Artificial induction of azurocytes in the meadow vole (Microtus Pennsylvanicus)

Mihok, Steve; Schwartz, B.

doi:10.1016/0742-8413(91)90102-y

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…Histochemically, azurocytes and Kurloff cells are nearly identical (Mihok et al 1987). However, the Kurloff cell differs from the azurocyte in that it can be induced with estrogen (Ledingham 1940), while AZ are induced by progestins (Mihok & Schwartz 1991a). The Kurloff cell has NK activity (Eremin et al 1980), as have other cells also associated with pregnancy in other mammals: large granular lymphocytes (LGLs) of humans (Iwatania et al 1989) and uterine NK cells of rodents (Head 1996).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It has also been suggested that immunologic stimulation can raise Kurloff cells in guinea pigs (Revell 1977), and experimental infection of M. pennsylvanicus with Reovirus-3 induced AZ maturation (Mihok & Schwartz 1991a). Because the seasonal pattern of AZ in young males is similar to that observed for monocytes and neutrophils (Beldomenico et al 2008b), stimulation by an antigen is suggested here, too.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More than two decades ago, a unique leukocyte of rodents in the genus Microtus was described and named an ‘azurocyte’ (AZ), due to the outstanding purple granules present in its cytoplasm (Mihok et al 1987). The cell is particularly common in late pregnancy (Mihok 1987), and can be induced by progestins both in males and females (Mihok et al 1987;Mihok & Schwartz 1991a). Based on similarities with other mammal cells with Natural Killer (NK) activity (Kurloff cells and large granular lymphocytes), it was suggested that these cells may be NK cells unique to the vole (Mihok & Schwartz 1991b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Azurocytes in Wild Field Voles: Factors Associated with Their Occurrence

et al. 2008

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The occurrence of azurocytes (AZ), a type of leukocyte unique to voles and previously described for three Microtus species, is now reported in Microtus agrestis. The goal of this study was to shed new light on the possible function and significance of these cells and on how they play a role in the natural history of rodent species. Individuals from three vole populations were sampled monthly for 2 years. A hemogram was produced for each individual, and AZ counts estimated. The counts of AZ were much higher in pregnant females, and these levels were higher the higher the past vole density. Males had low prevalences and counts, both for breeding and nonbreeding individuals, but they showed a seasonality that varied with age, body condition, and current and past vole density. Also, the occurrence of AZ in males was more likely after they had had low levels of indicators of condition, suggesting that azurocytes may result from a response to infection. Hence, overall our results suggest that, in females, these cells may be important for reproduction and may have a role in inducing abortion when conditions are not favorable, while in males they might be a response to infection.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Azurocytes in Wild Field Voles: Factors Associated with Their Occurrence

et al. 2008

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“…This suggests that overall neutrophil homeostasis is mediated by corticosterone. Neutrophils are the first line of defense against infection, and are a pivotal component of the inflammatory response, increasing markedly after the injection of glucocorticoids [47].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hormetic effects of gamma radiation on the stress axis of natural populations of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

Boonstra

Manzon

Mihok

et al. 2005

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

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We tested the hypothesis that low doses of gamma radiation have beneficial, hormetic effects on the stress axis (the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis) of free-ranging meadow vole populations (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Voles were exposed to chronic gamma radiation from a 137Cs field irradiator. In isolated populations, voles received one of three treatments over a four-year period: Controls (0.19-0.42 microGy/h--levels that were 2-5x above background levels [0.1 microGy/h] and live-trapped in all years--1982--1985), low doses (22.6 microGy/h--50-200x background, live-trapped from November 1982--April 1985), or high doses (3,840 microGy/h--40,000x background, live-trapped from November 1983--April 1985). Voles exposed to a low dose had levels of free and total corticosterone that were significantly higher than those in the control or high-dose groups. Differences in response to radiation between the sexes were apparent for maximum corticosterone-binding capacity, with females exposed to low doses having higher binding capacity than control or high-dose females, whereas males exposed to low doses had lower binding capacity than control or high-dose males. Low-dose voles had higher counts of neutrophils than either the controls or high-dose voles; hematocrit was greater in the controls than in irradiated voles. These results indicate that voles display a hormetic response to radiation, wherein low doses of an otherwise harmful agent produce a beneficial effect. The stimulation of the stress axis resulting in the increased secretion of glucocorticoids, which may protect against the excessive actions of the immune and inflammatory responses, may be a key mechanism producing this effect.

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“…Azurocytes (AZ) are lymphocytes specific to microtine rodents which closely resemble natural killer (NK) cells. They are particularly common in late pregnancy and inducible by progestins both in males and females (Mihok et al 1987; Mihok and Schwartz, 1991). Beldomenico et al (2008 c ) found that the counts of AZ were indeed much higher in pregnant females, and that these counts were positively correlated with past vole density.…”

Section: Haematology and Measures Of Host Conditionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Host–parasite biology in the real world: the field voles of Kielder

et al. 2014

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SUMMARYResearch on the interactions between the field voles (Microtus agrestis) of Kielder Forest and their natural parasites dates back to the 1930s. These early studies were primarily concerned with understanding how parasites shape the characteristic cyclic population dynamics of their hosts. However, since the early 2000s, research on the Kielder field voles has expanded considerably and the system has now been utilized for the study of host–parasite biology across many levels, including genetics, evolutionary ecology, immunology and epidemiology. The Kielder field voles therefore represent one of the most intensely and broadly studied natural host–parasite systems, bridging theoretical and empirical approaches to better understand the biology of infectious disease in the real world. This article synthesizes the body of work published on this system and summarizes some important insights and general messages provided by the integrated and multidisciplinary study of host–parasite interactions in the natural environment.

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Artificial induction of azurocytes in the meadow vole (Microtus Pennsylvanicus)

Cited by 5 publications

References 21 publications

Azurocytes in Wild Field Voles: Factors Associated with Their Occurrence

Azurocytes in Wild Field Voles: Factors Associated with Their Occurrence

Hormetic effects of gamma radiation on the stress axis of natural populations of meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

Host–parasite biology in the real world: the field voles of Kielder

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