Analysis of blood leukocytes in a naturally occurring immunodeficiency of pigs shows the defect is localized to B and T cells

• Published in: Veterinary immunology and immunopathology 2014-12, Vol.162 (3-4), p.174-179
• Main Authors: Ewen, C.L., Cino-Ozuna, A.G., He, H., Kerrigan, M.A., Dekkers, J.C.M., Tuggle, C.K., Rowland, R.R.R., Wyatt, C.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; B-Lymphocytes - immunology; Histocytochemistry - veterinary; Lymphocyte Count - veterinary; Lymphocytes; Lymphoid Tissue - immunology; Severe combined immunodeficiency; Severe Combined Immunodeficiency - blood; Severe Combined Immunodeficiency - immunology; Severe Combined Immunodeficiency - veterinary; Swine; Swine Diseases - blood; Swine Diseases - immunology; T-Lymphocytes - immunology
• ISSN: 0165-2427; 1873-2534
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2014.10.003

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is the result of a set of inherited genetic defects which render components of the immune response nonfunctional. In Arabian horses, Jack Russell terriers, and mice, the disorder is a consequence of the absence of T and B lymphocytes, while natural killer (NK) cell and other leukocyte populations remain intact. Preliminary analysis of a naturally acquired form of inherited SCID in a line of pigs showed several defects in the architecture and composition of secondary lymphoid organs. In this study, a quantitative assessment of lymphocyte populations in affected and normal littermates showed depleted T or B lymphocyte populations in affected pigs; however, NK cells and neutrophils were present in numbers comparable to unaffected littermates. The results indicate that the immune defect in pigs shares the same features as other SCID-affected species.