Author(s): SOUZA, B. M. P. da S.; LAMBERT, S. M.; NISHI, S. M.; BENAVIDES, M. V.; BERNE, M. E. A.; MADRUGA, C. R.; ALMEIDA, M. A. O. de

Summary: Galectins and collectins are proteins classi!ed in the lectin family that have the ability to recognize molecular patterns associated with pathogens. Studies on cattle have demonstrated high expression of these proteins during infection with gastrointestinal nematodes. "e aim of this study was to investigate whether the level of Haemonchus contortus infection would alter the expression of galectins (Gal11 and Gal14) and collectins (SPA and CGN) in sheep. Twelve Corriedale sheep exposed to natural infection with nematodes were divided into two groups: group 1 (G1, n = 7) and group 2 (G2, n = 5), with low and high parasite burdens, respectively, based on fecal egg counts and abomasal parasite counts. The fecal egg counts and abomasal parasite counts were signi!cantly di#erent (p < 0.05) between the groups. Galectin and collectin gene expression was observed in all sheep abomasal samples. However, animals with lower infection levels showed lower expression of the genes Gal14, SPA and CGN (p < 0.05). Expression of lectins was associated with the abomasal H. contortus burden, thus suggesting that these proteins may have a role in controlling of this infection.

Publication year: 2015

Types of publication: Journal article

Unit: Embrapa Fisheries and Aquaculture

Keywords: Helminths, Helminto, Imunidade, Innate immunity, Lectina, Lectins, Ovelha, PCR, Pequenos ruminantes, Ruminante, Sheep, Small ruminants