Dietary l-arginine supplementation enhances porcine β-defensins gene expression in some tissues of weaned pigs

Mechanisms and regulation of defensins in host defense

As a family of cationic host defense peptides, defensins are mainly synthesized by Paneth cells, neutrophils, and epithelial cells, contributing to host defense. Their biological functions in innate immunity, as well as their structure and activity relationships, along with their mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential, have been of great interest in recent years. To highlight the key research into the role of defensins in human and animal health, we first describe their research history, structural features, evolution, and antimicrobial mechanisms. Next, we cover the role of defensins in immune homeostasis, chemotaxis, mucosal barrier function, gut microbiota regulation, intestinal development and regulation of cell death. Further, we discuss their clinical relevance and therapeutic potential in various diseases, including infectious disease, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes and obesity, chronic inflammatory lung disease, periodontitis and cancer. Finally, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the nutrient-dependent regulation of defensins, including fatty acids, amino acids, microelements, plant extracts, and probiotics, while considering the clinical application of such regulation. Together, the review summarizes the various biological functions, mechanism of actions and potential clinical significance of defensins, along with the challenges in developing defensins-based therapy, thus providing crucial insights into their biology and potential clinical utility.

Preventing Respiratory Viral Diseases with Antimicrobial Peptide Master Regulators in the Lung Airway Habitat

The vast surface area of the respiratory system acts as an initial site of contact for microbes and foreign particles. The whole respiratory epithelium is covered with a thin layer of the airway and alveolar secretions. Respiratory secretions contain host defense peptides (HDPs), such as defensins and cathelicidins, which are the best-studied antimicrobial components expressed in the respiratory tract. HDPs have an important role in the human body's initial line of defense against pathogenic microbes. Epithelial and immunological cells produce HDPs in the surface fluids of the lungs, which act as endogenous antibiotics in the respiratory tract. The production and action of these antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are critical in the host's defense against respiratory infections. In this study, we have described all the HDPs secreted in the respiratory tract as well as how their expression is regulated during respiratory disorders. We focused on the transcriptional expression and regulation mechanisms of respiratory tract HDPs. Understanding how HDPs are controlled throughout infections might provide an alternative to relying on the host's innate immunity to combat respiratory viral infections.

Emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogens from farm to table

Antibiotics have been overused and misused for preventive and therapeutic purposes. Specifically, antibiotics are frequently used as growth promoters for improving productivity and performance of food-producing animals such as pigs, cattle, and poultry. The increasing use of antibiotics has been of great concern worldwide due to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Food-producing animals are considered reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and residual antibiotics that transfer from the farm through the table. The accumulation of residual antibiotics can lead to additional antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Therefore, this review evaluates the risk of carriage and spread of antibiotic resistance through food chain and the potential impact of antibiotic use in food-producing animals on food safety. This review also includes in-depth discussion of promising antibiotic alternatives such as vaccines, immune modulators, phytochemicals, antimicrobial peptides, probiotics, and bacteriophages.

Significance of Endogenous Antimicrobial Peptides on the Health of Food Animals

Acquired resistance to in-feed antibiotic growth promoters continues to be an imperative problem in the livestock industries, thereby necessitating continuous pursuit for alternatives. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) represent a critical part of the host's innate immune system and have been documented to have immunomodulatory activity. Increasing research evidence suggests that in contrast to antibiotics, AMPs exert broad-spectrum antibacterial activity in a manner that reduces bacterial acquisition of resistance genes. This review summarizes current knowledge on the protective effects of endogenous (natural) AMPs in the gastrointestinal tract of food animals. Factors limiting the efficacy of these AMPs were also discussed and mitigating strategies were proposed.

L-Threonine upregulates the expression of β-defensins by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway and suppressing SIRT1 expression in porcine intestinal epithelial cells

The use of antimicrobial peptide (AMP), found in all forms of life and playing a pivotal role in the innate immune system, has been developed as a new strategy for maintaining intestinal health and reducing antibiotic usage due to its ability to resist pathogens and commensal microbes. The current study investigated the effects of l-threonine on β-defensin expression, the intestinal mucosal barrier and inflammatory cytokine expression in porcine intestinal epithelial cell lines (IPEC-J2). The results revealed that in IPEC-J2 cells, l-threonine significantly increased the expression of β-defensin (including pBD-1, pBD-2, and pBD-3) in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). By using different concentrations and treatment times of l-threonine, the results showed that the expression of β-defensin was upregulated to the greatest extent in IPEC-J2 cells cultured with 1 mM l-threonine for 24 h. Although the mRNA expression levels of β-defensins were markedly increased (P < 0.05), there was relatively little inducible pBD-1, pBD-2 and pBD-3 mRNA expression at the sub-confluent and confluent densities in comparison with post-confluent densities. Furthermore, we found that l-threonine enhanced the β-defensin expression by suppressing the expression of SIRT1, which increased acetylated p65 expression, and activating the NF-κB signaling pathway, which induced the translocation of p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. In addition, l-threonine significantly prevented LPS-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage by attenuating the decreasing tendency of the mRNA expression of Mucin1 and Mucin2 (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, l-threonine enhanced the expression of β-defensins upon LPS challenge in IPEC-J2 cells (P < 0.05). l-Threonine obviously decreased the mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines compared to that in untreated cells (P < 0.05). In conclusion, l-threonine can upregulate β-defensin expression and reduce inflammatory cytokine expression in IPEC-J2 cells; meanwhile, l-threonine alleviates LPS-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage in porcine intestinal epithelial cells. The l-threonine-mediated modulation of endogenous defensin expression may be a promising approach to reduce antibiotic use, enhance disease resistance and intestinal health in animals.

Inducible expression of defensins and cathelicidins by nutrients and associated regulatory mechanisms

Host defense peptides (HDPs) are crucial components of the body's first line of defense that protect organisms from infections and mediate immune responses. Defensins and cathelicidins are the two most important families of HDPs in mammals. In this review, we summarize the nutrients that are involved in inducible expression of endogenous defensins and cathelicidins. In addition, the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) signaling pathways that play vital roles in the induction of defensin and cathelicidin expression are highlighted. Endogenous defensins and cathelicidins induced by nutrients may be potential alternatives to antibiotic treatments against infection and diseases. This review mainly focuses on the inducible expression and regulatory mechanisms of defensins and cathelicidins in multiple species by different nutrients and the potential applications of defensin- and cathelicidin-inducing nutrients.

Tryptophan promoted β-defensin-2 expressionviathe mTOR pathway and its metabolites: kynurenine banding to aryl hydrocarbon receptor in rat intestine

In this study, we investigated the signalling pathways mediating tryptophan (Trp)-promoted β-defensin-2 (BD-2) expression in rat intestinal mucosa. Sprague Dawley rats were administered with l-Trp and treated with rapamycin (RAPA), 1-methyltryptophan (1-MT), or para-chlorophenyl-amine (PCPA) to inhibit mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), or tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), respectively. The mRNA and protein levels of BD-2 in the jejunal and ileal mucosa of rats increased with administration of l-Trp. Intraperitoneal injection of RAPA significantly decreased the mRNA level of BD-2 and the concentrations of p-mTORC1 and BD-2 in the jejunal and ileal mucosa of rats with administration of l-Trp (P < 0.05). Oral administration of 1-MT decreased the IDO activity and the mRNA and protein levels of BD-2, and increased the concentrations of tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-17, and IL-22 in the jejunal and ileal mucosa of rats with administration of l-Trp (P < 0.05). Intraperitoneal injection of PCPA decreased the TPH activity and increased the mRNA and protein levels of BD-2, but did not change the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-17, or IL-22 in the jejunal and ileal mucosa of rats with administration of l-Trp. The results indicate the Trp-promoted BD-2 expression in the jejunum and ileum via the mTOR pathway and its metabolites: kynurenine banding to aryl hydrocarbon receptor in rat intestine.

In this study, we investigated the signalling pathways mediating tryptophan (Trp)-promoted β-defensin-2 (BD-2) expression in rat intestinal mucosa.

Effects of spermine on liver barrier function, amino acid transporters, immune status, and apoptosis in piglets

This study investigated the effects of spermine supplementation and its extended duration on amino acid transporters, immune status, barrier function, and apoptosis in the liver.

Putrescine enhances intestinal immune function and regulates intestinal bacteria in weaning piglets

This study aimed to investigate the effect of putrescine on the immune function and intestinal bacteria of weaning piglets.

Arginine supplementation modulates pig plasma lipids, but not hepatic fatty acids, depending on dietary protein level with or without leucine

Background

In the present study, the effect of arginine and leucine supplementation, and dietary protein level, were investigated in commercial crossbred pigs to clarify their individual or combined impact on plasma metabolites, hepatic fatty acid composition and mRNA levels of lipid sensitive factors. The experiment was conducted on fifty-four entire male pigs (Duroc × Pietrain × Large White × Landrace crossbred) from 59 to 92 kg of live weight. Each pig was randomly assigned to one of six experimental treatments (n = 9). The treatments followed a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, providing two levels of arginine supplementation (0 vs. 1%) and three levels of basal diet (normal protein diet, NPD; reduced protein diet, RPD; reduced protein diet with 2% of leucine, RPDL).

Results

Significant interactions between arginine supplementation and protein level were observed across plasma lipids. While dietary arginine increased total lipids, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerols in NPD, the inverse effect was observed in RPD. Overall, dietary treatments had a minor impact on hepatic fatty acid composition. RPD increased 18:1c9 fatty acid while the combination of leucine and RPD reduced 18:0 fatty acid. Arginine supplementation increased the gene expression of FABP1, which contributes for triacylglycerols synthesis without affecting hepatic fatty acids content. RPD, with or without leucine addition, upregulated the lipogenic gene CEBPA but downregulated the fat oxidation gene LPIN1.

Conclusions

Arginine supplementation was responsible for a modulated effect on plasma lipids, which is dependent on dietary protein level. It consistently increased lipaemia in NPD, while reducing the correspondent metabolites in RPD. In contrast, arginine had no major impact, neither on hepatic fatty acids content nor on fatty acid composition. Likewise, leucine supplementation of RPD, regardless the presence of arginine, promoted no changes on total fatty acids in the liver. Ultimately, arginine, leucine and dietary protein reduction seem to be unrelated with fatty liver development.

Leucine increases mucin 2 and occludin production in LS174T cells partially via PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway

Mucin 2 and occludin play a crucial role in preserving the intestinal mucosal integrity. However, the role for leucine mediating intestinal mucin 2 and occludin expression has little been investigated. The current study was conducted to test the hypothesis that leucine treatment could increase mucin 2 and occludin levels in LS174T cells. The LS174T cells were incubated in the Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) supplementing 0, 0.5 and 5 mmol/L L-leucine for the various durations. Two hours after the leucine treatment, the inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation in LS174T cells were significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the mucin 2 and occludin levels were also significantly enhanced (P < 0.05). However, the pretreatment of 10 nmol/L rapamycin, which was an mTOR inhibitor, or 1 μmol/L wortmanin, which was an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), completely inhibited leucine-induced mTOR or Akt phosphorylation (P < 0.05), and significantly reduced leucine-stimulated mucin 2 and occludin levels (P < 0.05). These results suggest that leucine treatment promotes the mucin 2 and occludin levels in LS174T cells partially through the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway.

Different Lipopolysaccharide Branched-Chain Amino Acids Modulate Porcine Intestinal Endogenous β-Defensin Expression through the Sirt1/ERK/90RSK Pathway

Nutritional induction of endogenous antimicrobial peptide expression is considered a promising approach to inhibit the outgrowth and infection of pathogenic microbes in mammals. The present study investigated possible regulation of porcine epithelial β-defensins in response to branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) in vivo and in vitro. BCAA treatment increased relative mRNA expression of jejunal and ileal β-defensins in weaned piglets. In IPEC-J2 cells, isoleucine, leucine, and valine could stimulate β-defensin expression, possibly associated with stimulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Inhibition of Sirt1 and ERK completely blocked the activation of ERK and 90RSK protein by isoleucine, simultaneously decreasing defensin expression. BCAA stimulate expression of porcine intestinal epithelial β-defensins with isoleucine the most, potent possibly through activation of the Sirt1/ERK/90RSK signaling pathway. The β-defensins regulation of lipopolysaccharide was related with an ERK-independent pathway. BCAA modulation of endogenous defensin might be a promising approach to enhance disease resistance and intestinal health in young animals and children.

The effect of dietary tryptophan levels on oxidative stress of liver induced by diquat in weaned piglets

Oxidative stress can induce abnormal tryptophan metabolism. The present study was mainly conducted to determine the effect of dietary tryptophan levels on oxidative stress in the liver of weaned pigs challenged by diquat. A total of 36 PIC piglets weaned at 21 days of age were randomly allotted to 1 of 3 diets containing dietary tryptophan levels of 0.18, 0.30, and 0.45% for 14 d. On day 8, the piglets were injected intraperitoneally with sterile 0.9% NaCl solution or diquat (10 mg/kg body weight). During the first 7 d of trial, increasing dietary tryptophan levels enhanced average daily gain (P = 0.09) and average daily feed intake (P = 0.08), and decreased the feed efficiency (P < 0.05) of piglets. The growth performance was decreased by diquat injection (P < 0.05). Diquat injection also decreased the activities of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the plasma and liver (P < 0.05), increased plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.05) and urea nitrogen (P < 0.05) concentrations, and enhanced MDA concentration (P = 0.09) and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) activity (P = 0.07) in liver of piglets. Increasing dietary tryptophan levels could attenuate the effects of diquat injection on the MDA (P = 0.06) concentration and the activities of SOD (P = 0.09) and GPx (P = 0.05) of the liver, and plasma urea nitrogen (P = 0.06) concentration in the piglet. There was a synergistic role for increasing TDO activity in the liver between dietary tryptophan levels and diquat injection (P < 0.05). These results suggest that increasing dietary tryptophan levels could attenuate the oxidative stress of the liver in weaned piglets intraperitoneally injected with diquat via enhancing the antioxidant capacity.

Effects of dietary threonine supplementation on immune challenge induced by swine Pseudorabies live vaccine in weaned pigs

The present study was conducted to determine whether dietary threonine supplementation can improve immunity of weaned pigs challenged by swine Pseudorabies live vaccine (SPLV). Thirty crossbred piglets weaned at 21 days of age were randomly assigned to three groups receiving diets containing true ileal digestible threonine (TIDT) at 0.74, 0.89 and 1.11% for 14 days. On day 8, all pigs were injected intramuscularly with SPLV or sterile 0.9% NaCl solution. SPLV injection enhanced serum IgA, IgM, IgG, IFN-γ, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-10 concentrations (p < 0.05) and stimulated the relative mRNA abundance of Toll-like receptors (TLR3, TLR7 or TLR9) in different tissues (p < 0.05). Under no challenge, increasing dietary TIDT levels enhanced serum IgG (p < 0.05), IgM (p = 0.07) and IFN-γ (p < 0.05) concentration, tended to decrease serum IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-10 concentration, and regulated relative mRNA abundance of TLR3, TLR7 or TLR9 in different tissues (p < 0.05). However, there was a synergistic role for increasing the serum IL-10 concentration between dietary TIDT levels and SPLV injection (p < 0.05). Under SPLV challenge, increasing dietary TIDT levels attenuated the increase of the serum IFN-γ concentration, and the increase of the relative mRNA abundance of TLR3, TLR7 and TLR9 in the different tissues (p < 0.05). These results suggest that an appropriate dietary threonine supplementation could improve the immune status of weaned pigs injected with SPLV by down-regulating the expression of TLR3, TLR7 and TLR9 in tissues, and thus regulating T-helper cytokine secretion.

Induction of porcine host defense peptide gene expression by short-chain fatty acids and their analogs

Dietary modulation of the synthesis of endogenous host defense peptides (HDPs) represents a novel antimicrobial approach for disease control and prevention, particularly against antibiotic-resistant infections. However, HDP regulation by dietary compounds such as butyrate is species-dependent. To examine whether butyrate could induce HDP expression in pigs, we evaluated the expressions of a panel of porcine HDPs in IPEC-J2 intestinal epithelial cells, 3D4/31 macrophages, and primary monocytes in response to sodium butyrate treatment by real-time PCR. We revealed that butyrate is a potent inducer of multiple, but not all, HDP genes. Porcine β-defensin 2 (pBD2), pBD3, epididymis protein 2 splicing variant C (pEP2C), and protegrins were induced markedly in response to butyrate, whereas pBD1 expression remained largely unaltered in any cell type. Additionally, a comparison of the HDP-inducing efficacy among saturated free fatty acids of different aliphatic chain lengths revealed that fatty acids containing 3–8 carbons showed an obvious induction of HDP expression in IPEC-J2 cells, with butyrate being the most potent and long-chain fatty acids having only a marginal effect. We further investigated a panel of butyrate analogs for their efficacy in HDP induction, and found glyceryl tributyrate, benzyl butyrate, and 4-phenylbutyrate to be comparable with butyrate. Identification of butyrate and several analogs with a strong capacity to induce HDP gene expression in pigs provides attractive candidates for further evaluation of their potential as novel alternatives to antibiotics in augmenting innate immunity and disease resistance of pigs.