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Published on: September 9, 2014
Methods in isolation and characterization of bovine monocytes and macrophages
F Ceciliani1, G Ávila Morales1, G De Matteis2
1Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Insights
Bovine monocytes and macrophages are key immune cells with diverse roles in cattle health and disease. This review details their functions and methods for studying them, aiding research into bovine diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Veterinary Science
Background:
- Monocytes and macrophages are crucial components of the mononuclear phagocyte system.
- These cells exhibit significant functional and structural heterogeneity.
- While similar to human counterparts, bovine monocytes/macrophages have unique characteristics and purification needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on bovine monocytes and macrophages.
- To discuss their roles in bovine physiology and pathology.
- To outline methods for their purification and functional characterization.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry for cell identification and phenotyping.
- Morphological assessments including cytology, histology, and immunohistochemistry.
- Functional assays for chemotaxis, phagocytosis, oxidative burst, apoptosis, and necrosis.
Main Results:
- Bovine monocyte and macrophage subsets exhibit distinct phenotypes and functions.
- Specific roles in diseases like tuberculosis, paratuberculosis, brucellosis, and peripartum disorders are partially understood.
- Standardized purification and characterization methods are essential for accurate study.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the roles of bovine monocytes and macrophages in health and disease.
- Improved understanding can lead to better diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for cattle.
- Standardized methodologies are critical for advancing the field of bovine immunology.
Abstract:
Monocytes and macrophages belong to the mononuclear phagocyte system and play important roles in both physiological and pathological processes. The cells belonging to the monocyte/macrophage system are structurally and functionally heterogeneous. Several subsets of monocytes have been previously identified in mammalian blood, generating different subpopulations of macrophages in tissues. Although their distribution and phenotype are similar to their human counterpart, bovine monocytes and macrophages feature differences in both functions and purification procedures. The specific roles that monocytes and macrophages fulfil in several important diseases of bovine species, including among the others tuberculosis and paratuberculosis, brucellosis or the disease related to peripartum, remain still partially elusive. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current knowledge of bovine monocytes and macrophages. We will describe methods for their purification and characterization of their major functions, including chemotaxis, phagocytosis and killing, oxidative burst, apoptosis and necrosis. An overview of the flow cytometry and morphological procedures, including cytology, histology and immunohistochemistry, that are currently utilized to describe monocyte and macrophage main populations and functions is presented as well.
