L.M. Andrade, E.C.M.B. Sousa, A.C.S. Melo, G.S.S. Pardavil, R.A Silva, K.F. Valente, C.L.P. Santos, C.C.B. Braga, A.R Casseb, E. Silva Filho
Published: March 12, 2024
Genet. Mol. Res. 23(1): GMR19190
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr19190
Cite this Article:
L.M. Andrade, E.C.M.B. Sousa, A.C.S. Melo, G.S.S. Pardavil, R.A. Silva, K.F. Valente, C.L.P. Santos, C.C.B. Braga, A.R. Casseb, S. Filho (2024). Gene expression of cytokines in the blood of domestics cats infected and not infected by Feline alphaherpesvirus. Genet. Mol. Res. 23(1): GMR19190. https://doi.org/10.4238/gmr19190
About the Authors
L.M. Andrade, E.C.M.B. Sousa, A.C.S. Melo, G.S.S. Pardavil, R.A Silva,K.F. Valente, C.L.P. Santos, C.C.B. Braga, A.R Casseb, E. Silva Filho
Corresponding Author
L.M. Andrade
Email:luceliaandrade344@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The Feline alphaherpesvirus 1 (FeAHV1) is commonly identified as the causative agent of respiratory and ocular disease in domestic cats. Studies on the expression of cytokine genes are relevant, as these genes can be used as molecular markers for the diagnosis of feline viral rhinotracheitis. In this sense, the aim of this study was to characterize, for the first time, gene expression profiles of cytokines in the blood of domestic cats infected with FeAHV-1 in Belem, state of Pará, Brazil from September 2020 to March 2021. Ocular secretion samples from 55 domestic cats (domiciled cats and shelter cats) were collected using sterile swabs, and subjected to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction. These samples were evaluated using the conventional PCR technique to identify FeAHV1. Blood samples were also collected from 55 domestic cats for the expression study. After diagnosis of the virus, 12 blood samples were subjected to ribonucleic acid (RNA) extraction, of these samples, 6 were positive and 6 negative for FeAHV-1, subsequently the gene expression of six cytokines and the endogenous GAPDH gene was performed in these samples using the RT-PCR technique. The results revealed that of the 55 cats, nine cats were positive for FeHV-1 infection. The gene expression of cytokines performed in 12 samples showed that the cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 were significant, TNF-α showed higher expression in negative samples for the virus and IL-6 higher expression in positive samples for FeHV-1. Cytokines IL-1β, IFN-α, IFN-β and IFN-γ did not show significance. The present study provided data on the behavior of the immune system in cats infected with FeAHV-1 and may contribute to future research on new forms of treatment for feline viral rhinotracheitis.
Key words: FeAHV-1, Felis catus, Immune system.