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Vitamin E effects on in vitro immunoglobulin M and interleukin-1 beta production and transcription in dairy cattle
J R Stabel1, T A Reinhardt, M A Stevens
1Agricultural Research Service, National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA 50010.
Insights
Dietary vitamin E supplementation enhances bovine immune responses. Supplementing with alpha-tocopherol boosted immunoglobulin M (IgM) and maintained interleukin-1 (IL-1) production in vitro, and increased IL-1 mRNA expression in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Animal Nutrition
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Dietary vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) plays a crucial role in immune function.
- Bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are key components of the immune system.
- Understanding the impact of vitamin E on immune cell function is vital for animal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of dietary vitamin E on in vitro IgM and interleukin-1 (IL-1) production by bovine PBMCs.
- To assess the impact of vitamin E on IL-1 transcription in vivo.
- To determine the optimal timing for alpha-tocopherol supplementation to enhance immune responses.
Main Methods:
- Bovine PBMCs were isolated and stimulated with pokeweed mitogen (PWM) to induce polyclonal IgM production.
- Alpha-tocopherol was added to cell cultures at various concentrations and time points.
- Interleukin-1 production was measured in culture supernatants.
- Interleukin-1 mRNA expression was analyzed in PBMCs from steers with differing in vivo vitamin E statuses.
Main Results:
- In vitro addition of alpha-tocopherol significantly enhanced IgM production when added early in the culture period (0, 24, or 48 hours).
- Interleukin-1 secretion was maintained in alpha-tocopherol supplemented cultures at 48 hours, unlike in control cultures.
- Steers fed diets supplemented with vitamin E exhibited a 55% increase in interleukin-1 mRNA expression compared to control steers.
Conclusions:
- Early supplementation with alpha-tocopherol can enhance bovine IgM production in vitro.
- Vitamin E supplementation supports sustained interleukin-1 secretion and upregulates its gene expression in vivo.
- Dietary vitamin E is important for maintaining and enhancing bovine immune function.
Abstract:
Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of dietary vitamin E on in vitro IgM and interleukin-1 production and its transcription by bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Cells were isolated from Jersey cows and cultured with pokeweed mitogen, a T-cell-dependent, B-lymphocyte mitogen, to stimulate polyclonal IgM production. Addition of 55 and 110 ng/ml of alpha-tocopherol at time 0 to cell cultures containing pokeweed mitogen significantly enhanced IgM production compared with control cultures containing pokeweed mitogen alone. Cultures supplemented with 55 ng/ml of alpha-tocopherol at 0, 24, or 48 h after incubation with mitogen had enhanced IgM production compared with control cultures incubated for the same duration. However, addition of alpha-tocopherol to cultures at 72 and 96 h did not affect IgM production. Production of interleukin-1 in culture supernatants obtained 24 h after stimulation with pokeweed mitogen was similar between control cultures and cultures supplemented with alpha-tocopherol. At 48 h, secretion of interleukin-1 was maintained in the supplemented cultures but declined in control cultures. Mononuclear cells obtained from steers receiving vitamin E supplement or control steers were used to examine the effects of in vivo vitamin E status on interleukin-1 mRNA expression. Concanavalin A-stimulated cells from Jersey steers fed diets supplemented with vitamin E expressed 55% higher interleukin-1 mRNA than cells from control steers.
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