engleski

Age-related tissue specific phenotypic characterization of porcine lymphoid and myeloid cell subsets by flow cytometry

In swine, as in other mammalian species, the expression of immunophenotypes of lymphoid/myeloid cell subsets, their proportions and distribution patterns within the peripheral blood and solid tissues are highly influenced by developmental aspects (ontogenesis of the immune system) as well as the magnitude and variety of the antigenic challenges (development of a competent immune system) during the first few weeks of life. For example, in conventionally reared pigs there is a 15-fold increase in T and B cell production rate from birth to weaning, and the weaners establish adult immunocompetence between 5 to 7weeks of age. The current study compares qualitative/quantitative/distribution patterns of porcine lymphoid/myeloid cell subsets by FCM and immunohistology and relates them to the immune maturity/competence in suckling and weaned pigs raised on a large scale farm in Croatia. A large panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) specific for porcine leukocyte surface molecules (i.e. differentiation antigens) represent an important contribution to this goal. The use of such reagents reveals the large proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ in the peripheral blood of 8-week-old pigs as compared to those in 4-week-old pigs. However, the developmental aspects of active immunity in young pigs must take into account, not only differentiation of phenotypically and functionally distinct cell types, but also the ontogenic expression of molecules required for their recirculation and tissue homing as well as the development of antigen-processing and presentation capabilities. In this study the functional development of pig leukocytes was not performed, and thus, the association between the two phenomena was not observed.

flow cytometry

nije evidentirano