Cytokine expression pattern in milk somatic cells of subclinical mastitis-affected cattle analyzed by real time PCR

Bhatt, Vaibhav D.; Khade, Prasad S.; Tarate, Sagar B.; Tripathi, Ajai K.; Nauriyal, Dev S.; Rank, Dharamshi N.; Kunjadia, Anju P.; Joshi, Chaitanya G.

doi:2012.52.4.231

Korean J Vet Res > Volume 52(4); 2012 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Veterinary Research 2012;52(4):231-238.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14405/kjvr.2012.52.4.231 Published online December 31, 2012.

Cytokine expression pattern in milk somatic cells of subclinical mastitis-affected cattle analyzed by real time PCR

Vaibhav D. Bhatt¹, Prasad S. Khade², Sagar B. Tarate³, Ajai K. Tripathi⁴, Dev S. Nauriyal², Dharamshi N. Rank³, Anju P. Kunjadia¹, Chaitanya G. Joshi⁴

¹Ashok and Rita Patel Institute of Integrated Study and Research in Biotechnology and Allied Sciences
²Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University
³Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University
⁴Department of Animal Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand Agricultural University

Abstract

The expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines viz. interleukins (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-12, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, interferon-${gamma}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${alpha}$ in response to subclinical mastitis in indigenous cattle breed Kankrej (n = 6), Gir (Bos indicus) (n = 12) and crossbred (Bos taurus${ imes}$Bos indicus) (n = 7) were investigated using quantitative real time PCR. Significant correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between total bacterial load and somatic cell count (SCC) in all three breeds of cattle. All the cytokines were observed to be up-regulated compared to cows with healthy quarters, however, level of their expression varied among three breeds of cattle. In Kankrej most cytokines were found to be transcribed to higher levels than in other two breeds; the milk had higher load of bacteria but not so high SCC, implying that Kankrej has a higher inherent resistance against mastitis. The results of present study indicated that mammary glands of crossbred cattle are more sensitive to bacterial infection than indigenous breed of cattle as they elicit immune response at lower bacterial load and result into higher SCC. Research on identification of factors responsible for differentially expressed cytokines profiles and use of cytokines as immunomodulatory tools can pave way for formulating control strategies against bovine mastitis.

Key Words: cytokines, interleukins, interferon, quantitative real time PCR