Dairy heifers naturally exposed to Fasciola hepatica develop a type-2 immune response and concomitant suppression of leukocyte proliferation.

Graham-Brown, J ORCID: 0000-0001-7305-5262, Hartley, C, Clough, H, Kadioglu, A ORCID: 0000-0003-1137-6321, Baylis, M ORCID: 0000-0003-0335-187X and Williams, DJL ORCID: 0000-0001-8186-7236 (2018) Dairy heifers naturally exposed to Fasciola hepatica develop a type-2 immune response and concomitant suppression of leukocyte proliferation. Infection and Immunity, 86 (1). e00607-e00617.

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Abstract

Fasciola hepatica is a parasitic trematode of global importance in livestock. Control strategies reliant on anthelmintics are unsustainable due to the emergence of drug resistance. Vaccines are under development, but efficacy is variable. Evidence from experimental infection suggest vaccine efficacy may be affected by parasite-induced immunomodulation. Little is known about the immune response to F. hepatica following natural exposure. Hence we analysed the immune responses over time in calves naturally exposed to F. hepatica infection.Cohorts of replacement dairy heifer calves (n=42) with no prior exposure to F. hepatica, on three commercial dairy farms, were sampled over the course of a grazing season. Exposure was determined through F. hepatica-specific serum antibody ELISA and fluke egg counts. Concurrent changes in peripheral blood leukocyte sub-populations, lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine responses were measured. Relationships between fluke infection and immune responses were analysed using multivariable linear mixed effect models.All calves from one farm showed evidence of exposure, whilst cohorts from the remaining two farms remained negative over the grazing season. A type-2 immune response was associated with exposure, with increased interleukin (IL)-4 production, IL-5 transcription and eosinophilia. Suppression of parasite-specific PBMC proliferation was evident; while decreased mitogen stimulated IFN-γ production suggested immunomodulation, which was not restricted to parasite-specific responses. Our findings show that the global immune response is modulated towards a non-proliferative type-2 state following natural challenge with F. hepatica This has implications for vaccination programmes in terms of the timing of administration of vaccination programmes, and for host susceptibility to co-infecting pathogens.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	multivariable regression modeling, natural challenge, parasitology, veterinary immunology, veterinary vaccine development, zoonotic infections
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	04 Apr 2018 10:23
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 06:36
DOI:	10.1128/iai.00607-17
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3019777

Available Versions of this Item

• Dairy heifers naturally exposed to Fasciola hepatica develop a type-2 immune response and concomitant suppression of leukocyte proliferation. (deposited 20 Nov 2017 16:09)
  • Dairy heifers naturally exposed to Fasciola hepatica develop a type-2 immune response and concomitant suppression of leukocyte proliferation. (deposited 09 Jan 2018 11:03)
    • Dairy heifers naturally exposed to Fasciola hepatica develop a type-2 immune response and concomitant suppression of leukocyte proliferation. (deposited 04 Apr 2018 10:23) [Currently Displayed]