The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, is an economically important pest of livestock. Prior studies demonstrated lymphocyte suppression by crude salivary gland extract (SGE) of the stable fly. A dominant 27 kDa protein identified in the SGE was reported to stimulate immunodominant antibody responses in exposed cattle. The purpose of this study was to determine if this protein, now identified as a homolog of insect proteins named antigen 5 (Ag5), was responsible for the lymphocyte suppression and if naïve calves can mount an immune response to it. Calves raised in the winter months were immunized with recombinant Ag5 (rAg5) expressed in Drosophila S2 cells or with "natural" Ag5 protein isolated by preparative gel electrophoresis of SGE. Control calves were immunized with adjuvant alone. Rising antibody concentrations to rAg5 were detected in two of three calves immunized with rAg5 and one of three calves immunized with natural Ag5. Recall lymphocyte responses to rAg5 were detected at 21 and 28 DPI in calves immunized with rAg5 but not in calves immunized with the natural Ag5 or those exposed to adjuvant alone. Mitogen-stimulated bovine lymphocyte responses were not suppressed by rAg5. Further investigation using immunoblotting revealed that rAg5 binds to the Fc and F(ab') 2 portions of bovine IgG, but not to an Fab fragment. These findings suggest that Ag5 of the stable fly salivary gland is not immunosuppressive, but has immunoglobulin binding properties and can invoke specific antibody and memory lymphocyte responses in immunized calves.Keywords bovine lymphocytes; lymphocyte suppression; antibody; stable fly; salivary gland protein The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), is an economically important pest affecting the health of cattle in feedlots (Campbell et al. 1987) and dairies (Stork 1979). The latest estimate for economic loss to the U.S. livestock industry is $428 million/year (Kunz et al. 1991). Within the past decade several investigators have noted the stable fly has extended its pest distribution to range or pastured cattle (Campbell et al. 2001a, Campbell et al. 2001c. Studies indicate that the wasted hay/manure mixture at winter feeding sites of hay in round bales is the main source

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, is an economically important pest of livestock. Prior studies demonstrated lymphocyte suppression by crude salivary gland extract (SGE) of the stable fly. A dominant 27 kDa protein identified in the SGE was reported to stimulate immunodominant antibody responses in exposed cattle. The purpose of this study was to determine if this protein, now identified as a homolog of insect proteins named antigen 5 (Ag5), was responsible for the lymphocyte suppression and if naïve calves can mount an immune response to it. Calves raised in the winter months were immunized with recombinant Ag5 (rAg5) expressed in Drosophila S2 cells or with "natural" Ag5 protein isolated by preparative gel electrophoresis of SGE. Control calves were immunized with adjuvant alone. Rising antibody concentrations to rAg5 were detected in two of three calves immunized with rAg5 and one of three calves immunized with natural Ag5. Recall lymphocyte responses to rAg5 were detected at 21 and 28 DPI in calves immunized with rAg5 but not in calves immunized with the natural Ag5 or those exposed to adjuvant alone. Mitogen-stimulated bovine lymphocyte responses were not suppressed by rAg5. Further investigation using immunoblotting revealed that rAg5 binds to the Fc and F(ab') 2 portions of bovine IgG, but not to an Fab fragment. These findings suggest that Ag5 of the stable fly salivary gland is not immunosuppressive, but has immunoglobulin binding properties and can invoke specific antibody and memory lymphocyte responses in immunized calves. Keywords bovine lymphocytes; lymphocyte suppression; antibody; stable fly; salivary gland protein The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), is an economically important pest affecting the health of cattle in feedlots (Campbell et al. 1987) and dairies (Stork 1979). The latest estimate for economic loss to the U.S. livestock industry is $428 million/year (Kunz et al. 1991). Within the past decade several investigators have noted the stable fly has extended its pest distribution to range or pastured cattle (Campbell et al. 2001a, Campbell et al. 2001c). Studies indicate that the wasted hay/manure mixture at winter feeding sites of hay in round bales is the main source

Phospholipase D (PLD) is encoded by a multiple gene family, and several PLDs from Arabidopsis have been characterized at the molecular biological and biochemical levels. PLDalpha is the most abundant plant PLD and exhibits a number of different biochemical properties to the other isoforms. The other PLDs have many overlapping catalytic properties but display some unique patterns of expression during development and in response to stress cues. Accumulating data indicate that different PLDs have multiple and different roles in plant responses to stress.