Ground squirrel splenic macrophages bind lipopolysaccharide over a wide range of temperatures at all phases of their annual hibernation cycle

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 2005 Jul;28(4):297-309. doi: 10.1016/j.cimid.2005.08.001. Epub 2005 Sep 22.

Abstract

This study evaluates binding of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by splenic macrophages from golden-mantled ground squirrels (Spermophilus lateralis, GMGS), a hibernating mammal, at a variety of in vitro incubation temperatures to determine whether this aspect of immune function is effective at low body temperatures. LPS-binding by ground squirrel macrophages was compared to that of rat splenic macrophages. Macrophages were collected from squirrels at discreet stages in their annual cycle and incubated with fluorescein-labeled LPS (LPS-FITC). The percentage of GMGS that bound LPS-FITC did not change as a function of hibernation season or as a function of incubation temperature. The total amount of LPS-FITC bound per cell was similarly unaffected by season or temperature, however, macrophages from torpid squirrels bound more LPS-FITC than cells from normothermic squirrels. Macrophages of golden-mantled ground squirrels bind LPS at a wide range of temperatures throughout their annual cycle; an ability shared between hibernators and non-hibernators alike.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Temperature / immunology
  • Flow Cytometry / veterinary
  • Hibernation / immunology*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / immunology*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / metabolism
  • Macrophages / immunology*
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Sciuridae / immunology*
  • Spleen / immunology*
  • Spleen / metabolism
  • Telemetry / veterinary

Substances

  • Lipopolysaccharides