Agnieszka Jasiecka

Prostaglandin E2 down-regulates the expression of CD25 on bovine T cells, and this effect is mediated through the EP4 receptor

A crucial event in the initiation of an immune response is the activation of T cells, which requires IL-2 binding to its high-affinity IL-2 receptor for optimal signaling. The IL-2 receptor α-chain (CD25) is needed for the high affinity binding of IL-2 to effector cells and is potently induced after T cell activation. The aim of this research has been to determine whether prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) affects the CD25 expression on bovine T cells, and if it does, then which of the PGE2 receptor (EP) subtype(s) mediate(s) this effect. Herein, we report that exposure of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to PGE2 considerably reduces the percentage and absolute counts of CD25(+)CD4(+), CD25(+)CD8(+) and CD25(+)WC1(+) T cells, significantly increases the value of these parameters with respect of CD25(-)CD4(+), CD25(-)CD8(+) and CD25(-)WC1(+) T cells, and does not affect counts of the total populations of CD4(+), CD8(+) and WC1(+) T cells. These results indicate that PGE2 down-regulates the CD25 expression on bovine T cells. Moreover, we show that the selective blockade of EP4 receptor, but not EP1 and EP3 receptors, prevents this effect. Interestingly, the exposure of PBMC to a selective EP2 receptor agonist leads to a substantial increase in the percentage and absolute number of CD25(+)CD4(+), CD25(+)CD8(+) and CD25(+)WC1(+) T cells. In conclusions, the PGE2-induced down-regulation of CD25 expression on bovine CD4(+), CD8(+) and WC1(+) T cells should be considered as immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory action, because these lymphocytes primarily represent effector cells and adequate CD25 expression is essential for their correct functioning. The PGE2-mediated down-regulation of the CD25 expression on bovine T cells is mediated via the EP4 receptor, although selective activation of the EP2 receptor up-regulates the CD25 expression on these cells. Thus, with respect to the effect of PGE2 on the CD25 expression on bovine T cells, EP4 receptor serves as an inhibitory receptor, whereas EP2 receptor functions as a stimulatory receptor. The fact that non-selective stimulation of EP receptors, i.e. triggered by PGE2, leads to weaker CD25 expression proves that inhibitory actions prevail over stimulatory ones. These results indicate the possibility of pharmacological manipulation of the CD25 expression on T cells via selective antagonists and agonists of EP2 and EP4 receptors.

Effects of dexamethasone and meloxicam on bovine CD25+ CD8+ and CD25- CD8+ T cells--in vitro study.

The aim of undertaken research was an in vitro evaluation of the effects of dexamethasone and meloxicam on selected bovine CD8(+) T lymphocyte subpopulations. Dexamethasone induced a fast-occurring and lasting depletion of CD25(-)CD8(+) cells. This was primarily the result of the proapoptotic effect of dexamethasone, but the antiproliferative effect of the drug was clearly responsible for the deepening of this disturbance. Dexamethasone transiently increased the relative and absolute CD25(high)CD8(+) and CD25(low)CD8(+) cell numbers. This effect was not a consequence of increased proliferation, but at least partly resulted from the antiapoptotic effect of the drug on these cells. The obtained results indicate that induction of CD8(+) lymphocyte depletion and impairment of IFN-γ production by these cells participate in the production of the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effect of dexamethasone in cattle. An increase in Foxp3, IL-10 and TGF-β production by CD8(+) lymphocytes is not involved in the production of these effects because the drug did not affect the percentage of TGF-β(+)CD8(+) cells, while paradoxically reducing the percentage of cells with the suppressive phenotype, i.e. IL-10(+)CD25(low)CD8(+) and Foxp3(+)CD25(low)CD8(+) cells. Meloxicam did not substantially affect CD8(+) lymphocytes as to their percentage, absolute number, apoptosis, proliferation, Foxp3 expression and IFN-γ, IL-10 and TGF-β production. Thus, in the context of the parameters being estimated, meloxicam seems a relatively safe anti-inflammatory drug to be used in infectious diseases in cattle.

IκB kinase β inhibitor, IMD-0354, prevents allergic asthma in a mouse model through inhibition of CD4(+) effector T cell responses in the lung-draining mediastinal lymph nodes.

IκB kinase (IKK) is important for nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation under inflammatory conditions. It has been demonstrated that IMD-0354, i.e. a selective inhibitor of IKKβ, inhibited allergic inflammation in a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma. The present study attempts to shed light on the involvement of CD4(+) effector (Teff) and regulatory (Treg) T cells in the anti-asthmatic action of IMD-0354. The animals were divided into three groups: vehicle treated, PBS-sensitized/challenged mice (PBS group); vehicle treated, OVA-sensitized/challenged mice (OVA group); and IMD-0354-treated, OVA-sensitized/challenged mice. The analyzed parameters included the absolute counts of Treg cells (Foxp3(+)CD25(+)CD4(+)), activated Teff cells (Foxp3(-)CD25(+)CD4(+)) and resting T cells (CD25(-)CD4(+)) in the mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs), lungs and peripheral blood. Moreover, lung histopathology was performed to evaluate lung inflammation. It was found that the absolute number of cells in all studied subsets was considerably increased in the MLNs and lungs of mice from OVA group as compared to PBS group. All of these effects were fully prevented by treatment with IMD-0354. Histopathological examination showed that treatment with IMD-0354 protected the lungs from OVA-induced allergic airway inflammation. Our results indicate that IMD-0354 exerts anti-asthmatic action, at least partially, by blocking the activation and clonal expansion of CD4(+) Teff cells in the MLNs, which, consequently, prevents infiltration of the lungs with activated CD4(+) Teff cells. The beneficial effects of IMD-0354 in a mouse model of asthma are not mediated through increased recruitment of Treg cells into the MLNs and lungs and/or local generation of inducible Treg cells.

Pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline in broiler chickens following different routes of administration

The aim of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of oxytetracycline (OTC) in broiler chickens following intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC) and oral (PO) administrations at a dose of 15 mg/kg bodyweight. Plasma concentrations of OTC were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis was then conducted. The absorption half-life time was 1.23 ± 0.36 h, 1.19 ± 0.52 h, and 0.49 ± 0.38 h after IM, SC and PO administration, respectively. The elimination half-life time was 27.41 ± 6.06 h, 10.23 ± 4.20 h, 7.83 ± 0.56 h, and 14.86 ± 9.23 h, and the mean residence time was 9.67 ± 1.7 h, 11.45 ± 1.76 h, 11.38 ± 0.59 h, and 10.37 ± 3.91 h after IV, IM, SC and PO administration, respectively. Bioavailability was 76.88 ± 12.90%, 92.20 ± 10.53% and 12.13 ± 4.56% after IM, SC and PO administration, respectively, which indicated that OTC is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract in broiler chickens.

Prostaglandin E2 exerts the proapoptotic and antiproliferative effects on bovine NK cells

The aim of this research was to determine whether prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) affects bovine NK cells in respect of their counts, apoptosis and proliferation, and if it does, then which of the PGE2 receptor (EP) subtype(s) mediate(s) these effects. We here report that long-term, but not short-term, exposure of bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells to PGE2 at 10(-5)M, 10(-6)M and 10(-7)M, but not at 10(-8)M, caused a significant increase in the percentage of early apoptotic cells among NK cell subset. Moreover, PGE2 at 10(-5)M and 10(-6)M, but not at 10(-7)M and 10(-8)M, induced a considerable decrease in the absolute count of NK cells. The magnitude of these effects increased with an increasing concentration of PGE2. The blockade of EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4 receptors did not prevent the PGE2-induced apoptosis and depletion of NK cells. The results suggest that the proapoptotic effect of PGE2 is secondary in character and the induction of this effect is not mediated through EP receptors. Furthermore, the studies demonstrated that PGE2 at 10(-5)M and 10(-6)M, but not at 10(-7)M and 10(-8)M, highly significantly reduced the percentage of proliferating NK cells. The EP1, EP1/2 and EP3 receptor antagonists were unable to block this effect significantly, whereas the selective blockade of EP4 receptors prevented the PGE2-induced inhibition of NK cells proliferation. These results indicate that PGE2 at certain concentrations may impair the proliferation of NK cells and this effect is mediated via the EP4 receptor.

A comparison of the efficacy and pharmacokinetics of ivermectin after spring and autumn treatments against Cyathostominae in horses

The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of ivermectin against Cyathostominae infections and to describe the drugs pharmacokinetic parameters during two seasonal deworming treatments in horses. The study was performed on warm-blooded mares aged 3-12 years weighing 450-550 kg. A single bolus of an oral paste formulation of ivermectin was administered at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg BW in spring and autumn. Fecal samples were tested before treatment and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75 days after treatment. Ivermectin concentrations in blood samples collected before treatment, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after treatment, and 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 75 days after drug administration were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography. Drug absorption was significantly (p<0.05) slower (tmax: 21.89±11.43 h) in autumn than in spring (tmax: 9.78±8.97 h). Maximum concentrations (Cmax) of ivermectin in the blood plasma of individual horses (8.40-43.08 ng/ml) were observed 2-24 h after drug administration during the spring treatment and 2-36 h (6.43-24.86 ng/ml) after administration during the autumn treatment. Significantly higher (p<0.05) ivermectin concentrations were found during the first 4 hours after administration in spring in comparison with those determined after the autumn treatment. The administration of the recommended dose of ivermectin resulted in 100% elimination of parasitic eggs from feces in spring and autumn treatment.