Expression of â-defensin and cathelicidin genes in milk somatic cells derived from mammary glands infected with coagulase-positive or coagulase-negative Staphylococci

• Published in: Journal of animal science 2016-09, Vol.94, p.168-168
• Main Authors: Bagnicka, E, Kościuczuk, E, Lisowski, P, Jarczak, J, Marczak, S, Jarmuz, W, Zwierzchowski, L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antimicrobial peptides; Cattle; Coagulase; Dairy cattle; Defensins; Gene expression; Genes; Genetics; Lactation; Mammary gland; Mammary glands; Mastitis; Milk; Peptides; Somatic cells; Udder; Variance analysis
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163

The study was conducted on 40 Polish HF cows suffering from the chronic, recurrent mastitis caused by coagulase-positive (CoPS) or coagulase-negative (CoNS) Staphyloccoci vs. 18 healthy (H) cows in two age groups: first or second lactation (1/2) and in third or fourth lactation (3/4). The expression was examined of β-defensin (DEFB1, BNBD4, BNBD5, BNBD10, LAP, TAP) and cathelicidin genes (CATH4 = indolicin, CATH5 = BMAP28, CATH6 = BMAP2) in milk somatic cells (MSCs) derived from udder quarters; one quarter from each cow. Following groups of samples were distinguished: H1/2 (N = 9), H3/4 (N = 9), CoPS1/2 (N = 14), CoPS3/4 (N = 14), CoNS1/2 (N = 9), and CoNS3/4 (N = 9). The samples were chosen on the basis of milk microbiological examination. qPCR was performed in the Light Cycler480 (Roche, Germany) with the SYBR-Green technique. Analysis of variance was conducted with the Tukey-Kramer test. The DEFB1, BNBD4, BNBD5, BNBD10, and LAP mRNAs, but not of TAP mRNA, were detected in all investigated samples regardless of the animals' age and microbiological status of the udder, but at different levels. The expression of BNBD4 and BNBD5 were the highest in CoPS1/2 group. The highest expression of DEFB1 gene was found in the CoNS3/4 group, while LAP in the H3/4 group. The DEF10 mRNA level was similar in all groups except for CoNS3/4, where the expression was the lowest. It may indicate a constitutive expression of DEF10 gene in MSCs. No expression of CATH5 was found in any sample. CATH4 and CATH6 showed expression patterns similar to LAP, which is contrasting to any other Antimicrobial Peptides (the highest expression in MSCs from bacteria-free udder quarters). Increased expression of most of genes encoding β-defensins in MSCs derived from the infected udder quarters confirms their crucial role in the defense of cow's udder against mastitis. On the other hand, the elevated cathelicidin transcripts in healthy quarters indicate their role in maintenance of healthy state of the under. Financed by the National Science Centre of Poland No. NN311075339