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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #381432
Research Project: Rift Valley Fever Pathogenesis, Epidemiology, and Control Measures

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Title: Early immune response and cytokine induction of PBMC-derived bovine macrophages to infection with Rift Valley fever virus in the presence and absence of Culex tarsalis mosquito saliva

Author
item SCHIRTZINGER, ERIN - Kansas State University
item DAVIS, A. SALLY - Kansas State University
item Wilson, William - Bill

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/9/2021
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Interpretive Summary not required in accordance with ARS-115 Publications P & P 152.1 v.5 (10/19/2019)chapter 5 page 31 Matrix for Data Entry Determinations.kmm

Technical Abstract: Macrophages play a critical role as phagocytes in the innate immune system and produce cytokines that stimulate the adaptive immune system. As in other arboviral diseases, macrophages and dendritic cells are thought to be early infection targets of Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV). To investigate their role in early immune response, bovine primary macrophages from 3 biological replicates were infected with attenuated RVFV MP-12 in the presence and absence of Culex tarsalis saliva. The macrophage lineage of the cells and RVFV infection were confirmed by dual label immunofluorescence for IBA-1 (macrophage marker) and RVFV nucleoprotein. At 0, 8 and 24 hours post infection (hpi) RNA was collected, reverse-transcribed and analyzed by qPCR for 4 reference, 6 early immune response and 9 cytokine genes. Relative gene expression differences between treatments and time points were tested with two-way ANOVAs using Tukey’s post-hoc tests with p-value correction for multiple tests. Bovine macrophages infected with MP-12 in the presence of saliva had no statistically significant gene expression differences when compared to virus only at any time point. Conversely, significant differences in gene expression were present when infected samples with and without saliva were compared to uninfected controls. At 8 and 24 hpi, transcription was significantly different than controls for all virus infected samples for 4 early immune response genes as well as for 6 cytokine genes. While Culex saliva may not enhance suppression of the early immune response in MP-12 infection, it may still have a role in virulent RVFV strain infections.