Apoptosis and immuno-suppression in sheep infected with bluetongue virus serotype-23

作者：Umeshappa Channakeshava Sokke^*; Singh Karam Pal; Nanjundappa Roopa Hebbandi; Pandey Awadh Bihari

来源：Veterinary Microbiology, 2010, 144(3-4): 310-318.

DOI：10.1016/j.vetmic.2010.02.033

• BTV-23
• Mononuclear leukocytes
• Apoptosis
• Immuno-suppression
• Interferon-alpha and Caspase-3

The role of apoptosis in pathogenesis of bluetongue (BT) has been suggested from various in vitro studies. However, to date, no clear data are available regarding BTV-induced apoptosis and its consequences in natural host, sheep. In the present study, bluetongue virus (BTV)-induced apoptosis was studied in sheep blood and splenic mononuclear cells by analyzing annexin(+) propidium iodide(-) early apoptotic cells, DNA ladder pattern, and caspase-3 gene expression. The onset of apoptosis and lymphocyte depletion in viraemic phase and IFN-alpha response indicated the involvement of BTV and IFN-alpha in the pathogenesis of BT. The development of Pasteurella pneumonia in 4 of 7 infected sheep during the experiment pointed to possible BTV-induced immuno-suppression and predisposition to secondary microbial infections. These results have significant implications not only in understanding immuno-pathological consequences but also in studying interactions of BTV with host cells.

• 出版日期2010-8-26