Proinflammatory cytokines induce lymphocyte apoptosis in acute African swine fever infection

J Comp Pathol. 2005 May;132(4):289-302. doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2004.11.004. Epub 2005 Apr 7.

Abstract

Twenty-one pigs inoculated with a highly virulent isolate (E70) of African swine fever (ASF) virus were killed 1-7 days later; a further three animals served as uninfected controls. An early increase in TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 expression was detected in lymphoid organs from infected animals, together with an increase in the serum concentrations of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. These changes were accompanied by increased apoptosis of lymphocytes, and the presence of infected and uninfected macrophages showing changes indicative of secretory and phagocytic activation. The present study demonstrated an increase in the number of macrophages expressing TNF-alpha, IL-1 and IL-6 in proximity to lymphocytes undergoing apoptosis, supporting previous suggestions that in acute ASF proinflammatory cytokines induce lymphocyte apoptosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • African Swine Fever / immunology*
  • African Swine Fever / pathology
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / immunology*
  • Asfarviridae / pathogenicity*
  • Asfarviridae / physiology
  • Cell Count
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Female
  • In Situ Nick-End Labeling
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Lymph Nodes / virology
  • Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Lymphocytes / ultrastructure
  • Lymphoid Tissue / immunology*
  • Lymphoid Tissue / virology
  • Macrophage Activation / physiology
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Macrophages / ultrastructure
  • Macrophages / virology
  • Male
  • Spleen / immunology
  • Spleen / virology
  • Swine
  • Thymus Gland / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / virology

Substances

  • Cytokines