Effect of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus infection on bovine alveolar macrophage function

Bovine alveolar macrophages isolated in culture were assessed for immunological activity in assays for Fc and complement receptors, for phagocytosis, and for effector cell function in antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity. In the case of uninfected alveolar macrophages, Fc receptors were detected on approximately 94% of macrophages and complement receptors were detected on 39%. Phagocytosis of immunoglobulin G-coated sheep erythrocytes occurred in 58% of macrophages, and phagocytosis of opsonized Candida parapsilosis, mediated by the complement receptor, was observed in 68% of cells. Alveolar macrophages were efficient effector cells in antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity. Infection of macrophages with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus resulted in reductions in Fc-mediated receptor activity and phagocytosis after approximately 12 and 6 h, respectively. Complement receptor activity was initially elevated and then markedly reduced. Macrophages retrieved from IBR-immune and -susceptible donors were affected to a similar extent. The ability of macrophages to participate in antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity was reduced dramatically from 2 h after IBR virus infection, suggesting that IBR virus-infected alveolar macrophages undergo alterations in immunological activity long before morphological changes in the cells become apparent.