K E Müller — Page 2 | PubMed Health

PubMed1997

Antigen-specific immune responses in cattle with inherited beta2-integrin deficiency.

The significance of beta2-integrins for the generation of antigen-specific immune responses in vivo was studied employing the bovine model of beta2-integrin deficiency. To that end four cattle with bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) and healthy age-matched controls were immunized with tetanus toxoid (TT) and rabies virus (RV) vaccines three times in monthly intervals. In addition, two animals with BLAD and three controls received a fourth vaccination 8 months after the start of the study. Proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to the antigens TT and RV as well as specific serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) titers were determined in intervals for up to 10 months after primary vaccination. Proliferative responses of PBMC to TT and RV were substantially lower in cattle with BLAD than in controls, although PBMC from cattle with BLAD were shown to have the capacity to proliferate in the response to the mitogen concanavalin A. Occurrence of antigen-specific IgG titers was delayed and they were considerably lower in cattle with BLAD compared to controls. Finally, treatment of TT- and RV-stimulated PBMC from an immunized control with different concentrations of the anti-CD18 monoclonal antibody R15.7 resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation to almost 100%. The results of the present study show that beta2-integrin deficiency leads to delayedand severely impaired immune responsiveness in vivo. The observations that antibody production, although considerably delayed and impaired, does occur and that apparently class-switching takes place in BLAD indicate T-cell reactivity in vivo.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Identification of monoclonal antibodies with specificity to alpha- or beta-chains of beta 2-integrins using peripheral blood leucocytes of normal and bovine leucocyte adhesion deficient (BLAD) cattle.

The reactivity of monoclonal antibodies entered in the panels of the Third Workshop on Ruminant Leucocyte Antigens with lymphocytes and monocytes of normal and beta 2-integrin deficient (Bovine Leucocyte Adhesion Deficiency: BLAD) animals was determined by flow cytometry to investigate potential specificities to alpha- or beta-chains of beta 2-integrins. From the 13 monoclonal antibodies that were entered as having specificity for CD11/CD18 antigens, ten were confirmed correct, but three had reactivity with cells from BLAD animals. We conclude that our approach provides an easy way to reliably identify the majority of beta 2-integrin specific monoclonal antibodies.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Allograft rejection in cattle with bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency.

In the present investigation cell-mediated immunity in animals with bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD) was studied by means of skin transplantation experiments. Autograft and allograft behaviour in animals with BLAD was compared with the behaviour of simultaneously transplanted autografts and allografts in healthy controls. Allograft survival time was prolonged in three BLAD cattle (28, 30, and 72 days) compared to six healthy controls (12-14 days). When transplantations were repeated on one animal with BLAD using skin grafts from the same donor, accelerated rejection was observed (allograft survival time decreased from 72 days at primary to 35 days at secondary and to 21 days at tertiary transplantation), suggesting the development of immunological memory. Graft-infiltrating lymphocytes that were obtained from allograft biopsies during the period of rejection, were shown to be from recipient origin (beta 2-integrin negative). Our findings demonstrate that, although prolonged allograft survival is observed in cattle with BLAD, skin allografts are ultimately rejected.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Post-mortem findings in calves suffering from bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency (BLAD).

Five female Holstein-Friesian calves were clinically suspected of suffering from Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (BLAD), because of multiple recurrent infections and persistent leucocytosis. The diagnosis was established by a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique, by which a point mutation in the DNA encoding for the CD18 allele was detected. The animals either died spontaneously or were killed because of incurable life threatening infections. Gross post-mortem examination revealed severe and extensive necrotizing processes mainly located in the respiratory and digestive tract. Microscopic examination of these necrotizing lesions demonstrated a lack of extravascularly located polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMN) although vascular leucocytosis was obvious. However, extensive catarrhal bronchopneumonia was noticed with marked infiltration of the alveoli and bronchioli by PMN. These findings are discussed in relation to the pathogenesis of BLAD.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1994

Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency--clinical course and laboratory findings in eight affected animals.

The clinical course of Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (BLAD) in eight Holstein Friesian cattle is described. Affected animals were presented with a history of poor thriving and recurrent bacterial infections. Five of these animals had to be killed because of severe respiratory disease shortly after admittance. Three affected animals survived calfhood only as a result of frequent antibacterial treatments. At one year of age, failure to thrive and stunted growth were still evident, but infections requiring antibiotic treatments occurred only sporadically. Clinical manifestations of BLAD were found in the digestive system (gingivitis, periodontitis, alveolar periostitis, diarrhoea), the respiratory system and the skin (impaired wound healing, chronic dermatitis). A leukocytosis based on a mature neutrophilia, which persisted during infection-free periods, was observed in all animals. Granulocytes were substantially deficient of beta 2-integrin expression on their membranes. Anaemia, which was noted in four animals, may be related to the Anaemia of Inflammatory Disease Complex (AID). The serum total protein content increased with time and was associated with elevated gamma-globulin levels. We suggest that, at a certain age, animals affected with BLAD are able to cope with environmental agents due to compensatory mechanisms of the immune system.

Anemia↗

PubMed1994

Bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency--clinical course and laboratory findings in eight affected animals.

The clinical course of Bovine Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (BLAD) in eight Holstein Friesian cattle is described. Affected animals were presented with a history of poor thriving and recurrent bacterial infections. Five of these animals had to be killed because of severe respiratory disease shortly after admittance. Three affected animals survived calfhood only as a result of frequent antibacterial treatments. At one year of age, failure to thrive and stunted growth were still evident, but infections requiring antibiotic treatments occurred only sporadically. Clinical manifestations of BLAD were found in the digestive system (gingivitis, periodontitis, alveolar periostitis, diarrhoea), the respiratory system and the skin (impaired wound healing, chronic dermatitis). A leukocytosis based on a mature neutrophilia, which persisted during infection-free periods, was observed in all animals. Granulocytes were substantially deficient of beta 2-integrin expression on their membranes. Anaemia, which was noted in four animals, may be related to the Anaemia of Inflammatory Disease Complex (AID). The serum total protein content increased with time and was associated with elevated gamma-globulin levels. We suggest that, at a certain age, animals affected with BLAD are able to cope with environmental agents due to compensatory mechanisms of the immune system.

Animals↗