Selected Aspects of Camel Immune System and Immune Responses

The camel economy is of considerable importance for arid countries. In the last decade, studies about camel immune system and immune responses have recorded increasing interest. However, drawing a comprehensive picture of the camel immune system remains far from reached. A major part of this review is to cover the studies of the primary and secondary immune organs and the markers of the camel immune cells and certain lymphoid tissues. At the same time, immune responses to different diseases and the nature of effective immunity were included, with an emphasis on the most important zoonotic diseases in camels such as MERS CoV;brucellosis. New findings on the diversity mechanisms of camel immunoglobulin genes were addressed. However, detail of the mechanism of MHC-restricted cellular immunity and the mechanism of B lymphocyte activation in camels await further attention. Interestingly, the gross and the histological structure of the lymphoid tissues of the camel’s thymus, tonsils, and peyer’s patches have indicated significant differences from other animals in terms of structure and function. The most peculiar CD expression, such as LPAM-I, MAdCAM-1 and CX3CR1, in certain camel cells and tissues refers to possible extraordinary mechanisms of immune hemostasis in camel in comparison to other ruminants. The widely applied immunodiagnostic techniques to control camel diseases and to assist in improving the camel resistance were considered. Extensive studies of the camel immune system were greatly hampered by lack of specific reagents to camel markers and low funds in the field of camel immunology.

The Cellular Populations of Normal Camel (<i>Camelus dromedaries</i>) Milk

Overwhelming demand on the camel milk has considered camel mammary glands as an important organ. However, poor research of the camel mammary glands immune system is considered major obstacle in improving the camel welfare. The cellular population of camel milk at the mid-lactation was exploited using overlapping reactive antibodies. The CD markers and adhesion molecules, CD3+, CD8+, WC + 1+, CD62L, CD11b/c (MAC-1)and the LPAM-1 were studied with flow cytometer. The high expression of CD3+, CD8+, WC+1+ and LPAM-1 was detected in all of the examined samples. The CD62L, CD11b/c expression were not detected consistently. The cross reacted antibodies with camel CD markers have revealed interesting overview of the nature of the cellular activities in the camel mammary glands at the lactation period. The level of CD8+ cells is in parallel with the findings at the cattle mammary glands. The high level of WC + 1+ γδ cells in camel milk, despite the stage of the lactation and age, could indicate their significant role in the immunity of the camel mammary glands. The expression of the LPAM-1 on the lymphocytes has provided further support to the notion that the lymphocytes trafficking to the camel mammary glands could be of mucosal nature.