Characterization of IL-10-producing neutrophils in cattle infected with Ostertagia ostertagi

Sci Rep. 2019 Dec 30;9(1):20292. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-56824-x.

Abstract

IL-10 is a master regulator of immune responses, but its cellular source and function in cattle during the initial phase of immune priming have not been well established. Despite a massive B cell response in the abomasal draining lymph nodes in Ostertagia ostertagi (OO)-infected cattle, protective immunity is slow to develop, and partial protection requires years of repeated exposure. In addressing this problem, our initial hypothesis was that B cells produce IL-10 that downregulates the host protective immune response. However, our results showed that neutrophils made up the majority of IL-10-producing cells in circulation and in secondary lymphoid tissues, particularly the spleen (80%). Conversely, IL-10-producing B cells were rare. In addition, approximately 10% to 20% of the neutrophils in the blood and spleen expressed MHC II and were IL-10 negative, suggesting that neutrophils could also participate in antigen presentation. In vitro investigation of bovine neutrophils revealed that exposure thereof to OO extract increased IL-10 and MHC II expression in these cells in a dose-dependent manner, consistent with IL-10+/MHC II+ neutrophils detected in cattle shortly after experimental OO infection. Co-culture of untreated neutrophils with anti-CD3 antibody (Ab)-stimulated CD4+ T cells led to enhanced T cell activation; also, IL-10 depletion with neutralizing Ab enhanced the stimulatory function of neutrophils. OO extract depressed neutrophil stimulation of CD4+ T cells in the presence of IL-10-neutralizing Ab, suggesting that OO utilizes both IL-10-dependent and independent mechanisms to manipulate the bovine immune response. Finally, contact and viability were required for T cell-stimulatory neutrophil function. This report, to the best of our knowledge, is the first to demonstrate that neutrophil-derived IL-10 is directly involved in T cell regulation in cattle. Our data suggest that neutrophils and neutrophil-derived IL-10 are co-opted by nematode parasites and other pathogens to attenuate host immune responses and facilitate pathogen survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Biopsy
  • Cattle
  • Gene Expression
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Host-Parasite Interactions* / immunology
  • Interleukin-10 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics
  • Leukocytes / immunology
  • Leukocytes / metabolism
  • Leukocytes / pathology
  • Lymphoid Tissue / immunology
  • Lymphoid Tissue / metabolism
  • Lymphoid Tissue / pathology
  • Neutrophils / immunology*
  • Neutrophils / metabolism*
  • Ostertagia* / immunology
  • Ostertagiasis / immunology
  • Ostertagiasis / metabolism*
  • Ostertagiasis / parasitology*
  • Ostertagiasis / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Interleukin-10