Expression of the bovine neutrophil β-defensins4 (BNBD4) and 10 (BNBD10), and β-defensin 1(DEFB1) in the bovine mammary gland with chronic mastitis by Staphylococcus aureus

Bovine mastitis is the most costly infectious disease of dairy cattle worldwide and ischaracterized by inflammation of the mammary gland. The etiology of the pathogens influences the severity of the inflammation and the immune response, and specifically some elements of the innate immunity, like the antimicrobial peptides, are known to display some pathogen specificity. The antimicrobial peptides play an important role in the innate immune defense mechanisms of the mammary gland against mastitis causative microorganisms. In the present study the expression of three β -defensins was estimated across 5 localizations of the mammary gland infected with Sthapylococcus aureus , by quantitative real-time PCR. Copies of mRNA for BNBD10 and DEFB1 were detected in Lymph node, parenchyma, streak canal, cisterna, andRosette of Furstenberg, with the highest level observed in lymph node and the lowest in Rosette of Furstenberg, and the level of expression was higher for BNBD10 . The level of mRNA expression for BNBD4 was very low in all localizations, with respect to BNBD10 and DEFB1 . Therefore, BNBD10 and DEFB1 could play a key role in the mammary gland with mastitis by S. aureus .