In vitro regulation of gene expression of pregnancy-associated proteins and cytokines in bovine endometrial epithelial cells and bovine trophoblastic cells by infection with Neospora caninum

• Published in: Parasitology international 2024-08, Vol.101, p.102898-102898, Article 102898
• Main Authors: Abdelbaky, Hanan H., Shimoda, Naomi, Akthar, Ihshan, Nakamura, Shu, Hasan, Md Hasibul, Ushio, Nanako, Miyamoto, Akio, Nishikawa, Yoshifumi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bovine; Neospora caninum; Trophoblastic cells; Uterine epithelial cells
• ISSN: 1383-5769; 1873-0329
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2024.102898

Abortion caused by the parasite Neospora caninum is an important threat to the livestock industry worldwide. Trophoblasts and caruncular cells play major roles in initiating innate immune responses and controlling parasite infection at the fetal-maternal interface. In the present study, bovine uterine epithelial cells (BUECs) and bovine trophoblastic (BT) cells treated with bovine interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), IFN-alpha (IFN-α) and IFN-tau (IFN-τ) followed by infection with N. caninum were examined by measuring the mRNA expression levels of numerous pregnancy-associated proteins and observing parasite growth to elucidate the host-parasite interaction at the uteroplacental region. N. caninum infection increased the expression of prolactin-related protein 1 (PRP1), pregnancy-associated glycoprotein 1 (PAG1), and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-10) in BUECs and of IL-8 in BT cells. Bovine IFN-γ inhibited IL-8 and TNF-α expression in BUECs and IL-8 in BT cells. In contrast, the expression of the interferon-stimulated gene OAS1 was significantly increased by treatment of the infected BT cells with IFN-γ. However, treatment with bovine IFNs did not inhibit N. caninum growth in either cell line. In conclusion, our results suggest that bovine IFN-γ plays a crucial role in control of pathogenesis in uterus and induction of inflammatory response in the placental region following N. caninum infection, rather than growth inhibition of the parasites. [Display omitted] •Neospora infection increased the expression of PRP1, PAG1 and cytokines in BUECs.•N. caninum infection increased the expression of IL-8 in BT cells.•Treatment with bovine IFNs did not inhibit N. caninum growth.•Neospora pathogenesis may be controlled by IFN-γ at the fetal-maternal interface.•IFN-γ may induce an inflammatory response in the infected placental region.