Genetic parameters for natural antibody isotype titers in milk of Dutch Holstein-Friesians.

The objective of the present study was to estimate genetic parameters for natural antibody isotypes immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgG1 and IgM titers binding the bacterial antigens lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan and the model antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin in Dutch Holstein-Friesian cows (n = 1695). Further, this study included total natural antibody titers binding the antigens mentioned above, making no isotype distinction, as well as total natural antibody titers and natural antibody isotypes IgA, IgG1 and IgM binding lipoteichoic acid. The study showed that natural antibody isotype titers are heritable, ranging from 0.06 to 0.55, and that these heritabilities were generally higher than heritabilities for total natural antibody titers. Genetic correlations, the combinations of total natural antibody titers and natural antibody isotype titers, were nearly all positive and ranged from -0.23 to 0.99. Strong genetic correlations were found between IgA and IgM. Genetic correlations were substantially weaker when they involved an IgG1 titer, indicating that IgA and IgM have a common genetic basis, but that the genetic basis for IgG1 differs from that for IgA or IgM. Results from this study indicate that natural antibody isotype titers show the potential for effective genetic selection. Further, natural antibody isotypes may provide a better characterization of different elements of the immune response or immune competence. As such, natural antibody isotypes may enable more effective decisions when breeding programs start to include innate immune parameters.

Natural antibodies in bovine milk and blood plasma: variability among cows, repeatability within cows, and relation between milk and plasma titers.

Innate immunity plays an important role in preventing (barrier function) or combating infection (effector function). An important humoral component of innate immunity is formed by natural antibodies (NAb). The objectives of this study were to determine presence, variation among cows and repeatability within cows over time of total NAb titers directed to the pathogen-associated molecular patterns lipopolysaccharide, lipoteichoic acid (LTA) and peptidoglycan, and titers of NAb directed to the glycoprotein keyhole limpet hemocyanin in milk and plasma of individual cows. Furthermore in milk the antibody isotypes IgG1, IgG2, IgM and IgA binding LTA were analyzed. Ten milk and blood samples were obtained from each of 20 clinically healthy dairy cows from first to seventh parity during a period of 3 weeks. Total NAb binding lipopolysaccharide, LTA, peptidoglycan, and keyhole limpet hemocyanin were detected in milk and plasma, with titers considerably higher in plasma than in milk. Total NAb titers showed significant variation among cows, and repeatability within cows over time (ranging from 0.60 to 0.93). Titers of NAb in milk and plasma were positively correlated (correlation ranging from 0.69 to 0.91). Natural antibodies in milk binding LTA were of all 4 isotypes tested, although IgG2 was on average only present at low titers. All 4 isotypes in milk binding LTA also showed variation among cows, and repeatability within cows over time (ranging from 0.84 to 0.92). We conclude that NAb can be measured in a consistent and repeatable manner in bovine milk and blood plasma.

Genetic variation of natural antibodies in milk of Dutch Holstein-Friesian cows.

Defense mechanisms of dairy cows against diseases partly rest on their naturally present disease resistance capacity. Natural antibodies (NAb) form a soluble part of the innate immune system, being defined as antibodies circulating in animals without prior intentional antigenic stimulation. Genetic selection on NAb titers in milk, therefore, might improve disease resistance. We estimated genetic parameters of NAb titers binding lipopolysaccharide, lipoteichoic acid (LTA), peptidoglycan, and keyhole limpet hemocyanin, and titers of the NAb isotypes IgG1, IgM, and IgA binding LTA in milk of Dutch Holstein-Friesian heifers. Natural antibody titers were measured in 1 milk sample from each of 1,939 Holstein-Friesian heifers and used for estimating genetic parameters of NAb titers. The data show that phenotypic variation exists among heifers in NAb titers binding lipopolysaccharide, LTA, peptidoglycan, and keyhole limpet hemocyanin, and the NAb isotypes IgG1, IgM, and IgA binding LTA in milk. High genetic correlations among NAb (ranging from 0.45 to 0.99) indicated a common genetic basis for the levels of different NAb in bovine milk. Intra-herd heritability estimates for NAb ranged from 0.10 to 0.53. The results indicated that NAb levels have potential for genetic selection.

Intratracheally administered pathogen-associated molecular patterns affect antibody responses of poultry.

Various potential immune-modulating microbially derived pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP), or so called homotopes, are present in high concentrations in the environment of food animals. In previous studies, intravenously administered PAMP had variable effects on specific primary and secondary immune responses of poultry to systemically administered antigens. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of intratracheal (i.t.) challenge with the PAMP lipopolysaccharide, lipoteichoic acid (LTA), and Zymosan-A (containing 1,3 beta-glucan) on primary and secondary (total) antibody (Ab) responses and (isotype) IgM, IgG, and IgA responses to systemically administered human serum albumin (HuSA), and Ab titers to infectious bursal disease (Gumboro virus) and infectious bronchitis vaccines in layer hens at 9 and 22 wk of age. Birds were challenged via the trachea with PAMP for 5 consecutive days prior to primary and secondary immunization with HuSA. Intratracheally administered LTA and, to a minor extent, lipopolysaccharide significantly enhanced secondary total and IgG Ab responses to HuSA. 1,3 beta-Glucan did not significantly affect Ab responses to HuSA. All birds challenged with PAMP showed a decreased BW. Higher total Ab titers to infectious bursal disease and infectious bronchitis were found in birds challenged with LTA. The present results indicate that i.t. administered PAMP affect the humoral immune responsiveness of poultry, which may lead to an enhanced status of immune reactivity. Furthermore, our results suggest that the hygienic status of the environment influences BW (gain). The consequences of immune modulation by airborne PAMP or hygienic conditions in chicken husbandry for vaccine delivery and immune responsiveness of poultry are discussed.