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Updated: Oct 11, 2025
Determination of Vaccine Immunogenicity Using Bovine Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells
Published on: May 19, 2023
Characterisation of dendritic cell frequency and phenotype in bovine afferent lymph reveals kinetic changes in
Sara Marzo1, Mark Gray1, Waywen Loh1
1The Roslin Institute & Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, Edinburgh, EH25 9RG, UK.
Insights
The bovine afferent lymphatic cannulation model collects lymph for ex-vivo immune cell studies. Surgical effects on immune cell populations, like reduced gamma delta T-cells, and dendritic cell activation warrant consideration in research.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Immunology
- Lymphatic System Research
- Cellular Trafficking Studies
Background:
- The bovine afferent lymphatic cannulation model is valuable for studying immune cell migration.
- Surgical procedures can potentially influence immune cell behavior, but this impact is not well-characterized.
- Understanding these influences is crucial for accurate interpretation of ex-vivo lymphatic studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of surgical cannulation and time post-surgery on lymph volume and immune cell populations in cattle.
- To assess changes in specific immune cell subsets (dendritic cells, T-cells, NK cells) and dendritic cell activation markers.
Main Methods:
- Daily collection of afferent lymph and cell counts over a two-week period.
- Flow cytometry analysis of immune cell populations (dendritic cells, αβ T-cells, γδ T-cells, NK cells) at 1, 3, and 10 days post-cannulation.
- Assessment of co-stimulatory molecule expression (CD80, CD86) on afferent lymphatic dendritic cells (ALDCs).
Main Results:
- No consistent changes in lymph volume or overall cell density were observed over time.
- A transient reduction in the percentage of γδ T-cells was noted at 1 day post-cannulation.
- Upregulation of CD80 and CD86 on CD172a+ve ALDCs early post-cannulation suggests potential activation.
Conclusions:
- The bovine afferent lymphatic cannulation model provides a viable method for collecting lymph and studying immune cell trafficking.
- Early post-cannulation changes in γδ T-cells and dendritic cell activation markers indicate a potential influence of the surgical procedure.
- Researchers should consider these procedural effects when designing experiments and interpreting results related to immune responses in the bovine lymphatic system.
Abstract:
The bovine afferent lymphatic cannulation model allows collection of large volumes of afferent lymph and provides an opportunity to study lymphatic cells trafficking from the periphery directly ex-vivo. The technique requires surgical intervention, but influence of the procedure or time post-surgery on cells trafficking in the lymph has not been well documented. Here, we measured the volume of lymph and number of cells/mL collected daily over a two week time-course. Animal to animal variability was demonstrated but no consistent changes in lymph volume or cell density were observed in relation to time post-cannulation. Cell populations (dendritic cells, αβ T-cells, γδ T-cells and NK cells) were analysed by flow cytometry at 1, 3 and 10 days post-cannulation (DPC) and a reduced percentage of γδ T-cells in afferent lymph was observed at 1 DPC. In addition, cell surface molecule expression by afferent lymphatic dendritic cells (ALDC) was assessed due to the key role of these cells in initiating an adaptive immune response. Co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 were upregulated by CD172a+ve ALDC early in the time-course, suggesting that the cannulation procedure and duration of experiment may impact the activation state of DCs in the naïve host. This should be considered when analysing the response of these cells to vaccines or pathogens.
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