Regulatory T cells are decreased in acute RHDV lethal infection of adult rabbits

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Teixeira, L (Author) ICBAS; Marques, RM (Author) Other; AP Águas (Author) ICBAS; ferreira, pg (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology

Vol. 148

Pages: 343-347

ISSN: 0165-2427

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 9 Citations

Scopus - 8 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-6XC

DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2012.05.006

Abstract (EN): Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is the etiologic agent of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD), an acute lethal infection that kills 90% of adult rabbits due to severe acute liver inflammation. Interestingly, young rabbits are naturally resistant to RHDV infection. Here, we have compared naturally occurring CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) between young and adult rabbits after infection by RHDV. The number and frequency of Tregs was decreased in the spleen of adult rabbits 24 hatter the RHDV infection; this was in contrast with the unchanged number and frequency of splenic Tregs found in young rabbits after the same infection. Also, serum levels of IL-10 and TCF-beta were enhanced in the infected adult rabbits whereas no alteration was observed in infected young rabbits. However, this increase is accompanied by a burst of pro-inflammatory cytokines, but seems not able to prevent the death of the animals with severe acute liver inflammation in few days after infection. Since Tregs downregulate inflammation, we conclude that their decrease may contribute to the natural susceptibility of adult rabbits to RHDV infection.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5