Abstract
Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) has been used to examine mitogen-stimulated cytokine gene expression in beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).1 Cytokines can be biomarkers of inflammation,2,3 predicting onset and/or progression of disease, and allowing treatment before other clinical signs appear.4-7 Using qPCR, PBMC cytokine expression profiles can be determined from a limited amount of blood. Therefore, qPCR-based cytokine assays could supplement clinical data from routine blood draws by signaling changes in immune status. We compared cytokine message between a beluga whale facing an immune challenge and a healthy companion at two aquaria. In both case studies, mitogens stimulated increased TNFα and Cox2 message in PBMC from the abnormal whale over the control. These results support further elucidation of beluga PBMC cytokine profiles for use as immune biomarkers.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Tracy J. Porter for technical assistance and the animal care teams at Shedd and Mystic Aquariums for sample collection and shipping.
* Presenting author
+ Student presenter
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