In vitro study of the role of vitamin D_3 in activating the peripheral bovine blood monocytes pulsed with Mycobacterium bovis BCG

摘要

Bovine tuberculosis, a disease of public health importance, caused by Mycobacterium bovis has been a cause of great sufferings and economic losses to human beings and his livestock, particularly in the developing countries. The monocyte/macrophage is an important arm of the immune system, acts non-specifically to kill microorganisms, but mycobacteria multiply, persist and remain viable in resting monocytes (Edwards and Kirkpatrick. 1986; Aldwell et RAID.. 1996; Kremer et RAID., 1997). To kill this facultative intracellular pathogen, the activation of monocles is necessary (Rook, 1990). The role of vitamin D metabolites in immunomodulation and protection of macrophage from tubercle bacilli has been supported by several workers (Davies, 1985; Crowle and Ross, 1990; Lochner and Schneider, 1994), The antimycobacterial potential of activated monocytcs has been studied using rodent as model. The studies in cattle are few, hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the role of vitamin D_3 in activating peripheral bovine blood monocytes while combating M. bovis BCG.