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Veterinary Medical Sciences - Pathobiological Sciences

Cytokines and aeroallergens in the pathogenesis of summer-pasture associated obstructive pulmonary disease: effects on endothelin production, neutrophil activation and chemotaxis

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Summer pasture-associated obstructive pulmonary disease (SPAOPD), a naturally occurring airway disease of horses, is characterized by clinical exacerbation associated with exposure to pasture environment during the summer. Aeroallergens are believed to trigger exacerbation of SPAOPD, cytokines are likely associated with the anamnestic response to aeroallergens, and endothelin (ET)-1 is a potential mediator of airway obstruction. The goal of this dissertation was to describe and explore the interaction of aeroallergens triggering inflammation and T lymphocytes cytokine profile with the recruitment and activation of neutrophils and synthesis of ET-1 by mononuclear leukocytes and airway epithelial cells. The temporal pattern of clinical exacerbation was associated with hot and humid conditions and with increases in grass pollen and mold spore counts. Circulating concentrations of ET-1 were increased during clinical exacerbation of SPAOPD compared with remission and controls. Gene expression of ET-1 and cytokines, interleukin (IL)-8 and IL-4, but not interferon (IFN)-γ, tended to be greater in lungs of SPAOPD-affected than non-affected horses. The immunoreactive ET-1 distribution tended to be greater in airway tissues of affected horses. The putative aeroallergens, grass pollen & mold spores, and ET-1 induced neutrophil activation and chemotaxis in vitro. Putative aeroallergens induced IL-4 and IFN-γ expression and up-regulation of ET-1 release in mononuclear leukocytes. Cultures of airway epithelial cells were established under air-liquid interface and microgravity conditions and evaluated for differentiation. Cytokines IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α induced up-regulation and directional (basolateral) release of ET-1 by differentiated airway epithelial cells, grown under air-liquid interface.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Veterinary Pathology and Pathobiology
Grantor
Veterinary Medical Sciences - Pathobiological Sciences
Year dc:date.available
2005

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Costa, Lais Rosa Rodrigues

Subjects

dc:subject × 6

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • unrestricted
  • Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:repository.lsu.edu:gradschool_dissertations-1291

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Lousiana State University
Base URL
repository.lsu.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Costa, Lais Rosa Rodrigues. Cytokines and aeroallergens in the pathogenesis of summer-pasture associated obstructive pulmonary disease: effects on endothelin production, neutrophil activation and chemotaxis. Dissertation thesis, Veterinary Medical Sciences - Pathobiological Sciences, 2005. https://doi.org/10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.292