol for demonstrating these CHS responses in a porcine system.
Increased serum levels of inflammatory mediators have been associated with numerous disease states including atherosclerosis, Type II diabetes, hypertension, depression, and overall mortality. We ...hypothesized that a long-term exercise intervention among older adults would reduce serum inflammatory cytokines, and this reduction would be mediated, in part, by improvements in psychosocial factors and/or by β-adrenergic receptor mechanisms. Adults ⩾age 64 were randomly assigned to either an aerobic exercise treatment (CARDIO) or a flexibility/strength exercise treatment (FLEX) 3 days/week, 45
min/day for 10 months. A subgroup of subjects treated with non-selective β
1β
2 adrenergic antagonists were included to evaluate the potential role of β-adrenergic receptor adaptations as mediators of an exercise-induced change in inflammation. The inflammatory mediators C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and IL-18 and the psychosocial factors (depression, perceived stress, optimism, sense of coherence, and social support) were measured pre- and post-intervention. The CARDIO treatment resulted in significant reductions in serum CRP, IL-6, and IL-18 compared to the FLEX treatment (significant treatment
×
time interaction,
p
<
.05), whereas TNFα declined in both groups (main effect of time,
p
=
.001). However, several psychosocial factors (depression, optimism, and sense of coherence) improved in both groups suggesting that the reduction of CRP, IL-6, and IL-18 in the CARDIO group was not mediated by improvements in psychosocial scores. With respect to the potential role of β-adrenergic receptors, both CARDIO subjects treated with β-adrenergic antagonists and those who were not treated with those medications demonstrated similar reductions in serum CRP, IL-6, IL-18, and TNFα. In summary, we have observed that an aerobic exercise intervention can significantly reduce serum inflammatory mediators, but β-adrenergic receptors and psychosocial factors do not appear to be involved.
Daidzein and genistein glucuronides (DG and GG), major isoflavone metabolites, may be partly responsible for biological effects of isoflavones, such as estrogen receptor binding and natural killer ...cell (NK) activation or inhibition. DG and GG were synthesized using 3-methylcholanthrene-induced rat liver microsomes. The K(m) and V(max) for daidzein and genistein were 9.0 and 7.7 micromole/L, and 0.7 and 1.6 micromole/(mg protein . min), respectively. The absence of ultraviolet absorbance maxima shifts in the presence of sodium acetate confirmed that the synthesized products were 7-O-glucuronides. DG and GG were further purified by a Sephadex LH-20 column. DG and GG competed with the binding of 17 beta-(3H) estradiol to estrogen receptors of B6D2F1 mouse uterine cytosol. The concentrations required for 50% displacement of 17 beta-(3H) estradiol (CB50) were: 17 beta-estradiol, 1.34 nmol/L; diethylstilbestrol, 1.46 nmol/L; daidzein, 1.6 micromole/L; DG, 14.7 micromole/L; genistein, 0.154 micromole/L; GG, 7.27 micromole/L. In human peripheral blood NK cells, genistein at <0.5 micromole/L and DG and GG at 0.1-10 micromole/L enhanced NK cell-mediated K562 cancer cell killing significantly (P < 0.05). At > 0.5 micromole/L, genistein inhibited NK cytotoxicity significantly (P < 0.05). The glucuronides only inhibited NK cytotoxicity at 50 micromole/L. Isoflavones, and especially the isoflavone glucuronides, enhanced activation of NK cells by interleukin-2 (IL-2), additively. At physiological concentrations, DG and GG were weakly estrogenic, and they activated human NK cells in nutritionally relevant concentrations in vitro, probably at a site different from IL-2 action.
Decreases in immune responsiveness with age contribute to the increased incidence and severity of infectious disease among elderly adults. The immune response to immunization also decreases with ...advancing age. Lifestyle factors (exercise, diet) have been established to play an important role in immunosenescence, and the practice of "healthy" behavior may minimize the age-associated decline of immune function. The objective of this study was to determine whether exercise, diet, and psychosocial factors were associated with altered immune response to influenza vaccine.
Adults aged 62 years and older were categorized into one of three groups: active (> or =20 min vigorous exercise three or more times per week), moderately active (regular exercise but with less intensity, frequency, and/or duration), or sedentary (no exercise). Two weeks postimmunization, serum was frozen for antibody analysis, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were cultured in vitro with influenza vaccine to elicit antigen-specific responses (proliferation and cytokine IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-10 production). Cytokines and antibody were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
The results demonstrated that anti-influenza IgG and IgM were greater in active as compared with moderately active or sedentary participants. PBMC proliferation was lowest in sedentary subjects. Perceived stress was a significant predictor of IL-2. Greater optimism and social activity were associated with greater IL-10. Daily multivitamin intake was significantly correlated with IL-2.
These results suggest that lifestyle factors including exercise may influence immune response to influenza immunization. The practice of regular, vigorous exercise was associated with enhanced immune response following influenza vaccination in older adults.
Sows subjected to prenatal stress have been found to produce offspring that have altered responses to stress. Our objective was to determine if exposing a sow to stress would alter the response of ...the offspring to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 2 mo of age or their response to mixing stress at 4 mo of age. Sow treatments consisted of intravenous injections of ACTH (1 IU/kg of BW), exposure to rough handling for a 10-min duration (rough), or no treatment (control) once per week from d 42 to 77 of gestation. At 2 mo of age, pigs from each treatment, 1 per litter (n = 21, 17, and 15 for the ACTH, rough, and control treatments, respectively), were challenged with 2 μg of LPS/kg of BW or saline, or served as a noninjected control. Their behavioral response to a human approach test and salivary cortisol were measured. At 4 mo of age, 1 pig from each treatment (n = 14, 14, and 15 for the ACTH, rough, and control treatments, respectively) was taken from its home pen and placed in a pen of unfamiliar pigs. At this time, a punch biopsy wound (6 x 6 mm) was created to measure the ability of the pig to heal the wound. At this same time, each pig received a 1-mL intramuscular injection of 20% ovine red blood cells (oRBC), and then a second injection of oRBC at 21 d postmixing. Blood samples were collected 3 times per week for 2 wk and then once a week for 4 more weeks. Blood samples were analyzed for cortisol, porcine corticosteroid-binding globulin, antibody response to oRBC, and nitric oxide production by macrophages. Behavior was recorded during the first 5 d after mixing. All pigs in the LPS challenge responded with characteristic sickness behavior; however, pigs in the rough treatment showed less sickness behavior than those in the other 2 treatments (P < 0.05). Maternal stress treatment did not affect (P < 0.43) salivary cortisol. Pigs from all treatments responded similarly to mixing stress with regard to cortisol, porcine corticosteroid-binding globulin, antibody titers, nitric oxide production, and hematology measures, and all pigs experienced the same amount of aggression in response to mixing. Without altering peripheral measures of stress responsivity, prenatal stress enhanced the ability of pigs to cope with a simulated immune challenge, which could prove to be an adaptation to challenging environments.
Immune function (response to concanavalin A, cytokine production, and lymphocyte profiles) and blood chemistry variables were measured in growing-finishing pigs (Yorkshire/Landrace/Duroc dam x ...Hampshire sire) fed varying percentages of CLA (0, 0.12, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.0%). Blood was collected at 0, 14, 28, 42, and 56 d on feed (DOF). Total white blood cell (WBC) count increased (P < 0.01) linearly to 42 DOF. No differences (P = 0.53) were observed for WBC across CLA treatment. Nitric oxide was greater (P < 0.01) for the 1.0% CLA treatment compared with all other treatments. Flow cytometry using fluorescent labeled monoclonal antibodies to the CD4, CD8, double-positive CD4/CD8, and CD2 surface markers was used to determine lymphocyte subpopulations. Supplementation of CLA had no effect (P = 0.61) on lymphocyte subpopulation cell distribution. Most blood chemistry variables were within the normal metabolic range for pigs. A decrease was observed over DOF for P (P < 0.01) and K (P < 0.05). Additionally, Na and Cl concentrations increased (P < 0.05) from 14 to 28 DOF and decreased over the remainder of the trial. Electrolyte balance was not different (P = 0.38) across CLA treatments and was likely explained by no differences in feed intake among the CLA treatment groups. Blood lipid variables indicated that total cholesterol (P < 0.001), triglycerides (P < 0.001), high-density lipoproteins (P < 0.001), and low-density lipoproteins (P < 0.01) increased as the amount of CLA in the diet increased, but none of the results from these treatments exceeded the normal range of acceptability. These results suggested that CLA was safe when fed to growing-finishing pigs and had little effect on their immune function and blood chemistry variables.
An abstract of a study by Huff-Lonergan et al providing guidance and continuity in the peer evaluation of teaching process in a large animal science program is presented. Outcomes and impacts of ...implementation of this protocol have not only yielded improvement of classroom teaching practices (via student course evaluation improvement) and exchange of ideas, but also increased faculty relationships and collaboration. Additionally, anecdotal improvement of overall course content, especially amongst related courses or courses within a series or sequence was mentioned. A coordinated, transparent protocol that assesses not only classroom performance but course content can be an effective tool for both class delivery and instruction as well as curricular improvements.
The primary goal of this study was to determine whether exercise-associated improvements of the immune response to influenza vaccination were mediated by improvements in psychosocial factors in older ...adults. At baseline, prior to the exercise intervention, older adult participants were immunized with influenza vaccine. Blood samples collected pre-immunization, 1, 4, and 12 weeks post-immunization were analyzed for anti-influenza antibody, whereas influenza-specific cytokine (IFNγ) was evaluated at 1 week post-immunization. Depression and sense of coherence were measured pre-immunization. Four weeks post-immunization, participants were randomly assigned to either an aerobic exercise group (
n
=
14) or a control group (
n
=
14). After a 10-month exercise intervention, the immunization, blood collections, and psychosocial measures were repeated. At the post-intervention evaluation, exercise participants had improved scores on depression and sense of coherence. Also post-intervention, exercise participants had a greater increase in antibody and IFNγ production. After controlling for the effect of both psychosocial measures, the exercise treatment remained significant with respect to antibody titer suggesting that the increases in antibody were not mediated by improvement in the psychosocial factors. In contrast, the enhancement of IFNγ appeared to be mediated at least in part by the psychosocial factors. After controlling for psychosocial factors, exercise treatment was no longer significantly related to the change in IFNγ. Taken together, our findings may suggest that the mechanism(s) of exercise-induced improvement in immunocompetence involve both physiological and psychological pathways.
Exposing a pregnant sow to stress has been shown to affect the resulting offspring. Our objective was to determine if rough handling of pregnant sows altered the physiology of her offspring and if ...these alterations were different from an experimentally induced model of prenatal stress. Sow treatments consisted of i.v. injections of ACTH (1 IU/kg of BW), exposure to rough handling for 10 min (Rough), or no treatment (Control) once a week during d 42 to 77 of gestation. To determine the plasma cortisol response to treatments, blood (5 mL) was collected from 30 sows after treatment administration. To conduct the prenatal stress study, a separate group of 56 sows was used in 1 of 4 replicates. At birth, production data were collected for each litter, including birth weight, number born, anogenital distance, and pig viability. At weaning, pigs were blocked by BW and sex, and placed in a nursery pen of 6 pigs, with 2 pigs from each treatment group. To assess the effect of treatments on cortisol, corticoste-roid-binding globulin (CBG), and hematological cell profiles, blood was collected every other day for 10 d after weaning. Application of treatments caused plasma cortisol concentrations to be greatest in ACTH sows compared with Control sows (P < 0.001), with Rough sows having intermediate values (P = 0.07). Treatments did not affect the number of pigs born, number of stillborn, or pig viability (P > 0.40). The ratio of cortisol to CBG did not differ between treatments (P = 0.09). Hematological variables did not differ between treatments (P > 0.19). Pigs born to ACTH sows had a smaller anogenital distance compared with controls (P < 0.03), with pigs from Rough sows being intermediate. Our data indicate that swine exposed to prenatal stress (ACTH injection) can have alterations in sexual morphology without effects on growth or the immune cell populations measured in this study.
PDF
