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Activation of murine macrophages and lymphocytes by Ureaplasma diversum
A Chelmonska-Soyta1, R B Miller, L Ruhnke
1Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, University of Guelph, Ontario.
Abstract:
Ureaplasma diversum is a pathogen in the bovine reproductive tract. The objective of the research was to study interactions with macrophages and lymphocytes which might elucidate aspects of pathogenetic mechanisms of this organism. We studied the activation of murine macrophages of C3H/HeN (LPS-responder) and C3H/HeJ (LPS-low-responder) genotype for TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1 and nitric oxide production and blastogenic response of C3H/HeJ splenocytes after Ureaplasma diversum stimulation. Live and heat-killed U. diversum induced TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-1 in peritoneal macrophage cultures of both C3H/HeN and C3H/HeJ mice in a dose dependent manner. Interferon-gamma modulated the cytokine production, by increasing the production of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and nitric oxide, but IL-1 secretion was only enhanced in C3H/HeJ macrophages stimulated by live ureaplasmas. Supernatant of U. diversum sonicate was mitogenic for murine spleen lymphocytes. The blastogenic response was dose dependent, and stimulation with both U. diversum and Concanavalin A seemed to have an additive effect. These results suggest that U. diversum, similar to other mycoplasmas, activates murine macrophages and lymphoid cells. The studies should be repeated with bovine cells in order to elucidate pathogenetic aspects of inflammation in cattle caused by U. diversum.
Insights
Ureaplasma diversum activates immune cells like macrophages and lymphocytes in mice. Further research with bovine cells is needed to understand its role in cattle reproductive tract infections.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Immunology
- Microbiology
- Bovine Reproductive Health
Background:
- Ureaplasma diversum is a known pathogen affecting the bovine reproductive tract.
- Understanding its interaction with host immune cells is crucial for elucidating pathogenetic mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the activation of murine macrophages and lymphocytes by Ureaplasma diversum.
- To explore the production of key cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-1) and nitric oxide.
- To assess the mitogenic effects on splenocytes.
Main Methods:
- Murine peritoneal macrophages from LPS-responder (C3H/HeN) and LPS-low-responder (C3H/HeJ) mice were stimulated with live and heat-killed U. diversum.
- Cytokine and nitric oxide production was measured.
- Splenocyte blastogenic response to U. diversum sonicate was evaluated.
- Interferon-gamma modulation was assessed.
Main Results:
- Live and heat-killed U. diversum induced dose-dependent production of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-1 in macrophages from both mouse genotypes.
- Interferon-gamma enhanced TNF-alpha, IL-6, and nitric oxide production.
- U. diversum sonicate demonstrated a dose-dependent mitogenic effect on murine spleen lymphocytes, with an additive effect when combined with Concanavalin A.
Conclusions:
- Ureaplasma diversum activates murine macrophages and lymphoid cells, similar to other mycoplasmas.
- These findings suggest potential immune evasion or modulation strategies by the pathogen.
- Further studies using bovine cells are recommended to clarify the pathogenesis of U. diversum-induced inflammation in cattle.