Upregulation of IL-10 gene expression in porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Several lines of evidence suggest that porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) may have immunomodulatory effects on the host immune system. To determine the effect of PRRSV on cytokine production, a multiplex PCR was established. This allowed a semi-quantitative analysis of IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene expression levels from porcine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). These results showed that both live and inactivated PRRSV predominantly upregulated IL-10 gene expression in porcine PBMCs. In addition, when PBMCs from pigs immunized previously with classical swine fever virus (CSFV) vaccine were cultivated with the recall antigen, CSFV, in the presence of PRRSV, significant upregulation of IL-10 gene expression and reduction of IFN-gamma gene expression were observed. These findings indicated that the presence of PRRSV in the culture could affect recall antigen response. This study implies that the induction of IL-10 production may be one of the strategies used by PRRSV to modulate host immune responses.