Protective effect of CpG-DNA against mastitis induced by Staphylococcus aureus infection in a rat model

A mastitis model in rats, induced by Staphylococcus aureus infection, was established and the protective effect of CpG-DNA on this model was determined. A S. aureus suspension containing 2 × 103 CFU·mL− 1 (SL group), 2 × 105 CFU·mL− 1 (SH group) or 100 μL PBS (CON group) was inoculated into the mammary glands of rats 72 h after parturition. The rats were euthanized at 24 h post-infection. The histopathologic changes in mammary tissue from SL were mild, whereas the structural changes of the mammary gland from SH were severe and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) accumulated in mammary alveoli. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and N-acetyl-β-d-Glucosaminidase (NAGase) in mammary tissue from SH were significantly increased, however, those from SL were not significantly changed. Therefore, 2 × 105 CFU·mL− 1 was selected to test the potential protective effect of CpG-DNA on mammary glands. CpG-DNA (200 μg) or PBS (100 μL) controls were intramuscularly injected right after parturition of rats. At 72 h post-partum, 2 × 105 CFU·mL− 1of S. aureus (100 μL) were inoculated into the mammary gland of all rats and at pre-infection (0 h), 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h after inoculation six rats were euthanatized. CpG-DNA induced more rapid migration of PMNs from blood to mammary tissue at the initial stage of infection, stimulated the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α at different time points, reduced viable S. aureus in mammary tissue and decreased the activity of NAGase. CpG-DNA also promoted the expression of its specific receptor TLR-9 mRNA in mammary tissue. In conclusion, CpG-DNA protected against S. aureus mastitis in a rat model.