RT-PCR  &  real-time RT-PCR applications in
Mammary Gland  &  Mammary Gland Immunology



Short-term changes of mRNA expression of various inflammatory factors and milk proteins in mammary tissue during LPS-induced mastitis
S. Schmitz, M.W. Pfaffl, H.H.D. Meyer, R.M. Bruckmaier (2004)
Domestic Animal Endocrinology 26(4) 111-126


During mammary gland infection, non-specific responses are the predominant ones. The goal of this studywas to investigate themRNAexpression of various soluble immune components and of the major milk proteins during the acute phase of mammary inflammation. Five healthy lactating cows were intramammary infused in one quarter with 100µg Escherichia coli-endotoxin (lipopolysac- charide, LPS) and the contralateral quarter with saline (9 g/l) serving as control. Mammary biopsy samples of both quarters were taken immediately before and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 h after infusion and mRNA expression of various factors was quantified via real-time RT–PCR. Blood samples for determination of leukocyte number were taken simultaneously with the biopsy samples and rectal temperature was measured at 1-h intervals. Rectal temperature increased until 5 h (P < 0.05) after LPS administration and remained elevated until 9 h after LPS inoculation. Blood leukocyte number decreased (P < 0.05) from 0 to 3 h from 7.7±1.1×109 l−1 to 5.7±1.0×109 l−1 and thereafter recovered to pre-treatment levels until 12 h after LPS challenge. In LPS-treated quarters, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cyclooxygenase-2-mRNA expression increased (P < 0.05) to highest values at 3 h after LPS challenge. Lactoferrin, lysozyme, inducible nitric oxide synthase increased (P < 0.05) and peaked at 6 h after challenge, and platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase-mRNA expression tended to increase (P = 0.07). mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor-I and of alphaS1-casein (CN), alphaS2-CN, beta-CN and beta-lactoglobulin did not change significantly, whereas mRNA expression of 5-lipoxygenase and alpha-lactalbumin decreased (P < 0.05) in both quarters and that of kappa-CN only in the LPS quarter. mRNAexpression of some investigated factors (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, lysozyme, 5-lipoxygenase,beta-lactalbumin) changed in control quarters, however in all respective factors less than in the LPS quarters (P < 0.05). In conclusion, mRNA expression of most inflammatory factors increased within hours, whereas that of most milk proteins remained unchanged.


mRNA expression of immune factors and milk proteins in mammary tissue
and milk cells and their concentration in milk during subclinical mastitis


S. SCHMITZ, M.W. PFAFFL, M. MILLER, J. BUCHBERGER, T. MEYER, H. SAUERWEIN, R.M. BRUCKMAIER


Milk Science International 59 (7/8)  2004



5-Lipoxygenase, Cyclo-oxygenase-2 and Tumor necrosis factor alpha 
(TNF-alpha) gene expression in somatic milk cells

Wittmann SL, Pfaffl M., Meyer HHD & Bruckmaier RM  (2002)
 Milk Science International, 57(2): 63-66.

Summary

The goal of this work was to investigate whether different fractions of somatic cells in cow milk do produce prostaglandins, leukotrienes and the cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha). mRNA expressions of TNFalpha and of key enzymes of prostaglandin and leukotriene biosynthesis, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), respectively, were quantitatively determined. Eleven clinically healthy Brown Swiss cows were either defined as control (C) group (n=5; all quarters  < 150 000 cells/ml) or as group with partially elevated quarter somatic cell counts (SCC; n=6) with at least one quarter  > 150 000 cells/ml (H) and one quarter < 150 000 cells/ml (L). Total quarter milk from one quarter of control animals and from two quarters of cows with partially elevated SCC (one of H and one of L) was collected. Cells were fractionized into macrophages and lymphocytes (MAC+LYM) and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) using a density gradient. RNA was isolated, reversely transcribed and quantitative PCR was carried out. mRNA expression was similar for 5-LO, COX-2 and TNFalpha: no differences between C and L quarters were detected. However, expression was markedly elevated in H quarters. mRNA expression of all parameters tested was higher in MAC+LYM than in the PMN fraction. In conclusion, this investigation underlines that somatic milk cells are able to synthesize 5-LO, COX-2 and TNFalpha.


Gene Expression of Immunologically Important Factors
in Blood Cells, Milk Cells and Mammary Tissue of Cows

M. W. Pfaffl, S. L. Wittmann, H. H. D. Meyer  &  R. M. Bruckmaier (2003)
Jornal of Dairy Science 86: 538–545

Summary

Cytokines, eicosanoids and lactoferrin are involved in the mammary gland´s immune response to invading microorganisms. The goal of this work was to investigate the synthesis of these immunologically important factors in somatic milk cells, blood cells and mammary tissue of cows with different somatic cell count levels, i.e. different immunological activity. On the level of mRNA expression, the cytokine tumor necrosis factor a (TNFa), lactoferrin (Lf) and specific key enzymes of leukotriene and prostaglandin biosynthesis, 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and –2 (COX-2), respectively, were determined. All fifteen experimental cows were clinically healthy with no visible mammary disease. Eight cows were defined as control group with all quarters < 150 000 cells/ml (C) while seven cows had partially elevated quarter somatic cell counts, with at least one quarter  > 150 000 cells/ml (H) and one quarter < 150 000 cells/ml (L). Total quarter milk from one quarter of control group and from two quarters of cows with partially elevated cell counts (one of H and one of L) was collected at one milking and a blood sample was taken simultaneously. In addition, mammary tissue samples were taken from the respective quarters on the following day during slaughter. Total RNA from milk, blood and tissue cells was isolated and reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was carried out. All factors investigated were not significantly different between groups in blood cells and between C and L quarters in milk cells and mammary tissue. TNFa and COX-2 mRNA expression was higher in milk cells and mammary tissue of H than in L quarters, except for COX-2 in mammary tissue. Generally TNFa and COX-2 showed their highest expression in milk cells, 5-LO in blood cells, whereas lactoferrin was mainly expressed by the mammary tissue. COX-1 was similarly expressed in all tested samples.

Acute Phase Inflamatory Reaction In The Bovine Mammary Gland
R. M. Bruckmaier, S. Schmitz and M. W. Pfaffl (2002)

Mammary Gland Health and Disease
Immune cells and bioactive substances in function of susceptibility
and spreading of infections in human and animals

Ghent University, Belgium

Multidisciplinary joint meeting
EU COST NETWORK, COST ACTION B20
MAMMARY GLAND BIOLOGY, WG 1 & 2 MEETING
AND COST ACTION 844


Immunological and inflammatory factors such as cytokines, lipid mediators and bacteriostatic
enzymes are elevated during mastitis in dairy cows. A study was conducted to determine changes of
mRNA expression of various of these factors in the mammary tissue of cows during 12 h after
induction of mastitis via intramammary administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Five healthy
lactating cows were injected in one quarter with 100 µg E. coli-LPS (O26:B6) and the contralateral
quarter with saline (9 g/l) serving as control. mRNA expression in mammary biopsy samples of the
various inflammatory factors and milk proteins at 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 h after LPS administration was
quantified by real-time RT-PCR. Blood samples were taken following the same time course and
rectal temperature was measured at 1-h intervals. Temperature increased until 5 h (P<0.05) after
LPS administration and decreased to pretreatment levels within 24 h after LPS-challenge. Blood
leukocyte number decreased (P<0.05) from 0 to 3 h from 7.7±1.1 x 109/l to 5.7±1.0 x 109/l and
thereafter recovered to pretreatment levels until 12 h after LPS-challenge. In LPS-challenged
quarters tumor necrosis factor α and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression increased to highest
values (P<0.05) at 3 h after LPS-challenge. Lactoferrin, lysozyme, inducible nitric oxide synthase
mRNA expression increased (P<0.05) and peaked at 6 h after challenge, while platelet-activating
factor acethylhydrolase mRNA increased only numerically. mRNA expression of the investigated
factors did not change in control quarters. mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor-1, 5-
lipoxygenase and of αS1-casein (CN), αS2-CN, β-CN and β-lactoglobulin did not change
significantly, whereas mRNA expression of α-lactalbumin decreased (P<0.05) in LPS-treated and
control quarters and that of κ-CN only in the LPS-treated quarters. In conclusion, mRNA expression
of most inflammatory factors changed within hours, whereas that of most milk proteins remained unchanged. 



Detection and quantification of mRNA-expression of alpha- and beta-adrenergic
receptor subtypes
in the mammary gland of dairy cows

T. Inderwies, M. W. Pfaffl, H. H. D. Meyer, J. W. Blum & R. M. Bruckmaier
Domestic Animal Endocrinology 2003 24(2): 123-135

Summary
Adrenergic receptors are pharmacologically classified into the receptor types alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, beta-2, and beta-3. Structural differences and varying affinities in radioligand binding studies lead to a further classification of alpha-1- and alpha-2-receptors into subtypes which are termed alpha-1A(formerly C), alpha-1B, and alpha-1D-(formerly AD), and alpha-2AD, alpha-2B, and alpha-2C, respectively. mRNA-expression of all but one alpha-adrenergic receptor subtypes and of all beta-adrenergic receptor types was measured quantitatively in total RNA extracted from mammary tissue of ten lactating dairy cows by real-time reverse transcriptase (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR). mRNA expression of alpha1-adrenergic receptors was highest for the alpha-1A-subtype followed by alpha-1B, whereas the alpha-1D-subtype could not be detected. The highest mRNA expression of alpha-2-adrenergic receptors was found for the alpha-2AD-subtype, followed by alpha-2B and alpha-2C. Within the beta-adrenergic receptors, the beta-2-receptor type was most highly expressed,  followed by beta-1 and beta-3. In conclusion, eight of nine adrenergic receptors classified to date were detected and relatively quantified in the mammary gland of dairy cows.


Milking characteristics and their relation to adrenergic receptor mRNA expression
and ligand binding in the mammary gland of dairy cows

T. Inderwies, M. W. Pfaffl & R. M. Bruckmaier (2003)
Domestic Animal Endocrinology 2003 (25):
275-286


Stimulation of small alpha, Greek - and small beta, Greek -adrenergic receptors in the bovine mammary gland affects milking characteristics such as milk yield and peak flow rate. The aim of this study was to detect possible correlations between milkability, adrenergic receptor binding capacity and receptor expression at the mRNA level. In addition, dose–response relationships of small alpha, Greek - and small beta, Greek -adrenergic receptor stimulation were evaluated after application of an small alpha, Greek - and small beta, Greek -adrenergic receptor agonist, respectively in different dosages. Density and distribution of adrenergic receptor binding sites in the region around the large mammary ducts were investigated as well as adrenergic receptor mRNA expression. Milk flow of one-quarter was recorded in 10 cows without or with additional small alpha, Greek - and small beta, Greek -adrenergic receptor stimulation in three dosages each. After slaughter, mammary tissue was taken from the region around the large mammary ducts in the previously investigated quarters. Protein and RNA were extracted for measuring small alpha, Greek 1-, small alpha, Greek 2-, and small beta, Greek 2-adrenergic receptor binding sites and mRNA expression levels by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Peak flow rate without additional adrenergic receptor stimulation was negatively correlated with small alpha, Greek 2-adrenergic receptor binding (maximal binding capacity, Bmax) and positively correlated with small alpha, Greek 2-adrenergic receptor expression at the mRNA level (crossing point (CP) of the real-time PCR). During small alpha, Greek -adrenergic receptor stimulation, there was a positive correlation between milkability and small alpha, Greek 2-adrenergic receptor mRNA expression, whereas during small beta, Greek -adrenergic receptor stimulation no correlations were detected. Dose–response relationships were existing during small alpha, Greek -adrenergic receptor stimulations, but not during small beta, Greek -adrenergic receptor stimulations at four dosages each including control milking. Significant changes in milk yield and peak flow rate mainly occurred after application of an small alpha, Greek -adrenergic receptor agonist. In conclusion, high mRNA expression levels or binding capacities of adrenergic receptors do not necessarily lead to according reactions in vivo, concerning milk yield and peak flow rate. To influence milking characteristics, individual reactions of the cow on adrenergic stimulation have to be considered.



Poster

mRNA expression of 5-Lipoxygenase, Cyclooxygenase-2 and 
Tumor necrosis factor alpha in milk somatic cells

S.L. Wittmann, M.W. Pfaffl, H.H.D.Meyer & R.M. Bruckmaier, (2000)
Symposium of Immunology of Ruminant Mammary Gland ; 11. - 14. Juni in Stresa, Italien

Cytokines and inflammatory mediators are involved in immune response in various tissues. Within the mammary gland of dairy cows a substantial amount of immune cells needs to be transported from blood circulation into milk to provide cellular immune defence despite of frequent removal of milk, including cells. Cytokines and inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, exhibit potent chemokinetic and chemotactic activity for leukocytes and enhance the bactericidal activity of phagocytes. Moreover, they cause increasing vascular permeability and hyperalgesia during inflammatory disorders [1,2,3]. To assess the origin of proteins in milk, the detection of the protein-encoding mRNAs by reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a suitable method. Whereas the mRNA of cytokines can be determined with RT-PCR, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are arachidonic acid (C20:4 fatty acid) derivatives (eicosanoids), cannot be measured on the mRNA level. Alternatively, it is possible to measure the mRNA expression of specific key enzymes of their synthetic pathways. The goal of this work was to investigate whether leukotrienes and prostaglandins are produced by different fractions of somatic cells in cow milk. Therefore, we have developed a quantitative RT-PCR method to determine the mRNA expression of the key enzymes in leukotriene and prostaglandin biosynthesis, i.e. 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), respectively. The expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa ), a cytokine known to be crucial during early inflammatory stages in the mammary gland [3], has been studied concomitantly.

Material and Methods

Animals. Eleven lactating Brown Swiss dairy cows with no clinical signs of mammary disease were used. Somatic cell counts (SCC) of total quarter milk was measured with a fluoro-opto-electronic method using a Fossomatic cell counter (Foss Electric, Denmark). Cows were defined as control group, if all quarters were < 150 000 cells/ml (C) and as group with partially elevated quarter SCC, if minimum one quarter was > 150 000 cells/ml (H) and one quarter < 150 000 cells/ml (L). 

Cell isolation

Total quarter milk from one quarter of control group and from two quarters of cows with partially elevated SCC (one of H and one of L) was collected at one morning milking. The milk was centrifuged and the cell pellet was washed three times in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), pH 7.4. The cell fractions were separated using a density gradient (Lymphocyte Separation Medium, ICN, Aurora, OH, USA). Macrophages and lymphocytes (Mac+Lym) were distributed within the interphase, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were located in the pellet.

RNA Isolation and RT-PCR

Total RNA was isolated using TriPure (Roche, Basle, Switzerland) according to the manufacturers instructions. Synthesis of first strand cDNA was performed with MMLV-RT (Promega, Madison, WI, USA) and random hexamer primers. Quantitative analysis of PCR products was carried out in the LightCycler (Roche, Basle, Switzerland) using external DNA standard dilutions. DNA standards were generated by cloning the RT-PCR products into pCR 4.0 vector (Invitrogen, Groningen, NL).

Statistical evaluations

Differences between C and L quarters and differences between Mac+Lym and PMN cell fractions were tested for significance (p<0.05) using Wilcoxon´s rank sum test. Differences between L and H quarters (within animal) were tested for significance (p<0.05) by Wilcoxon´s signed rank test.

Results

Mean SCC were 27±5 and 34±20 x103/ml in C and L quarters, respectively, and significantly higher in H quarters (741±289 x103/ml). As shown in table 1, mRNA expressions behaved similarly for 5-LO, COX-2 and TNFa. There were no differences between C and L quarters, but expression levels were markedly elevated in H quarters. mRNA expression of protein tested was higher in Mac+Lym than in PMN cell fractions.

Discussion and Conclusions

Our results indicate that 5-LO, COX-2 and TNFa are, at least to a certain extent, produced by somatic milk cells, i.e. represent milk borne factors. Expression of each compound studied was locally elevated in quarters with more immunological activity, i.e. higher SCC, indicating that the somatic milk cells themselves are involved in the maintenance of immune response in milk. However, most likely these factors are also synthesized by mammary epithelial cells. Further investigations are in progress.

References

1  Rose, D.M., Giri, S.N., Wood, S.J. & Cullor, J.S. Role of leukotriene B4 in the
pathogenesis of Klebsiella pneumoniae-induced bovine mastitis. American Journal of Veterinary Research 50: 915-918 (1989)
2  Persson, K., Larsson, I. & Hallén Sandgren, C. Effects of certain inflammatory 
mediators on bovine neutrophil migration in vivo and in vitro. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 37: 99-112 (1993)
3  Sordillo, L.M., Shafer-Weaver, K. & DeRosa, D. Immunobiology of the mammary 
gland. Journal of Dairy Science 80: 1851-1865 (1997)

 

Inflammatory mediators in mammary gland immunology: 
Quantification of key factors by LightCycler  real-time PCR

S. L. Wittmann, M. W Pfaffl., H.H.D. Meyer & R. M. Bruckmaier (2000)
2nd. LightCycler Symposium und Anwender Workshop, Roche Diagnostics GmbH, 
19.-20. September in Heidelberg

Introduction

 Inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, exhibit potent chemokinetic and chemotactic activity for leukocytes and enhance the bactericidal activity of phagocytes. Moreover, they cause increasing vascular permeability and hyperalgesia during inflammatory disorders [1,2,3]. The goal of this work was to investigate whether leukotrienes and prostaglandins are produced by different fractions of somatic cells in cow milk. Therefore, we have developed a quantitative RT-PCR method to determine the mRNA expression of  the key enzymes in leukotriene and prostaglandin biosynthesis, i.e. 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and cyclooxygenase2 (COX-2),   respectively.  The expression   of  tumor  necrosis  factor  alpha (TNFa), a cytokine known to be crucial during early inflammatory stages in  the   mammary   gland  [3],  has    been   studied   concomitantly.

Material and Methods
Animals

Brown Swiss dairy cows (n=11) with no clinical signs of mammary disease were used. Somatic cell counts (SCC) of total quarter milk was measured with a fluoro-opto-electronic method using a Fossomatic® cell counter (Foss Electric, Denmark). Based on the SCC results animals were devided in two groups.

Cell isolation

Total quarter milk from one quarter of control group and from two quarters of cows with partially elevated SCC (one of H and one of L) was collected at one  morning  milking.  The  milk  was  centrifuged  and  the  cell  pellet  was washed three times in PBS (phosphate buffered saline). The cell fractions were separated using a density gradient (LSM®, ICN, Aurora, USA). Macrophages and lymphocytes (Mac+Lym) were distributed within the inter-phase, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were located in the pellet.

Statistical evaluations

Differences between C and L quarters were tested for significance (p<0.05) using Wilcoxon´s rank sum test. Differences between L and H quarters and differences between Mac+Lym and PMN cell fractions (within animal) were tested for significance (p<0.05) by Wilcoxon´s signed rank test.

  Results and Discussion

 In one  control  animal  gene  expression  of  all   factors  determined  was higher  than   in   the   other   four  animals  despite  similarly  low  SCC. The reasons are unclear.  Our results indicate that 5-LO, COX-2 and TNFa are, at least to a certain extent, produced by somatic milk cells, i.e. represent milk borne factors. Expression of each compound studied was locally elevated in quarters with more immunological activity, i.e. higher SCC, indicating that the somatic milk cells themselves are involved in the maintenance of immune response in milk. However, most likely these factors are also synthesized by mammary epithelial cells. Further investigations are in progress.
mRNA expression of immunologically important factors and milk proteins 
in mammary tissue of dairy cows during LPS induced mastitis

S. Schmitz, M.W. Pfaffl, H.H.D. Meyer, R.M. Bruckmaier
ASAS meeting 21.-25. July 2002 in Quebec
Journal of Dairy Science 85, supplement 1, p 8

Inflammatory factors are known to change during mastitis. This study was conducted to determine changes of mRNA expression of various immunologically important factors in mammary tissue during the first 12 h of lipopolysaccharid (LPS) stimulated mastitis. Five healthy lactating cows were intramammary injected in one quarter with 100 µg E.coli-LPS (O26:B6) and the contralateral quarter with saline (9 g/l) serving as control. mRNA expression in mammary biopsy samples of various factors at 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 h after LPS administration was quantified by real-time RT-PCR. Blood samples were taken following the same time course and rectal temperature was measured at 1-h intervals. Temperature increased until 5 h (P<0.05) after LPS administration and decreased to preinfusion level within 24 h after LPS-challenge. Blood leukocyte (WBC) number decreased (P<0.05) from 0 to 3 h from 7.7±1.1 x 109/l to 5.7±1.0 x 109/l and thereafter recovered to pretreatment levels until 12 h after LPS-challenge. In LPS-challenged quarters tumor necrosis factor a and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA expression increased to highest values (P<0.05) at 3h after LPS-challenge. Lactoferrin, lysozyme, inducible nitric oxide synthase increased (P<0.05) and peaked at 6 h after challenge, while platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase mRNA increased only numerically. mRNA expression of the investigated factors did not change in control quarters. mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor-1, 5-lipoxygenase and of aS1-Casein (CN), aS2-CN, b-CN and b-lactoglobulin did not change significantly, whereas mRNA expression of a-lactalbumin decreased (P<0.05) in both quarters and that of k-CN only in the LPS quarter. In conclusion, mRNA expression of most inflammatory factors changed within hours, whereas that of most milk proteins remained unchanged.



  (German) 

http://www.tec.agrar.tu-muenchen.de/landtech/deutsch/projekte/eurotier2002/literatur.html

mRNA Nachweis immunrelevanter Faktoren im Eutergewebe von
Milchkühen während einer E. Coli Endotoxin induzierten Mastitis

Michael W. Pfaffl, Susanne Schmitz & Rupert M. Bruckmaier



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