Measuring the Effects of Intensive Forest Management on Innate ImmunityWhole blood bactericidal activity in wild deer mice (Peromyscus

maniculatus) in Oregon.

Natalie RogersWith the help of:

Dr. Rhea Hanselmann

In the lab of:Dr. Anna Jolles

Department of Biomedical Sciences

Background:Ecosystem erosion

e.g. intensive forest management (IFM)

Health suffers

Change in community compositio

n

http://sogweb.sog.unc.edu/blogs/localgovt/?attachment_id=5246http://www.topboxdesign.com/urban-development-project-in-shibam-yemen/urban-development-project-landscape-architecture/

Background (Cont.)

ImmunocompetenceInnate immune systemThe wild deer mouse (Peromyscus

maniculatus)Loss of habitat and stressors can impact this

species’ ability to fight pathogensDisease transmission

HypothesisInnate immunity in wild deer mice can

be negatively impacted by intensive forest management practices.

Intensive forest management erodes

ecosystem

Change in community composition

Innate immunity impaired

ObjectiveTo assess the innate immune system in wild deer mice (P. maniculatus) inhabiting intensely managed forestry sites in the Oregon coast range by measuring the bactericidal activity of whole blood.

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MethodsLocation:

Two sites Six plots/site

Older stands Clearcut control Intensively treated

Trapping:Sherman live traps~180 traps/site

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Site 1

Site 2

Sites:Older

StandsControl Treatment

Methods (cont.)

Whole blood bactericidal assay (BCA)Escherichia coli + Whole Blood + Medium →

Agar

Bacterial killing capacity (BKC) =(# of colonies on control plates)-(# of colonies on dilution

plates)(# of colonies on control plates)

Predicted ResultsBKC of wild deer mice will differ by management level:

Older Stands:High BKC

Control:

?Treatment:Low BKC

Results – What was Caught?

0

5

10

15

20

25

Older Stands Control

Treatment

Management Levels

Nu

mb

er

of

Deer

Mic

e

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v472/n7344/full/472392a.html

Results: How does IFM affect innate immunity?

0.65

0.7

0.75

0.8

0.85

0.9

1:23 Dilution

Management Level

BK

C

OlderStands Control Treatment

DiscussionHow do the different management levels

affect BKC?

What could cause this? Herbicides, resource availability, territoriality, etc.

0.65

0.7

0.75

0.8

0.85

0.9

1:23 Dilution

Management Level

BK

C

Older Stands Control Treatment

DiscussionOther dilutions show reversed trend:

Could be caused by confounding variables parasites, disease status, physiology etc.

1:471:110

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

BK

C

Management Levels

OlderStands

OlderStandsControl ControlTreatment Treatment

ConclusionsTrend shows management may affect BKC at

1:23 dilution.

This trend is reversed for lower and higher dilutions.

Data is preliminary.

Ecosystems can have effect on health and immunity, but in which way remains unclear.

Special thanks to:Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Department of Biomedical Sciences

Dr. Rhea HanselmannDr. Anna Jolles

Dr. Kevin Ahern

Jolles lab field crew

Thank you for the opportunity!

Any Questions?