金黄色葡萄球菌诱导的乳腺炎小鼠脾脏Th细胞变化研究

Objective: To study the dynamics of T helper cell subsets and related cytokines and transcription factors and its significance in spleen in mice during experimentally induced Staphylococcus aureus mastitis Methods: We firstly established a murine mastitis model by challenge with an inoculum of Staphylococcus aureus, and then, the number of each T helper cell subsets and the mRNA level of their associated factors were assessed in spleen by flow cytometry and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. Results: At the indicated time points after Staphylococcus aureus infection, the proportion of Th2 cells and Th17 cells in CD4+ lymphocytes were significantly increased, respectively, whereas, the proportion of regulatory T cells was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Moreover, the mRNA expression of genes encoding cytokines and transcription factors involved in the differentiation and function of various T helper cells, was greatly elevated in spleen (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Mastitis is not only a local inflammation of the mammary gland, but also involved in various T helper cell subsets in spleen via pro-inflammatory cytokine production to mediate effective immune responses against Staphylococcus aureus infection in mastitis.