Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
Epithelial Cell Infection Analyses with Shigella
Published on: February 9, 2024
Neutrophil kinetics of Shigella infection in Macaca mulatta (Rhesus macaques)
Ziyuan He1,2, Brandon J Beddingfield2,3, Harriet Hammond4
1Division of Immunology, Tulane National Biomedical Research Center, Covington, LA, United States.
Introduction:
Neutrophil migration is a hallmark of acute inflammation and represents a key component of the early innate immune response to bacterial infection. We previously demonstrated the ability to track neutrophil movement from bone marrow to blood and subsequently to tissues using 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) pulse labeling in healthy adult rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), observing a consistent pattern of neutrophil kinetics during homeostasis.
Methods:
In this study, we extend our analyses to investigate the kinetics of neutrophil movement during acute inflammatory responses using Shigella sonnei, the causative agent of bacillary dysentery, as a model for acute bacterial infection. Twelve adult rhesus macaques were divided into three groups and challenged with varying doses of S. sonnei via gastric-oral lavage.
Results:
BrdU labeling revealed significant neutrophil consumption from blood into tissues and replenishment from bone marrow to blood as early as three days post-challenge, with a transient increase in neutrophil counts in blood at day nine post-challenge. Moreover, the extent of neutrophil kinetic changes correlated with the doses of S. sonnei.
Discussion:
These findings suggest that BrdU-labeled neutrophil kinetics provide valuable insights into neutrophil dynamics in vivo. This knowledge can be crucial for future studies that monitor acute inflammatory responses to infectious agents using nonhuman primate models. Additionally, it may aid in understanding the mechanisms of disease development and in creating effective intervention strategies.
Insights
Neutrophil kinetics during bacterial infection were tracked using 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling in rhesus macaques. BrdU labeling revealed neutrophil consumption and replenishment dynamics correlating with Shigella sonnei infection doses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Disease
- Primate Models
Background:
- Neutrophil migration is crucial for acute inflammation and innate immune response to bacterial infections.
- Previous studies established methods for tracking neutrophil movement using 5-bromo-2 '-deoxyuridine (BrdU) pulse labeling in healthy rhesus macaques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate neutrophil kinetics during acute inflammatory responses using Shigella sonnei as a model.
- To extend previous analyses of neutrophil movement to an infection model.
Main Methods:
- Twelve adult rhesus macaques were divided into three groups.
- Groups were challenged with varying doses of Shigella sonnei via gastric-oral lavage.
- Neutrophil kinetics were tracked using BrdU pulse labeling.
Main Results:
- Significant neutrophil consumption from blood into tissues and replenishment from bone marrow to blood were observed as early as three days post-challenge.
- A transient increase in blood neutrophil counts occurred at day nine post-challenge.
- The extent of neutrophil kinetic changes correlated with Shigella sonnei dose.
Conclusions:
- BrdU-labeled neutrophil kinetics offer valuable insights into in vivo neutrophil dynamics.
- This knowledge is crucial for future studies monitoring inflammatory responses to infectious agents in nonhuman primate models.
- Findings may aid in understanding disease mechanisms and developing intervention strategies.
