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Published on: February 23, 2018
Altered surface antigen expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells in cats infected with feline
1Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection in cats increases circulating immune cells like IL-2R alpha+ and MHC-II+ cells. However, these cells show reduced responsiveness to stimulation, suggesting FIV-induced T-cell unresponsiveness.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is an important pathogen in domestic cats.
- Understanding FIV's impact on the immune system is crucial for managing the disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of immune markers (CD4, CD8, IL-2R alpha, MHC-II) in cats infected with FIV.
- To assess the functional response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to stimulation in FIV-infected cats.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze cell surface marker expression (CD4, CD8, IL-2R alpha, MHC-II) on PBMCs.
- Concanavalin A (Con A) stimulation was employed to evaluate the responsiveness of PBMCs.
Main Results:
- FIV-infected cats showed a slight decrease in the CD4/CD8 T cell ratio, though not statistically significant.
- Increased numbers of circulating IL-2R alpha+ and MHC-II+ cells were observed in FIV-infected cats.
- Con A-induced IL-2R alpha expression was depressed in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations of FIV-infected cats, both in vivo and in vitro.
Conclusions:
- FIV infection activates PBMCs in vivo, potentially through direct or indirect mechanisms.
- This activation leads to an unresponsive state of T cells to further in vitro stimuli.
- The findings suggest a complex interplay between FIV and the feline immune system, leading to immune dysfunction.
Abstract:
Expression of CD4, CD8, IL-2 receptor alpha chain (IL-2R alpha), and MHC class II (MHC-II) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells were examined in cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). CD4/CD8 T cell ratio in FIV-infected cats was slightly decreased, as compared with that in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) cats. However, there was no statistical differences between them. The number of circulating IL-2R alpha+ cells in FIV-infected cats was higher than that in healthy cats, whereas induction of IL-2R alpha expression by concanavalin A (Con A) stimulation was depressed in FIV-infected cats. By using two-color cytofluorometry, Con A-induced enhancement of IL-2R alpha expression was found to be reduced in both CD4+ and CD8+ populations in PBMC from FIV-infected cats. The circulating MHC-II+ cells were also increased in FIV-infected cats. Furthermore, the induction of IL-2R alpha expression on PBMC after Con A-stimulation significantly depressed by FIV inoculation in vitro. These results suggest that FIV activates PBMC in vivo via direct and/or indirect mechanisms, leading to the unresponsive state of T cells to further stimuli in vitro.
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