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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Ruminant Diseases and Immunology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #225699

Title: Bovine immunophysiology and genetics: a review of the research and career of J. L. Burton

Author
item MALLARD, B - ONTARIO VETERINARY COLLEG
item MCBRIDE, B - UNIVERSITY OF GUELPH
item Kehrli Jr, Marcus
item COUSSENS, P - MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/5/2008
Publication Date: 3/15/2009
Citation: Mallard, B.A., McBride, B.W., Kehrli, Jr., M.E., Coussens, P.M. 2009. Bovine Immunophysiology and Genetics: a Review of the Research and Career of J. L. Burton. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. 128(1-3):96-103.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In this review, the research career of Dr. Burton at various stages of her career are summarized, including her postdoctoral research at the USDA-ARS-National Animal Disease Center. The late Professor Jeanne Burton conducted research related to bovine immunophysiology and immunogenetics, with particular emphasis on the peripartum period when various production stressors are known to negatively impact immunity and alter gene expression patterns. She published over 60 manuscripts in a variety of highly reputable journals and was a sought after conference speaker that was well known for her collaborative efforts. Dr. Burton's research delineating the effects of glucocorticoids on CD62L and CD18 expression was recognized in 2001 by the Council of the Society of Leukocyte Biology as one of the most cited articles in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology, over the previous 5 years. This research revealed for the first time a not previously recognized (in any species) mechanism of action of glucocorticoids as anti-inflammatory compounds. Impaired CD62L expression in humans is known to cause an immunologic deficiency resulting in recurrent infectious diseases. Dr. Burton's finding of glucocorticoids impairing CD62L expression is relevant to the occurrence of various infectious diseases (mastitis, metritis and retained placenta, diarrhea, and pneumonia) observed in cows and calves during the first few days after calving or birth.