Production of tumour necrosis factor alpha during bovine trypanosomiasis: possible correlation with severity of anaemia associated with the disease

This paper determines whether tumour necrosis factor (TNF alpha) (a cytokine that is predominantly secreted by cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage) production is induced during bovine trypanosomiasis and wheather or not production is correlated with disease. TNF alpha titres in plasma from Boran cattle infected with T. vivax by tsetse fly transmission and of monocytes are illustrated. Data is also presented for TNF alpha mRNA expression in monocytes isolated from Trypanosoma vivax and T. Congolense infected cattle

Cloning of two members of the TNF - superfamily in cattle: CD40 ligand and tumor necrosis factor alpha

According to studies in human and mouse species it is apparent that both CD40 ligand and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) are members of a novel family of cytokines, referred to as the TNF - superfamily. This article reports the cloning of the cattle CD40 lignad and cattle TNF alpha, and shows the similarities between these molecules

Development of bovine-specific cytokine reagents at ILRAD

Infection of livestock with African trypanosomes leads to haematological changes such as anaemia and pancytopenia and to immune defects, including suppression of T-cell responsiveness and an excessive increase in the CD5+ B-cell population in blood and spleen. It has been shown that certain breeds of cattle have evolved mechanisms to reduce the effects of trypanosome infections. At ILRAD, trypanosome-specific immune responses of trypanotolerant N'Dama cattle (Bos taurus) are being compared with those of trypanosusceptible Boran (Bos indicus) cattle. The molecular and cellular basis of trypanotolerance are poorly defined, but preliminary data suggest that differences exist between these breeds at the level of T- and B-cell responses to trypanosome antigens during infection. Clear differences have been reported between N'Dama and Boran cattle in the quantity, quality and specificity of antibodies produced following trypanosome infection. Further characterization of these differences and evaluation of their role in trypanotolerance will require the availability of reagents for the analysis of bovine cytokine responses

Summary of discussion

ILRAD outlined two different areas of research concern to the trypanosomiasis program. One goal was to identify trypanosomal antigens responsible for the immunopathogenesis of the disease by determining how the infection of cattle with trypanosomes affects their immune system. A second goal was to identify protective immune responses that might be targeted at the parasite itself or at the mechanisms through which it causes disease

Optimizing reference values for the measurement of alpha 1-antitrypsin in serum: comparison of three methods.

Abstract We studied three methods (rate nephelometry, radial immunodiffusion, and trypsin-inhibitory capacity) for their ability to detect those individuals with a deficiency of alpha1-antitrypsin. The phenotype represented in 170 serum samples was determined by isoelectric focusing as the reference method. All three methods correctly identified Pi Z, Pi S, and Pi SZ phenotypes but varied in their ability to detect Pi MZ and Pi MS phenotypes. The rate-nephelometric method was the least sensitive in detecting Pi MZ and Pi MS variants because of the inappropriately low reference interval suggested by the manufacturer. We found that the three screening methods are comparable when the limiting values are properly selected. We suggest that the reference value for the rate-nephelometric method be increased from 0.85 g/L to 1.40 g/L to improve the sensitivity of the test.</jats:p