Project description:Alveolar macrophages are the first line of defense against pathogens in the lungs of all mammalian species and therefore may constitute an appropriate therapeutic target cell in the treatment and prevention of opportunistic airway infections. Analysis of alveolar macrophages from several species has revealed a unique cellular phenotype and transcriptome, presumably linked to their distinct airway environment and function in host defense. The current study extends these findings to the horse. Firstly, the transcriptome of equine alveolar macrophages was compared to that of equine peritoneal macrophages. This comparison revealed the differential basal expression of 451 genes. Gene expression analysis revealed an alternative macrophage polarisation profile in alveolar macrophages and a hybrid macrophage activation profile in peritoneal macrophages, a phenomenon potentially attributable to a degree endotoxin tolerance. Secondly, the change in gene expression profile of equine AMs following lipopolysaccharide stimulation was investigated. This revealed a significant change in the expression of 240 genes, including well known upregulated inflammatory genes.
Project description:Equine dendritic cells generated with horse serum have enhanced functionality in comparison to dendritic cells generated with fetal bovine serum
