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Published on: July 11, 2015
Effect of bovine immunodeficiency-like virus infection on immune function in experimentally infected cattle
K Flaming1, M van der Maaten, C Whetstone
1Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Preventive Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames 50011.
Insights
Bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV) infection in cattle impacts immune responses, increasing lymphocyte blastogenesis while decreasing neutrophil function. Further research with varied BIV isolates and longer observation periods is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Immunology
- Lentivirus Research
- Bovine Diseases
Background:
- Bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV) shares similarities with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Limited research exists on BIV's effects on bovine immune function.
- Understanding BIV's impact is crucial for cattle health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effects of BIV infection on lymphocyte blastogenesis, immune cell subsets, and neutrophil function in cattle.
- To monitor hematology and clinical signs in BIV-infected cattle over time.
- To establish a baseline for future BIV research.
Main Methods:
- Three groups of cattle were inoculated with different BIV R-29 isolate preparations.
- Evaluations included lymphocyte blastogenesis, mononuclear cell subset counts, neutrophil function assays, and hematology.
- Animals were assessed at various time points post-inoculation (0-2, 4-5, and 19-27 months).
Main Results:
- BIV infection led to increased lymphocyte blastogenic response to phytohemagglutinin in later stages (4-27 months PI).
- Neutrophil antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and iodination were significantly reduced in infected cattle.
- All BIV-infected cattle remained clinically normal throughout the study period.
Conclusions:
- BIV infection modulates specific aspects of bovine cellular immunity, notably enhancing lymphocyte responses while impairing neutrophil functions.
- Clinical normality in infected animals does not preclude subclinical immune alterations.
- Further studies with diverse BIV isolates and extended observation periods are necessary to fully elucidate BIV's long-term immunological consequences.
Abstract:
Bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV) is a bovine lentivirus that has antigenic and genetic homology with the human immunodeficiency virus. Little work has been reported on the effect of BIV infection on bovine immune function. This study was designed to evaluate lymphocyte blastogenesis, mononuclear cell subset numbers, neutrophil function, hematology, and clinical signs in three groups of cattle. These groups were evaluated at 0-2 months post inoculation (PI, Group 1), 4-5 months PI (Group 2), or 19-27 months PI (Group 3). BIV infected animals were inoculated with the R-29 isolate of BIV in tissue culture cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a R-29 infected calf, or a molecular clone of the R-29 isolate. Most inoculated animals seroconverted to BIV by Western immunoblot. BIV was reisolated from most of the animals inoculated. BIV infection was associated with an increase in the lymphocyte blastogenic response to the mitogen phytohemagglutinin in Groups 2 and 3. Neutrophil antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity and neutrophil iodination were decreased (P < 0.05) in BIV infected cattle (Groups 2 and 3 and Group 3, respectively). All animals were clinically normal during the evaluation periods. Notable differences were not observed in the other assessments performed. Work with additional BIV isolates and over longer time frames is warranted.
