Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2026
The Utilization of Oropharyngeal Intratracheal PAMP Administration and Bronchoalveolar Lavage to Evaluate the Host Immune Response in Mice
Published on: April 2, 2014
Relationship Between Expression of Interleukin-5 and Interleukin-13 by Epithelial Cells and Bronchiolar Changes in
F Rodríguez1, M Batista1, J N Hernández1
1Institute for Animal Health, Veterinary School, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Tramontaña S/N, Arucas, Gran Canaria, Spain.
Abstract:
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mh) is a bacterium that specifically infects the surface of bronchi and bronchioles of pigs without invading the host cells, and it is considered to be the primary agent of porcine enzootic pneumonia (PEN). The present study investigates the morphological and immunohistological changes induced in bronchiolar epithelium by Mh infection. Lungs from 20 pigs with naturally occurring Mh pneumonia were compared with those from 10 uninfected controls. Bronchiolar epithelial height, inflammatory infiltration, hyperplasia of bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) and mucin subtype MUC5AC-producing cells significantly increased in all infected animals. Mh antigen was detected in association with the cilia of the bronchial and bronchiolar epithelium. Interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 were expressed consistently by epithelial and mononuclear cells of the airways of infected animals. The expression of these cytokines in the bronchial and bronchiolar tissues is related to the histological changes of PEN.
Insights
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mh) causes porcine enzootic pneumonia (PEN) by infecting pig airways. This infection leads to increased inflammation, cell changes, and specific cytokine production in the bronchioles.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Bacterial Infections
- Swine Respiratory Diseases
Background:
- Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mh) is the primary cause of porcine enzootic pneumonia (PEN).
- Mh colonizes the respiratory epithelium of pigs without intracellular invasion.
- Understanding the host-pathogen interaction is crucial for managing PEN.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the morphological and immunohistological alterations in the bronchiolar epithelium caused by Mh infection.
- To correlate observed changes with the presence of Mh and host immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of lung tissues from 20 pigs with naturally occurring Mh pneumonia and 10 uninfected controls.
- Histopathological examination including epithelial height and inflammatory cell infiltration.
- Immunohistochemical detection of Mh antigen and cytokine expression (IL-5, IL-13).
Main Results:
- Significant increases in bronchiolar epithelial height, inflammatory infiltration, and MUC5AC-producing cells in infected pigs.
- Detection of Mh antigen on the cilia of bronchial and bronchiolar epithelium.
- Consistent expression of Interleukin (IL)-5 and IL-13 by airway cells in infected animals.
Conclusions:
- Mh infection induces significant histopathological changes in the pig bronchiolar epithelium.
- The expression of IL-5 and IL-13 is associated with the observed inflammatory and cellular changes in PEN.
- These findings highlight the role of specific cytokines in the pathogenesis of porcine enzootic pneumonia.
More Related Videos
07:43A Non-invasive and Technically Non-intensive Method for Induction and Phenotyping of Experimental Bacterial Pneumonia in Mice
Published on: September 28, 2016
08:16An IL-8 Transiently Transgenized Mouse Model for the In Vivo Long-term Monitoring of Inflammatory Responses
Published on: July 7, 2017
