Simulated bacterial infection disrupts the circadian fluctuation of immune cells in wrinkle-lipped bats (Chaerephon plicatus)

PeerJ

Sara Bumrungsri¹  Philipp Weise²  Oliver Lindecke²  Christian C. Voigt²  Gábor A. Czirják³ 

[1] Department of Biology, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand;Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany;Department of Wildlife Diseases, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany;

关键词: Acute phase response;    Diurnal immune changes;    Eosinophils;    Neutrophils;    Body mass loss;    Leukocytosis;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.3570

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Background Leukocyte concentrations follow a circadian pattern in mammals, with elevated values at times of potential contact with pathogens and parasites. We hypothesized that this pattern is disturbed after an immune challenge. Methods In Thailand, we captured wrinkle-lipped bats (Chaerephon plicatus), when they returned to their colony at dawn. We challenged half of the animals (experimental group) with bacterial lipopolysaccharides and treated the others only with the carrier liquid (control group). We then compared body mass changes and differences in circulating immune cell counts at 8 h post-treatment. Results In experimental animals, we observed an increase in total leukocyte and neutrophil numbers of 17% and 95%, respectively. In control animals, concentrations of leukocytes decreased by 44% and those of neutrophils remained constant. Experimental treatment had no effect on lymphocytes, yet changes in eosinophil numbers were explained by sex. Eosinophils decreased by 66% in females and by 62% in males. Basophils and monocytes were rarest among all observed cell types and analysis was either impossible because of low numbers or yielded no significant effects, respectively. Discussion Our findings show that a simulated bacterial infection triggered a neutrophil-associated immune response in wrinkle-lipped bats, indicating a disruption of the diurnal fluctuation of immune cells. Our study suggests that bats exhibit circadian rhythms in immune cell counts. The magnitude of these fluctuations may vary across species according to specific-specific infection risks associated with colony sizes or specific roosting habits.

【 授权许可】

Unknown