Abstract
Production of the Th1 cytokine interferon gamma (IFNγ) is associated with resistance to intracellular pathogens, including Rhodococcus equi. While neonatal foals are initially deficient in IFNγ production, expression of this cytokine increases throughout their first year of life. This is presumably the result of stimulation by environmental antigens including pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPS) signaling through toll-like receptors (TLR). This increased expression of IFNγ is likewise associated with an age-related resistance to R. equi infection. While immunostimulants containing PAMPS have been administered to adult horses in an attempt to modify their immune response, the effect of these materials on IFNγ expression in foals is unknown. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of administering a commercial immunomostimulant (EqStim® (Propionibacterium acnes) on IFNγ production measured using intracellular staining (IFNγ) and RT-PCR.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 124-127 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology |
| Volume | 141 |
| Issue number | 1-2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 15 2011 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Funding for this project was provided by the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation. TLS was supported by a Fort Dodge Animal Health graduate fellowship. The assistance of the Veterinary Science Farm crew and Mr. Lynn Ennis was greatly appreciated.
Keywords
- Cytokine
- Horse
- Immunostimulant
- Neonate
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology
- Veterinary (all)