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Antimicrobial Effect of Zophobas morio Hemolymph against Bovine Mastitis Pathogens
Mengze Du1, Xiaodan Liu1, Jiajia Xu1
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
Abstract:
Coliforms and Staphylococcus spp. infections are the leading causes of bovine mastitis. Despite extensive research and development in antibiotics, they have remained inadequately effective in treating bovine mastitis induced by multiple pathogen infection. In the present study, we showed the protective effect of Zophobas morio (Z. morio) hemolymph on bovine mammary epithelial cells against bacterial infection. Z. morio hemolymph directly kills both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria through membrane permeation and prevents the adhesion of E. coli or the clinically isolated S. simulans strain to bovine mammary epithelial (MAC-T) cells. In addition, Z. morio hemolymph downregulates the expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family member pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, and NLRP6, as well as inhibits the secretion of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18, which attenuates E. coli or S. simulans-induced pyroptosis. Overall, our results suggest the potential role of Z. morio hemolymph as a novel therapeutic candidate for bovine mastitis.
Insights
Zophobas morio hemolymph shows promise for treating bovine mastitis. It effectively kills bacteria, prevents pathogen adhesion to mammary cells, and reduces inflammation, offering a novel therapeutic approach.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Immunology
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Bovine mastitis, caused by bacteria like coliforms and Staphylococcus, is a significant challenge in dairy farming.
- Current antibiotic treatments for bovine mastitis are often ineffective, especially against polymicrobial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of Zophobas morio (Z. morio) hemolymph against bacterial infections in bovine mammary epithelial cells.
- To explore the potential of Z. morio hemolymph as a novel therapeutic agent for bovine mastitis.
Main Methods:
- Assessing the direct antimicrobial activity of Z. morio hemolymph against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
- Evaluating the hemolymph's ability to prevent bacterial adhesion to bovine mammary epithelial (MAC-T) cells.
- Analyzing the impact of Z. morio hemolymph on inflammatory pathways, including NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis.
Main Results:
- Z. morio hemolymph demonstrated direct bactericidal activity via membrane permeation.
- The hemolymph inhibited the adhesion of E. coli and S. simulans to MAC-T cells.
- Z. morio hemolymph downregulated NLRP3, caspase-1, and NLRP6 expression, and inhibited IL-1β and IL-18 secretion, thereby attenuating pyroptosis.
Conclusions:
- Zophobas morio hemolymph exhibits significant protective effects against bacterial infections in bovine mammary cells.
- The hemolymph's antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties suggest its potential as a novel therapeutic candidate for bovine mastitis.
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