Analysis of regulatory T cell activation markers in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected and control placenta samples from early and late term pregnancy

Author

Nikki Nikkia Lockett

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Coats, S. Karen

Committee Member

Wise, Dwayne

Committee Member

Pharr, Gregory

Date of Degree

12-11-2009

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Biological Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Abstract

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV is the leading cause of pediatric AIDS; however, mechanisms by which HIV compromises pregnancy are not understood. CD4+CD25+ T-regulatory (Treg) cells play a role in pregnancy maintenance. RNA from early and late gestation placentas and fetuses from FIV-infected and control cats were probed for expression of FIV gag and Treg markers CD25, FOXP3, and CTLA4, using real time reverse-transcriptase (RT)-PCR. High rates of vertical transmission and reproductive failure were detected in early and late pregnancy. In control animals, both FOXP3 and CTLA4 expression decreased with gestational stage, indicating a natural decline in Tregs. Expression of FOXP3 and CTLA4 was decreased at early gestation in FIV-infected queens and a trend toward decreased expression of CD25, FOXP3, and CTLA4 in placentas from FIV-infected queens producing non-viable pregnancies was observed as well. Our results suggest that FIV infection may alter placental Treg function and adversely affect pregnancy outcome.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/15527

Recommended Citation

Lockett, Nikki Nikkia, "Analysis of regulatory T cell activation markers in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected and control placenta samples from early and late term pregnancy" (2009). Theses and Dissertations. 654.
https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/td/654