Sm. Barrattboyes et al., RESPONSE OF THE REGIONAL LYMPH-NODE TO BLUETONGUE VIRUS-INFECTION IN CALVES, Veterinary immunology and immunopathology, 45(1-2), 1995, pp. 73-84
Bluetongue virus (BTV) infection of cattle is characterized by prolong
ed cell-associated viremia. In an effort to further evaluate the antiv
iral response of BTV-infected cattle, the role of the regional lymph n
ode (LN) in the immune response of calves to BTV was characterized. Ca
lves were inoculated with BTV in the skin of the neck in an area drain
ed by the superficial cervical LN. Calves were euthanized at regular i
ntervals after inoculation and both BTV-challenged and contralateral (
control) superficial cervical LNs were harvested, In addition, some ca
lves had cannulation of the superficial cervical efferent lymphatics p
rior to inoculation. Lymphocyte subpopulation analysis was done on LN
cell suspensions and lymph cells using a panel of cell-specific monocl
onal antibodies. There was a significant increase in the proportion of
B cells in the challenged LN after inoculation as compared with the c
ontrol LN. In addition, BTV-specific antibodies were detected in effer
ent lymph plasma from the challenged LN in one cannulated calf by 9 da
ys after inoculation (DAI), as determined by competitive enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay, whereas BTV-specific antibodies were not detecte
d in serum from this calf through 12 DAI. Analysis of lymph cells reve
aled a sustained increase in cell output from the challenged LN due to
an increase in lymphoblasts and CD8(+) T cells, In contrast, the cell
output from the control LN dropped markedly by 8 DAI and there was no
significant increase in any specific cell population. Double label an
alysis characterized lymphoblasts as activated CD8(+) cells, as determ
ined by expression of MHC Class II antigens (CD8(+) MHC II+). These ce
lls were only transiently present as CD8(+) MHC II+ cells were not ide
ntified in lymph from the challenged LN at 14 DAI. Few CD8(+) MHC IIcells were identified at any time in lymph from the control LN or in l
ymph from a mock infected calf. The data indicate that B cell prolifer
ation in the challenged LN and release of activated CD8(+) cells from
this LN were specific responses to BTV infection. The rapid expansion
of activated CD8(+) T cells indicates that these cells may limit early
viral spread. It is concluded that the regional LN draining inoculate
d skin is critical to the immune response of calves to BTV infection.