Polymorphonuclear leukocyte dysfunction associated with feline leukaemia virus infection

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) are crucial immune cells.
• Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is an immunosuppressive retrovirus affecting cats.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the chemiluminescent characteristics of PMN in FeLV-infected cats.
• To determine the effect of FeLV-infected serum and FeLV on PMN chemiluminescence.

Main Methods:

• Enrichment of peripheral blood PMN populations (>95%) from normal and FeLV-infected cats.
• Measurement of PMN chemiluminescence.
• Treatment of normal PMN with FeLV-infected cat serum and inactivated FeLV.
• Treatment of FeLV-infected cat PMN with normal serum.

Main Results:

• FeLV-infected cats showed significantly lower PMN chemiluminescence compared to normal controls (P < 0.001).
• Normal PMN treated with FeLV-infected serum exhibited a depressed chemiluminescent response.
• Increasing concentrations of FeLV-infected serum progressively suppressed chemiluminescence.
• Inactivated FeLV addition to normal PMN caused a titratable decrease in chemiluminescence.

Conclusions:

• FeLV infection markedly impairs PMN chemiluminescence in cats.
• Serum factors from FeLV-infected cats and FeLV itself contribute to PMN dysfunction.
• These findings highlight FeLV's detrimental effect on innate immune cell activity.