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Pulmonary intravascular macrophages in rabbits experimentally infected with rabbit haemorrhagic disease
L Carrasco1, F Rodriguez, J Martin de las Mulas
1Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Córdoba, Spain.
Abstract:
Attention has already been drawn to the presence of pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) in species in which the lung plays an important part in the removal of particles from the bloodstream. The stimulation of PIMs under certain conditions has been related to pulmonary oedema and congestion. In order to ascertain whether these cells are found in rabbits, healthy animals were inoculated with a liver homogenate obtained from animals which had died of rabbit haemorrhagic disease, a condition characterized by vascular phenomena and pulmonary oedema. PIMs were detected both in experimental and healthy control animals. They shared the morphological characteristics reported for other species, particularly with respect to the presence of intercellular junctions with endothelial cells. In experimental animals, PIMs were actively involved in the removal of cell debris which may or may not have been associated with the presence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus antigen.
Insights
Pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) were found in rabbits, even in healthy ones. These PIMs actively cleared cell debris in experimental animals, suggesting a role in lung particle removal.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Immunology
- Pulmonary Research
Background:
- Pulmonary intravascular macrophages (PIMs) are known to be involved in particle removal from blood.
- PIM stimulation has been linked to pulmonary edema and congestion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the presence of PIMs in rabbits.
- To investigate PIMs' role in rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD).
Main Methods:
- Healthy rabbits were inoculated with liver homogenate from RHD-affected animals.
- Histological examination was performed on experimental and control rabbits.
- PIMs were identified and their characteristics observed.
Main Results:
- PIMs were detected in both healthy control and experimental rabbits.
- Rabbit PIMs exhibited intercellular junctions with endothelial cells, similar to other species.
- In experimental animals, PIMs actively cleared cell debris, some associated with RHD virus antigen.
Conclusions:
- Rabbits possess PIMs with morphology similar to other species.
- PIMs in rabbits participate in clearing cellular debris, potentially during RHD infection.