Immune function in arctic mammals:Natural killer (NK) cell-like activity in polar bear, muskox and reindeer

Natural killer (NK) cells are a vital part of the rapid and non-specific immune defense against invading pathogens and tumor cells. This study evaluated NK cell-like activity by flow cytometry for the first time in three ecologically and culturally important Arctic mammal species: polar bear (Ursus...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
Main Authors: Desforges, Jean Pierre, Jasperse, Lindsay, Jensen, Trine Hammer, Groendahl, Carsten, Bertelsen, Mads F., De Guise, Sylvain, Sonne, Christian, Dietz, Rune, Levin, Milton
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: 2018
Subjects:
Immunology
Arctic mammals
NK function
Health assessment
Cryopreservation
Arctic
muskox
ovibos moschatus
Rangifer tarandus
Ursus maritimus
Online Access:https://vbn.aau.dk/da/publications/7056dc0e-aa65-4d9e-8f8d-d75aecd59748
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2017.11.010
Description
Summary:Natural killer (NK) cells are a vital part of the rapid and non-specific immune defense against invading pathogens and tumor cells. This study evaluated NK cell-like activity by flow cytometry for the first time in three ecologically and culturally important Arctic mammal species: polar bear (Ursus maritimus), muskox (Ovibos moschatus) and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). NK cell-like activity for all three species was most effective against the mouse lymphoma cell line YAC-1, compared to the human leukemia cell line K562; NK cell response displayed the characteristic increase in cytotoxic activity when the effector:target cell ratio increased. Comparing NK activity between fresh and cryopreserved mouse lymphocytes revealed little to no difference in function, highlighting the applicability of cryopreserving cells in field studies. The evaluation of this important innate immune function in Arctic mammals can contribute to future population health assessments, especially as pollution-induced suppression of immune function may increase infectious disease susceptibility.

Similar Items