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Isolation and In Vitro Culture of Murine and Human Alveolar Macrophages
09:09

Isolation and In Vitro Culture of Murine and Human Alveolar Macrophages

Published on: April 20, 2018

Interactions of pseudorabies virus with swine alveolar macrophages: effects of virus infection on cell functions

G Iglesias1, C Pijoan, T Molitor

  • 1Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul.

Journal of Leukocyte Biology
|May 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection impairs swine alveolar macrophage functions, including phagocytosis and superoxide release. This PRV-induced dysfunction may increase pigs' susceptibility to bacterial pneumonia.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Virology
  • Immunology
  • Swine Health

Background:

  • Swine alveolar macrophages (AM) are crucial for lung defense against pathogens.
  • Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a significant swine pathogen with potential immunomodulatory effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of PRV infection on the functional capacity of swine AM.
  • To determine if different PRV strains differentially affect AM functions.

Main Methods:

  • Swine AM were isolated and cultured.
  • Cultures were infected with six different PRV strains.
  • Key macrophage functions including viability, phagocytosis, phagosome-lysosome fusion, and superoxide release were measured post-infection.

Main Results:

  • Cell viability remained largely unaffected across PRV strains.
  • Phagocytosis of yeast and opsonized particles was reduced by certain PRV strains.
  • Phagosome-lysosome fusion was impaired by multiple PRV strains.
  • Superoxide release upon stimulation was significantly reduced in all PRV-infected cultures.

Conclusions:

  • PRV infection significantly compromises swine AM functions crucial for bacterial clearance.
  • The observed AM dysfunction suggests a mechanism contributing to increased bacterial pneumonia susceptibility in PRV-infected pigs.

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