The recombinant Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) PPE protein, Map41, which has been reported as one of the interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-inducing antigens of Map, also significantly induced the secretion of interleukin-10 (IL-10) from blood cells obtained from infected calves. The elicited IL-10 production in response to Map41 from experimentally infected calves was detectable as early as 2 weeks after inoculation with Map. In addition, the IL-10 production was detected earlier than IFN-γ production. Furthermore, the induction of IL-10 also showed high specificity to Map in calves and guinea pigs experimentally infected with various Mycobacterium species. These observations suggest that an IL-10 assay is a useful diagnostic test in the early stage of Johne's disease.
(Research Team for Paratuberculosis, TEL +81-29-838-7708)
Reference:
Nagata, R. et al. (2010) Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol. 135:71-78.