Differential splenic cytokine responses to dietary immune modulation by diverse chicken lines

Effects of propolis extract supplementation in breeder and broiler diets and it's in ovo injection on immune status, blood parameters, vaccine-antibody response and intestinal microflora of broiler chick

This study evaluated the effects of dietary propolis extract supplementation and in-ovo propolis injection on the immune status, blood parameters, vaccine-antibody response, and intestinal microflora of broiler chickens. A total of 600 Ross 308 broiler chicks were used. Breeder diets were supplemented with 400 ppm propolis extract (P) or left unsupplemented (C) during weeks 38-39. Eggs from the control group (C) were divided into four groups, with in-ovo injections of 400 ppm propolis extract (C-iP) or physiological saline (C-iS) on day 18 of incubation. Untreated eggs formed the control (C-C) or propolis-supplemented (P-C) groups. Chicks were fed either a basal diet (C) or a diet supplemented with 400 ppm propolis extract (P), forming six experimental groups: C-C, C-P, P-C, P-P, C-iP, and C-iS, with 10 replicates per group (10 chicks per replicate). Propolis supplementation significantly increased immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgG, IgM) compared to the control group. Although it positively affected certain blood parameters, no significant differences were found in post-vaccination antibody titers. The C-C group had the highest total antioxidant levels, while total oxidant levels and oxidative stress index were lowest in the P-P group. Despite positive effects on blood parameters and intestinal microflora, no significant improvements in growth performance were observed. Nevertheless, propolis extract shows potential as an immune enhancer for broiler chickens through parental feeding, standard diets, or in-ovo injection.

Effects of cage vs. net-floor mixed rearing system on goose spleen histomorphology and gene expression profiles

Due to the demands for both environmental protection and modernization of the goose industry in China, the traditional goose waterside rearing systems have been gradually transitioning to the modern intensive dryland rearing ones, such as the net-floor mixed rearing system (MRS) and cage rearing system (CRS). However, the goose immune responses to different dryland rearing systems remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate and compare the age-dependent effects of MRS and CRS on the splenic histomorphological characteristics and immune-related genes expression profiles among three economically important goose breeds, including Sichuan White goose (SW), Gang goose (GE), and Landes goose (LD). Morphological analysis revealed that the splenic weight and organ index of SW were higher under CRS than under MRS (p < 0.05). Histological observations showed that for SW and LD, the splenic corpuscle diameter and area as well as trabecular artery diameter were larger under MRS than under CRS at 30 or 43 weeks of age (p < 0.05), while the splenic red pulp area of GE was larger under CRS than under MRS at 43 weeks of age (p < 0.05). Besides, at 43 weeks of age, higher mRNA expression levels of NGF, SPI1, and VEGFA in spleens of SW were observed under MRS than under CRS (p < 0.05), while higher levels of HSPA2 and NGF in spleens of LD were observed under MRS than under CRS (p < 0.05). For GE, there were higher mRNA expression levels of MYD88 in spleens under CRS at 30 weeks of age (p < 0.05). Moreover, our correlation analysis showed that there appeared to be more pronounced positive associations between the splenic histological parameters and expression levels of several key immune-related genes under MRS than under CRS. Therefore, it is speculated that the geese reared under MRS might exhibit enhanced immune functions than those under CRS, particularly for SW and LD. Although these phenotypic differences are assumed to be associated with the age-dependent differential expression profiles of HSPA2, MYD88, NGF, SPI1, and VEGFA in the goose spleen, the underlying regulatory mechanisms await further investigations.

Spleen-based proteogenomics reveals that Escherichia coli infection induces activation of phagosome maturation pathway in chicken

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) leads to economic losses in poultry industry and is also a threat to human health. Various strategies were used for searching virulence factors, while little is known about the mechanism by which APEC survives in host or is eliminated by host. Thus, chicken colibacillosis model was constructed by intraperitoneally injecting E. coli O78 in this study, then the protein dynamic expression of spleen was characterized at different post-infection times by quantitative proteome. Comparative analysis showed that E. coli induced significant dysregulation at 72 h post infection in spleen tissue. Transcriptomic method was further used to assess the changes of dysregulated proteins at 72 h post infection at the mRNA level. Total 278 protein groups (5.7%) and 2,443 genes (24.4%) were dysregulated, respectively. The upregulated proteins and genes were consistently enriched in phagosome and lysosome pathways, indicating E. coli infection activates phagosome maturation pathway. The matured phagolysosome might kill the invasive E. coli. This study illuminated the genetic dysregulation in chicken spleen at the protein and mRNA levels after E. coli infecting and identified candidate genes for host response to APEC infection.

Effect of rearing systems on immune status, stress parameters, intestinal morphology, and mortality in conventional and local chicken breeds

The majority of poultry meat used to be sourced from intensively housed birds. However, consumer preference has since demanded poultry producers develop more sustainable farming systems. Although free-range farming is considered beneficial for animal welfare, it is not as easy to standardize as an intensive system, which makes the choice of bird genotype appear crucial for alternative systems. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of conventional and free-range rearing systems on the immune status, stress parameters, intestinal morphology and mortality in commercial hybrids (Ross 308) and local poultry strains, Bionda Piemontese (BP), Robusta Maculata (RM), BP x Sasso (BPxS), and RM x Sasso (RMxS). RNA was extracted from the jejunum and spleen to assess the mRNA expression of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, IL-1β, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, and interferon gamma (IFN-γ). The heterophil:lymphocyte (H/L) ratio and intestinal histomorphometric evaluation were also calculated. We found that compared to the conventional system, the rearing system significantly affected the jejunum expression of IL-10, iNOS, IL-2, and IL-6, where these genes were upregulated in free-range system. A significant interaction between the rearing system and the genotype was also shown. More specifically, local breeds showed a significantly higher expression (P < 0.001) of IL-6 in the free-range system compared to the same genotypes in the conventional system. Moreover, IL-6 is constantly upregulated in local breeds within the free-range system compared to Ross hybrids. We also found significantly increased H/L and mortality rates in the latter, compared to the local breeds in the free-range reared system. The jejunum morphology also demonstrated a significantly higher villus height in BP and BPxS compared to the Ross hybrids. Overall, the results of our study confirm that the intense selection for growth in broiler chickens may have reduced their ability to react to the environmental stimuli related to free-range systems, resulting in a lower adaptability to a free-range environment, thus making them inappropriate for any farming system other than the conventional one. On the contrary, local chicken breeds are able to adapt and survive in the free-range system of rearing, and represent a genetic resource especially when adaptability to free-range conditions is required.

Effects of dietary Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide on growth performance, blood parameters and immunity in weaned piglets

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary Glycyrrhiza polysaccharide (GCP) on growth performance, blood parameters and immunity in weaned piglets. A total of 240 (10.33 ± 0.62 kg body weight) 35-day-old (Duroc × Landrace × White) weaned piglets were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, with six replicate pens per treatment and 10 piglets per pen (five males and five females). The dietary treatments continued for 21 days and comprised a basal diet supplemented with 0 (control group), 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg GCP. The results showed that the inclusion of 1000 and 2000 mg/kg GCP increased the average daily gain and decreased the feed conversion rate compared with the control group (p < 0.05). The piglets treated with 500 and 1000 mg/kg GCP had a lower diarrhoeal incidence than the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, supplementation with 1000 mg/kg GCP increased the counts of white blood cells, neutrophils, red blood cells, and platelets, and elevated alkaline phosphatase, total protein, globulin, glucose, triglyceride, immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, and total antioxidant capacity levels (p < 0.05), and decreased malondialdehyde content compare with the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, relative to the control group, piglets fed 500 and 1000 mg/kg GCP had significantly lower expression of interleukin-6 mRNA in spleen (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that dietary supplementation with GCP can improve growth performance, blood parameters and immunity in weaned piglets. Our study suggests that adding 1000 mg/kg GCP to the diet had the most beneficial effect.

Pathogenesis-Related Gene Expression in Response to Trachyspermum ammi Supplementation Along With Probiotics in Chicken Salmonellosis and Insights in Drug Therapeutics

Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium (S. typhimurium) is the leading cause of foodborne illness. Since Salmonella continues to have a detrimental effect on public health, there is an ongoing need to develop more advanced methods for combating Salmonellosis in foods before they reach consumers. In addition, the quest for alternative natural products has recently intensified due to increasingly stringent regulations regarding the use of antibiotics as growth promoters and consumer demand for antibiotic-free poultry products. This study evaluated the effect of Ajwain extract (AJE) on immune response and antioxidant status in broiler chicks challenged with Salmonella typhimurium. The chicks were infected with S. typhimurium and were divided into the different groups, except for the control group (CON). The challenged chicks received different treatments with 3 × 109 colony-forming unit (CFU) AciproTM-WS probiotic (PRO), 200 mg/kg Ajwain extract (AJE), 200 mg/100 kg of enrofloxacin (ENR), and a combination of 3 × 109 CFU AciproTM-WS probiotic and 200 mg/kg Ajwain extract (COM). Five days posttreatment, the tissue samples (liver and spleen) were analyzed. The results showed that basal diet supplemented with Ajwain extract (AJE) and a combination of probiotic and Ajwain extract (COM) significantly (P &lt; 0.0.5) reduced the cytokine expression in broiler chicks challenged with S. typhimurium. Our findings suggest that AJE can clear the bacterial infection, improve antioxidant status, and suppress the inflammation response. Additionally, AJE supplementation significantly mitigated the S. typhimurium-induced increase in the interleukin-6 (IL-6) (liver and spleen), interleukin-8 (IL-8) (liver and spleen), interleukin-17A (IL-17A) (liver and spleen), and inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) (spleen and liver) levels (P &lt; 0.05). We conclude that Ajwain is an efficient feed additive with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The interaction networks developed in this study provide a novel lead that could be targeted for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Effect of blue and red monochromatic light during incubation on the early post-embryonic development of immune responses in broiler chicken

1. The light regime during incubation can influence embryonic and post-embryonic life and its effects can be mediated by rhythmic melatonin production in the embryonic pineal gland.2. This study explored whether the incubation of chick embryos under red or blue monochromatic light, which induces maximum and minimum melatonin production, respectively, can influence the development and reactivity of the immune system in chicks.3. In hatchlings, basal expression of immune genes (AvBD-1, PSEN-1, and IL-6) was evaluated in the duodenum using real-time PCR. The expression of these genes was measured weekly for three weeks after hatching, 3 h after intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. At these times, the heterophile/lymphocyte ratio (He/Ly) was evaluated on blood smears, plasma immunoglobulin Y (IgY) concentrations by ELISA and IL-6 gene expression in the spleen by real-time PCR were determined.4. During development, the He/Ly ratio and plasma IgY concentration were not significantly influenced by the light quality during incubation. Red light increased gene expression of AvBD-1 in hatchlings and IL-6 in two-week-old chickens compared to birds incubated under blue light. The expression of IL-6 after LPS stimulation increased in an age-dependent manner, both in the duodenum and the spleen, reflecting the maturation of the immune system.5. The results suggested that red light may increase the local immune response in the gut immediately after hatching, but this effect was not apparent during later development.

Differential immunological response detected in mRNA expression profiles among diverse chicken lines in response to Salmonella challenge

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis is a bacterial pathogen that contributes to poultry production losses and human foodborne illness. The bacterium elicits a broad immune response involving both the innate and adaptive components of the immune system. Coordination of the immune response is largely directed by cytokines. The objective of the current study was to characterize the expression of a select set of cytokines and regulatory immune genes in three genetically diverse chicken lines after infection with S. Enteritidis. Leghorn, Fayoumi and broiler day-old chicks were orally infected with pathogenic S. Enteritidis or culture medium. At 2 and 18 h postinfection, spleens and ceca were collected and mRNA expression levels for 7 genes (GM-CSF, IL2, IL15, TGF-β1, SOCS3, P20K, and MHC class IIβ) were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR. Genetic line had a significant effect on mRNA expression levels of IL15, TGF-β1, SOCS3 and P20K in the spleen and on P20K and MHC class IIβ in the cecum. Comparing challenged vs. unchallenged birds, the expression of SOCS3 and P20K mRNA were significantly higher in the spleen and cecum, while MHC class IIβ mRNA was significantly lower in spleen. Combining the current RNA expression results with those of previously reported studies on the same samples reveals distinct RNA expression profiles among the three genetic chicken lines and the 2 tissues. This study illustrates that these diverse genetic lines have distinctively different immune response to S. Enteritidis challenge within the spleen and the cecum.

Intra- and inter-breed variation in immune response to acute and sub-chronic Salmonella infection and commercial immune-stimulant in two-layer breeds

Salmonella is one of the most hazardous diseases in poultry farms. Markedly, the application of active immunostimulants is illustrated as potential protective agents against infection in poultry farms. Thus, this work aimed to explore inter- and intra-breed variation in response to acute and subchronic Salmonella enteritidis infection in two-layer breeds (one commercial [Hy-line strain] and another native [Fayoumi breed]). Besides exploring the possible protective effect of a commercial immune modulator (STIMULAN) on the two breeds during the acute infection. The ELISA antibody titer in sub-chronic infections and the expression analysis of some selected genes (IL-1β, LITAF, TGF-β, HSP90 and HSP70) are used as the clinical signs for acute infections to assess the possible protective role of a commercial immunomodulator (STIMULAN). Five groups were used during the acute experiment: G1-control; G2a-susceptible; G2b-resistant birds, G3-which received STIMULAN and G4-which received the infection + STIMULAN. The groups with sub-chronic infections include G1 (control), G2 (high antibody titer) and G3 (low antibody titer). The gene expressions among the susceptible birds during acute infection of both breeds are nearly similar. They only differ in the expression of HSP90 in the Fayoumi breed. However, the resistant birds vary in their gene expression profile. The effect of STIMULAN as a feed additive in non-infected birds was an up-regulation of LITAF, TGF-β, HSP90 in Fayoumi. Moreover, a powerful stimulatory role was observed when both breeds were infected. Both breeds were asymptomatic during the sub-chronic infection. Although, the increased expression of inflammatory-related genes in the Hy-line was considered as an indication of infection persistence. Fayoumi is capable of immune clearance for this infection. Thus, the Fayoumi breed is more resistant to acute Salmonella infection. HSP90 plays a vital role in its resistance. We recommend the use of STIMULAN as an immunomodulator during Salmonella infection.

Review: β-glucans as Effective Antibiotic Alternatives in Poultry

The occurrence of microbial challenges in commercial poultry farming causes significant economic losses. Antibiotics have been used to control diseases involving bacterial infection in poultry. As the incidence of antibiotic resistance turns out to be a serious problem, there is increased pressure on producers to reduce antibiotic use. With the reduced availability of antibiotics, poultry producers are looking for feed additives to stimulate the immune system of the chicken to resist microbial infection. Some β-glucans have been shown to improve gut health, to increase the flow of new immunocytes, increase macrophage function, stimulate phagocytosis, affect intestinal morphology, enhance goblet cell number and mucin-2 production, induce the increased expression of intestinal tight-junctions, and function as effective anti-inflammatory immunomodulators in poultry. As a result, β-glucans may provide a new tool for producers trying to reduce or eliminate the use of antibiotics in fowl diets. The specific activity of each β-glucan subtype still needs to be investigated. Upon knowledge, optimal β-glucan mixtures may be implemented in order to obtain optimal growth performance, exert anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity, and optimized intestinal morphology and histology responses in poultry. This review provides an extensive overview of the current use of β glucans as additives and putative use as antibiotic alternative in poultry.

Effects of Artemisia argyi flavonoids on growth performance and immune function in broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide

Objective

This research aimed to study the effects of Artemisia argyi flavonoids (AAF) supplemented in diets on the growth performance and immune function of broiler chickens challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Methods

A total of one hundred and ninety-two 1-d-old broiler chicks were assigned into 4 treatment groups, which were, respectively, fed a basal diet (control), fed a diet with 750 mg/kg AAF, fed a basal diet, and challenged with LPS, fed a diet with 750 mg/kg AAF, and challenged with LPS. Each treatment had six pens with 8 chicks per pen. On days 14, 16, 18, 20 (stress phase I) and 28, 30, 32, 34 (stress phase II), broilers were injected with LPS (500 μg/kg body weight) or an equivalent amount of saline.

Results

The results demonstrated that dietary AAF significantly improved the body weight (d 21) and alleviated the decrease of average daily gain in broilers challenged with LPS on d 21 and d 35 (p<0.05). Dietary AAF increased bursa fabricius index, and dramatically attenuated the elevation of spleen index caused by LPS on d 35 (p<0.05). Furthermore, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration decreased with AAF supplementation on d 21 (p<0.05). Diet treatment and LPS challenge exhibited a significant interaction for the concentration of IL-1β (d 21) and IL-6 (d 35) in serum (p<0.05). Additionally, AAF supplementation mitigated the increase of IL-1β, IL-6 in liver and spleen induced by LPS on d 21 and 35 (p<0.05). This study also showed that AAF supplementation significantly reduced the expression of IL-1β (d 21) and nuclear transcription factor kappa-B p65 (d 21 and 35) in liver (p<0.05), and dietary AAF and LPS treatment exhibited significant interaction for the gene expression of IL-6 (d 21), toll like receptor 4 (d 35) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (d 35) in spleen (p<0.05).

Conclusion

In conclusion, AAF could be used as a potential natural immunomodulator to improve growth performance and alleviate immune stress in broilers challenged with LPS.

Biochemical and molecular investigation of oxidative stress associated with urolithiasis induced by increased dietary calcium or protein in chickens

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of induced urolithiasis by high dietary calcium (Ca) or protein levels on biochemical analyte levels, redox status, selected inflammatory cytokines and histopathology in chickens. A total of 90 one-day-old white Hy-Line chicks were fed basal control diets containing 20% crude protein (CP) and 1% Ca until they reached 44 days of age. After that, the birds were divided into three groups (30 birds per group). All management factors (light, temperature, ventilation, stock density and diet) were identical among the three groups throughout the study except for the dietary Ca and protein percentages. Group I was fed a control diet containing 20% CP and 1% Ca, group II was fed a high-Ca diet containing 5% Ca, and group III was fed a high-protein diet containing 25% CP. Our findings clearly demonstrated that dietary imbalance (caused by high-Ca or high-CP levels) per se in chickens was physiologically harmful, as it was accompanied by post-mortem lesions; biochemical, redox status and histopathological alterations; and upregulation of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6). In particular, the birds fed the high-Ca diet clearly exhibited the most obvious alterations in most of the endpoints. In conclusion, this study constitutes the first extensive investigation of the effects of high-Ca or high-protein diets induced urolithiasis on growth performance, redox status, inflammatory cytokine levels and pathological characterization in chickens.

Effects of the Dietary Probiotic, Enterococcus faecium NCIMB11181, on the Intestinal Barrier and System Immune Status in Escherichia coli O78-Challenged Broiler Chickens

The effects of Enterococcus faecium on growth, intestinal barrier function, and immune response in Escherichia coli O78-challenged broiler chickens were investigated. Three hundred eight 1-day-old Ross male chickens were randomly assigned into three treatment groups: negative control (C), E. coli O78-infected positive (EP), and E. coli O78-infected with 200 mg/kg E. faecium dietary supplementation (EF). E. faecium significantly increased the body weight on day 10 (P < 0.05) and day 15. Furthermore, these birds had a greater average daily gain compared with the other groups during days 1–10 (P < 0.05). The death rate of the EF chickens dramatically declined. E. faecium supplementation improved the jejunal villus height and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (P < 0.05) 3 and 7 days post-infection. The mRNA expression of claudin-1 significantly increased by E. faecium (P < 0.05) 3 and 7 days post-infection, and Mucin2 was markedly enhanced (P < 0.05) 3 days post-infection. E. faecium upregulated the mRNA expression of PPAR-γ and IL-10 (P < 0.05) and downregulated that of NF-κB, TLR4, and IL-1β (P < 0.05) in the spleen 3 and 7 days post-infection. Lipopolysaccharide stimulation index was markedly enhanced in the EF group (P < 0.05) 3 days post-infection. The increased liver E. coli number caused by the E. coli O78 challenge was significantly reversed by E. faecium (P < 0.05). E. faecium improved growth and reduced the death rate by regulating the immune response and maintaining the intestinal integrity in E. coli O78-challenged broiler chickens.

Vitamin C mitigates heat damage by reducing oxidative stress, inducing HSP expression in TM4 Sertoli cells

Heat stress is a major stressor that can lead to male reproductive dysfunction. Sertoli cells play a crucial role in spermatogenesis by providing germ cells with structural and nutritional support, and contributing to blood-testis barrier formation. Vitamin C (Vc) is an antioxidant capable of neutralizing reactive oxygen species and preventing lipid peroxidation widely used because it is inexpensive and highly accessible. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of Vc on TM4 cells following heat stress. Pretreatment with Vc could effectively inhibit apoptosis (p < 0.01), lipid peroxidation, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity. However, a significant increase in the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and LDH activity (p < 0.01) was observed in TM4 cells without Vc-pretreatment, in conjunction with vacuole degeneration and karyopyknosis. In addition, both the messenger RNA and protein levels of CryAB, Hsp27, Hsp70, and Hsp110 substantially increased in the 3 and 12 hr recovery groups (p < 0.01). Vc also prevented microtubule aggregation following heat stress. These results suggest that pretreatment with Vc-protected TM4 cells against heat stress by reducing the level of oxidative stress and inducing heat shock protein expression.

Immunomodulatory effects of heat stress and lipopolysaccharide on the bursal transcriptome in two distinct chicken lines

Background

Exposure to heat stress suppresses poultry immune responses, which can increase susceptibility to infectious diseases and, thereby, intensify the negative effects of heat on poultry welfare and performance. Identifying genes and pathways that are affected by high temperatures, especially heat-induced changes in immune responses, could provide targets to improve disease resistance in chickens. This study utilized RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to investigate transcriptome responses in the bursa of Fabricius, a primary immune tissue, after exposure to acute heat stress and/or subcutaneous immune stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in a 2 × 2 factorial design: Thermoneutral + Saline, Heat + Saline, Thermoneutral + LPS and Heat + LPS. All treatments were investigated in two chicken lines: a relatively heat- and disease-resistant Fayoumi line and a more susceptible broiler line.

Results

Differential expression analysis determined that Heat + Saline had limited impact on gene expression (N = 1 or 63 genes) in broiler or Fayoumi bursa. However, Thermoneutral + LPS and Heat + LPS generated many expression changes in Fayoumi bursa (N = 368 and 804 genes). Thermoneutral + LPS was predicted to increase immune-related cell signaling and cell migration, while Heat + LPS would activate mortality-related functions and decrease expression in WNT signaling pathways. Further inter-treatment comparisons in the Fayoumi line revealed that heat stress prevented many of the expression changes caused by LPS. Although fewer significant expression changes were observed in the broiler bursa after exposure to Thermoneutral + LPS (N = 59 genes) or to Heat + LPS (N = 146 genes), both treatments were predicted to increase cell migration. Direct comparison between lines (broiler to Fayoumi) confirmed that each line had distinct responses to treatment.

Conclusions

Transcriptome analysis identified genes and pathways involved in bursal responses to heat stress and LPS and elucidated that these effects were greatest in the combined treatment. The interaction between heat and LPS was line dependent, with suppressive expression changes primarily in the Fayoumi line. Potential target genes, especially those involved in cell migration and immune signaling, can inform future research on heat stress in poultry and could prove useful for improving disease resistance.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-018-5033-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Vitamin C and sodium bicarbonate enhance the antioxidant ability of H9C2 cells and induce HSPs to relieve heat stress

Heat stress is exacerbated by global warming and affects human and animal health, leading to heart damage caused by imbalances in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant system, acid-base chemistry, electrolytes and respiratory alkalosis. Vitamin C scavenges excess ROS, and sodium bicarbonate maintains acid-base and electrolyte balance, and alleviates respiratory alkalosis. Herein, we explored the ability of vitamin C alone and in combination with equimolar sodium bicarbonate (Vitamin C-Na) to stimulate endogenous antioxidants and heat shock proteins (HSPs) to relieve heat stress in H9C2 cells. Control, vitamin C (20 μg/ml vitamin C for 16 h) and vitamin C-Na (20 μg/ml vitamin C-Na for 16 h) groups were heat-stressed for 1, 3 or 5 h. Granular and vacuolar degeneration, karyopyknosis and damage to nuclei and mitochondria were clearly reduced in treatment groups, as were apoptosis, lactate dehydrogenase activity and ROS and malondialdehyde levels, while superoxide dismutase activity was increased. Additionally, CRYAB, Hsp27, Hsp60 and Hsp70 mRNA levels were upregulated at 3 h (p < 0.01), and protein levels were increased for CRYAB at 0 h (p < 0.05) and 1 h (p < 0.01), and for Hsp70 at 3 and 5 h (p < 0.01). Thus, pre-treatment with vitamin C or vitamin C-Na might protect H9C2 cells against heat damage by enhancing the antioxidant ability and upregulating CRYAB and Hsp70.

Thymus transcriptome reveals novel pathways in response to avian pathogenic Escherichia coli infection

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) can cause significant morbidity in chickens. The thymus provides the essential environment for T cell development; however, the thymus transcriptome has not been examined for gene expression in response to APEC infection. An improved understanding of the host genomic response to APEC infection could inform future breeding programs for disease resistance and APEC control. We therefore analyzed the transcriptome of the thymus of birds challenged with APEC, contrasting susceptible and resistant phenotypes. Thousands of genes were differentially expressed in birds of the 5-day post infection (dpi) challenged-susceptible group vs. 5 dpi non-challenged, in 5 dpi challenged-susceptible vs. 5 dpi challenged-resistant birds, as well as in 5 dpi vs. one dpi challenged-susceptible birds. The Toll-like receptor signaling pathway was the major innate immune response for birds to respond to APEC infection. Moreover, lysosome and cell adhesion molecules pathways were common mechanisms for chicken response to APEC infection. The T-cell receptor signaling pathway, cell cycle, and p53 signaling pathways were significantly activated in resistant birds to resist APEC infection. These results provide a comprehensive assessment of global gene networks and biological functionalities of differentially expressed genes in the thymus under APEC infection. These findings provide novel insights into key molecular genetic mechanisms that differentiate host resistance from susceptibility in this primary lymphoid tissue, the thymus.

The immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D in chickens is dose-dependent and influenced by calcium and phosphorus levels

Vitamin D requirement is estimated to be higher than recommended values for the first two weeks of a broiler chicken's life, and is heavily dependent on the concentrations of Ca and P in the diet. There are data indicating the beneficial effect of higher vitamin D levels on performance and overall health of the chickens. However, data on the role of higher vitamin D levels on the innate immune response of chickens are limited. Therefore, in the current study, we examined the effect of higher doses of vitamin D supplementation on the innate immune response in broiler chickens receiving optimal or calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) deficient diets. Three hundred Ross-308 male broiler chicks were randomly allocated into 60 cages with 5 birds per cage in a 3 × 2 factorial design with three levels of vitamin D and two levels of Ca/P with each experimental diet fed to 10 cages (10 replicates). Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (n = 5) was used to assess Toll-like receptor (TLR2b and 4), cytokine/chemokine (IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-4, IL-13, IL-18, CxCLi2) and cathelicidin (CATH1, CATHB1, CATH3) transcription levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), spleen, and bursa of Fabricius. Vitamin D supplementation of the Ca and P deficient diet considerably augmented transcription of TLR2b, TLR4, CATH1, and CATHB1 and predominantly Th2 cytokines in spleen. Supplementation of the control diet with vitamin D downregulated TLR4 transcription, and dose-dependently increased CATH1, CATHB1, Th1, and Th2 cytokine transcription (Th2>Th1). All diets downregulated CATH3 transcription. In conclusion, vitamin D or its derivative 25-OH-D₃ both have a robust immunomodulatory property with a more favorable Th2 response, while at the same time enhancing observed Th2 cytokine responses under both optimal and lower Ca and P inclusion levels in the diets of broiler chickens.

Effect of yeast-derived products on systemic innate immune response of broiler chickens following a lipopolysaccharide challenge

This study evaluated the effect of yeast-derived products on growth performance, serum antibody levels, and mRNA gene expression of pattern-recognition receptors, and cytokines in broiler chickens. Two hundred and sixteen one-day-old male broiler chickens (Ross-308) were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments with six replicates (cage) of 6 birds per cage. Dietary treatments consisted of a Control diet without antibiotics (C), and diets containing 11 mg/kg of "virginiamycin", 0.25% of yeast cell wall (YCW), 0.2% of a commercial product "Maxi-Gen Plus" containing processed yeast and nucleotides, 0.05% of nucleotides, or a diet containing 8% of distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS). On d 21 post-hatch blood samples were collected from 6 birds per treatment and serum sample were analyzed for antibody levels. After blood sampling, birds were injected intraperitoneally with 3 mg/kg of BW of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The unchallenged group was fed the Control diet and injected with saline solution. Spleen samples were collected to measure the gene expression of toll-like receptors (TLR)2b, TLR4, and TLR21, macrophage mannose receptor (MMR), and cytokines including interleukin (IL)-12, IL-10, IL-4, IL-6, IL-18, and interferon (IFN)-γ. No significant difference in body weight gain, feed intake, and FCR were observed among treatments. Regarding humoral immunity, the diet supplemented with YCW increased serum immunoglobulin (Ig)A level compared with the antibiotic group; however, serum concentrations of IgG and IgM were not affected by dietary treatments. Relative gene expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was not affected by dietary treatments, whereas the expression of TLR21 and MRR was upregulated in diets containing YCW and DDGS. The diet supplemented with YCW increased the expression of all cytokines, and expression of IFN-γ was upregulated in the DDGS group. However, no significant difference was observed for cytokine gene expression in the antibiotic and nucleotide diets. In conclusion, supplementation of diet with YCW stimulated the systemic innate immune responses of broiler chickens following challenge with LPS.

Combined analysis of primary lymphoid tissues' transcriptomic response to extra-intestinal Escherichia coli (ExPEC) infection

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), an extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), constitutes an animal health and a potential zoonotic risk. Most studies focus on the response of a single tissue to APEC infection. Understanding interactions among lymphoid tissues is of importance in controlling APEC infection. Therefore, we studied bone marrow, bursa, and thymus transcriptomes because of these tissues' crucial roles in development of pre-lymphocytes, B cells, and T cells, respectively. Using lesion scores of liver, pericardium, and air sacs, infected birds were classified as either resistant or susceptible. Little difference in gene expression was detected in resistant birds in bone marrow versus bursa or thymus, while there were large differences between tissues in susceptible birds. Phagosome, lysosome and cytokine interactions were strongly enhanced in thymus versus bone marrow in susceptible birds, and T cell receptor (TCR), cell cycle, and p53 signaling were significantly decreased. B cell receptor (BCR) was also significantly suppressed in bursa versus bone marrow in susceptible birds. This research provides novel insights into the complex developmental changes in gene expression occurring across the primary lymphoid organs and, therefore, serves as a foundation to understanding the cellular and molecular basis of host resistance to APEC infection.

Yeast β-d-glucans induced antimicrobial peptide expressions against Salmonella infection in broiler chickens

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of yeast β-d-glucans (YG) on gene expression of endogenous β-defensins (AvBDs), cathelicidins (Cath) and liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 (LEAP-2) in broilers challenged with Salmonella enteritidis (SE). 240 day-old Cobb male broilers were randomly assigned to 2×2 factorial arrangements of treatments with two levels of dietary YG (0 or 200mg/kg in diet) and two levels of SE challenge (0 or 1×10(9) SE at 7-9 days of age). The results showed SE infection reduced growth performance,and increased salmonella cecal colonization and internal organs invasion, increased concentration of intestinal specific IgA and serum specific IgG antibody, as compared to uninfected birds. SE challenge differentially regulated AvBDs, Caths and LEAP-2 gene expression in the jejunum and spleen of broiler chickens during the infection period. However, YG supplementation inhibited the growth depression by SE challenge, and further increased level of serum specific IgG and intestinal specific IgA antibody. Higher level of salmonella colonization and internal organs invasion in the SE-infected birds were reduced by YG. SE-induced differentially expression patterns of AMPs genes was inhibited or changed by YG. Results indicated YG enhance chicken's resistance to salmonella infection.

Ascorbic Acid Differentially Affects Stress Response and Resistance to Colibacillosis in Turkeys from Genetic Lines Differing in Growth Rate

Genetic selection for fast growth can affect the ability of male turkeys to cope with stressors, resulting in decreased immunity to opportunistic bacterial infection. The purpose of the current study was to compare the effects of ascorbic acid (AA) on the stress response and resistance to Escherichia coli challenge of birds selected for increased 16-wk body weight (BW; F-line) with their random-bred parent line (RBC2). Male turkeys were raised in duplicate floor pens in a two line×two AA treatment×two stress challenge (SC) design. At 5 wk of age, AA (1200 ppm) was provided in drinking water for a 24-hr period, during which all birds were weighed. After AA treatment, the SC group was subjected to a transport stress protocol. Six hours after the start of transport, SC birds were also inoculated in the thoracic air sac with 1×10(4) colony-forming units of E. coli. The following morning four birds from each pen were bled, and all birds were weighed and necropsied 2 days later. BW and gain after SC were decreased in the F-line but not the RBC2 line, and there were no AA effects on BW. The weight of the bursa of Fabricius relative to BW was higher in the RBC2 line than in the F-line, was decreased by SC, and was not affected by AA. The heterophil∶lymphocyte ratio was higher in the SC F-line as compared to the SC RBC2 and was decreased by AA only in the SC F-line. Corticosterone (C) levels were increased by SC only in the F-line, and AA decreased C levels only in the RBC2 line. Airsacculitis scores were increased in the F-line SC birds. The challenge strain of E. coli was only detected in the air sac and liver of the AA-treated F-line SC birds and in the liver of the no-AA F-line birds. These results suggest that SC at 5 wk of age had a more deleterious effect on the fast-growing F-line than on its parent line and that AA may have increased susceptibility to colibacillosis in the SC F-line birds.

Splenic gene expression profiling in White Leghorn layer inoculated with the Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) is a foodborne pathogen that can threaten human health through contaminated poultry products. Live poultry, chicken eggs and meat are primary sources of human salmonellosis. To understand the genetic resistance of egg-type chickens in response to SE inoculation, global gene expression in the spleen of 20-week-old White Leghorn was measured using the Agilent 4 × 44 K chicken microarray at 7 and 14 days following SE inoculation (dpi). Results showed that there were 1363 genes significantly differentially expressed between inoculated and non-inoculated groups at 7 dpi (I7/N7), of which 682 were up-regulated and 681 were down-regulated genes. By contrast, 688 differentially expressed genes were observed at 14 dpi (I14/N14), of which 371 were up-regulated genes and 317 were down-regulated genes. There were 33 and 28 immune-related genes significantly differentially expressed in the comparisons of I7/N7 and I14/N14 respectively. Functional annotation revealed that several Gene Ontology (GO) terms related to immunity were significantly enriched between the inoculated and non-inoculated groups at 14 dpi but not at 7 dpi, despite a similar number of immune-related genes identified between I7/N7 and I14/N14. The immune response to SE inoculation changes with different time points following SE inoculation. The complicated interaction between the immune system and metabolism contributes to the immune responses to SE inoculation of egg-type chickens at 14 dpi at the onset of lay. GC, TNFSF8, CD86, CD274, BLB1 and BLB2 play important roles in response to SE inoculation. The results from this study will deepen the current understanding of the genetic response of the egg-type chicken to SE inoculation at the onset of egg laying.

RNA-seq Profiles of Immune Related Genes in the Spleen of Necrotic Enteritis-afflicted Chicken Lines

The study aimed to compare the necrotic enteritis (NE)-induced transcriptome differences between the spleens of Marek’s disease resistant chicken line 6.3 and susceptible line 7.2 co-infected with Eimeria maxima/Clostridium perfringens using RNA-Seq. Total RNA from the spleens of two chicken lines were used to make libraries, generating 42,736,296 and 42,617,720 usable reads, which were assembled into groups of 29,897 and 29,833 mRNA genes, respectively. The transcriptome changes were investigated using the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) package, which indicated 3,255, 2,468 and 2,234 DEGs of line 6.3, line 7.2, and comparison between two lines, respectively (fold change ≥2, p<0.01). The transcription levels of 14 genes identified were further examined using qRT-PCR. The results of qRT-PCR were consistent with the RNA-seq data. All of the DEGs were analysed using gene ontology terms, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database and the DEGs in each term were found to be more highly expressed in line 6.3 than in line 7.2. RNA-seq analysis indicated 139 immune related genes, 44 CD molecular genes and 150 cytokines genes which were differentially expressed among chicken lines 6.3 and 7.2 (fold change ≥2, p<0.01). Novel mRNA analysis indicated 15,518 novel genes, for which the expression was shown to be higher in line 6.3 than in line 7.2 including some immune-related targets. These findings will help to understand host-pathogen interaction in the spleen and elucidate the mechanism of host genetic control of NE, and provide basis for future studies that can lead to the development of marker-based selection of highly disease-resistant chickens.

Effects of Vitamin C or E on the Pro-inflammatory Cytokines, Heat Shock Protein 70 and Antioxidant Status in Broiler Chicks under Summer Conditions

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary antioxidants on pro-inflammatory cytokines, heat shock protein (HSP) and antioxidant status in broiler chicks under summer conditions. A total of 162, 3-d-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to a basal diet (CON) and the basal diet supplemented with vitamin C (200 mg/kg diet, VCD) or vitamin E (100 mg/kg, VED) until 35 day of age. All birds were exposed to summer diurnal heat stress at average daily fluctuations of temperature between 32°C to 34°C at day to 27°C to 29°C at night for the entire feeding periods. There was no significant difference in body weight, feed to gain ratio and the relative organ weight except the thymus in response to dietary vitamin C or E supplementation. However, the mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, interferon (IFN)-γ, Toll like receptor (TLR)-4 and HSP70 in the liver of birds fed diet containing vitamin C significantly (p<0.05) decreased compared with those in birds fed basal diet. Dietary vitamin E also showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the mRNA expression of IL-6 and HSP70 compared with a basal diet. Total antioxidant status (TAS) in serum of birds fed vitamin C supplemented diet was significantly (p<0.05) higher with than that in birds a basal diet. Lipid peroxidation in serum and liver resulted in a significant (p<0.05) decrease in response to dietary vitamin C or E supplementation. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with antioxidant vitamins, especially vitamin C resulted in a significant decrease in the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and HSP70, and higher antioxidant parameters than that of birds on the basal diet under summer conditions.

RNA-seq analysis revealed novel genes and signaling pathway associated with disease resistance to avian influenza virus infection in chickens

Avian influenza virus (AIV) is a type A virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae. Avian influenza virus infection can cause significant economic losses to the poultry industry, and raises a great public health threat due to potential host jump from animals to humans. To develop more effective intervention strategies to prevent and control AIV infection in poultry, it is essential to elucidate molecular mechanisms of host response to AIV infection in chickens. The objective of this study was to identify genes and signal pathways associated with resistance to AIV infection in 2 genetically distinct highly inbred chicken lines (Fayoumi, relatively resistant to AIV infection, and Leghorn, susceptible to AIV infection). Three-week-old chickens were inoculated with 10(7) EID50 of low pathogenic H5N3 AIV, and lungs and trachea were harvested 4 d postinoculation. Four cDNA libraries (1 library each for infected and noninfected Leghorn, and infected and noninfected Fayoumi) were prepared from the lung samples and sequenced by Illumina Genome Analyzer II, which yielded a total of 116 million, 75-bp single-end reads. Gene expression levels of all annotated chicken genes were analyzed using CLC Genomics Workbench. DESeq was used to identify differentially expressed transcripts between infected and noninfected birds and between genetic lines (false discovery rate < 0.05 and fold-change > 2). Of the expressed transcripts in a total of 17,108 annotated chicken genes in Ensembl database, 82.44 and 81.40% were identified in Leghorn and Fayoumi birds, respectively. The bioinformatics analysis suggests that the hemoglobin family genes, the functional involvements for oxygen transportation and circulation, and cell adhesion molecule signaling pathway play significant roles in disease resistance to AIV infection in chickens. Further investigation of the roles of these candidate genes and signaling pathways in the regulation of host-AIV interaction can lead new directions for the development of antiviral drugs or vaccines in poultry.

Molecular and metabolic profiles suggest that increased lipid catabolism in adipose tissue contributes to leanness in domestic chickens

Domestic broiler chickens rapidly accumulate fat and are naturally hyperglycemic and insulin resistant, making them an attractive model for studies of human obesity. We previously demonstrated that short-term (5 h) fasting rapidly upregulates pathways of fatty acid oxidation in broiler chickens and proposed that activation of these pathways may promote leanness. The objective of the current study was to characterize adipose tissue from relatively lean and fatty lines of chickens and determine if heritable leanness in chickens is associated with activation of some of the same pathways induced by fasting. We compared adipose gene expression and metabolite profiles in white adipose tissue of lean Leghorn and Fayoumi breeds to those of fattier commercial broiler chickens. Both lipolysis and expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation were upregulated in lean chickens compared with broilers. Although there were strong similarities between the lean lines compared with broilers, distinct expression signatures were also found between Fayoumi and Leghorn, including differences in adipogenic genes. Similarities between genetically lean and fasted chickens suggest that fatty acid oxidation in white adipose tissue is adaptively coupled to lipolysis and plays a role in heritable differences in fatness. Unique signatures of leanness in Fayoumi and Leghorn lines highlight distinct pathways that may provide insight into the basis for leanness in humans. Collectively, our results provide a number of future directions through which to fully exploit chickens as unique models for the study of human obesity and adipose metabolism.

Immunomodulation in young laying hens by dietary folic acid and acute immune responses after challenge with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide

We investigated the effects of dietary folic acid (FA) supplementation on immunological parameters in young laying hens under acute conditions of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Twenty-four Shaver White laying hens at 24 wk were fed 2 diets in a completely randomized design. The diets were wheat-soybean based, with either 0 or 4 mg of supplemental FA per kilogram of diet. At 32 wk of age, 6 hens from each dietary treatment were injected intravenously with 8 mg/kg of BW of either LPS or saline. Four hours after injection, blood was collected and the hens were euthanized to obtain spleen and cecal tonsils. Heterophil:lymphocyte ratio, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ T cells, and CD4+:CD8+ cells in the blood and spleen were not affected by dietary FA. Relative to saline-injected hens, LPS-injected hens had fewer (P < 0.05) CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+:CD8+ cells in the blood, and no difference was found in the spleen. Total protein, albumin, and globulin were found to be higher (P < 0.05) in FA-supplemented hens compared with the control. However, total protein, albumin, and globulins decreased (P < 0.05) in the LPS-injected hens compared with the saline control. Expression of interleukin (IL)-1β in cecal tonsils decreased (P < 0.05) in FA-supplemented hens, but no dietary influence was found on the expression of other genes in both the spleen and cecal tonsils. Lipopolysaccharide upregulated (P < 0.05) expression of IL-10 and interferon (IFN)-γ in the spleen, and IL-1β, IL-10, and IFN-γ in the cecal tonsils, whereas the expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 and IL-8 was not influenced by LPS in the spleen and cecal tonsils. There was a diet × challenge interaction for total IgG, and cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 in the spleen as well as IL-18 in the cecal tonsils. In conclusion, there were few interactions of dietary FA and LPS; however, FA increased biochemical constituents, enhanced generation of total IgG, as well as exhibiting pleoitropic effects in inflammatory responses.

Effects of fructooligosaccharide-inulin on Salmonella-killing and inflammatory gene expression in chicken macrophages

Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) is one of the leading causes of food-borne salmonellosis, and macrophages play an essential role in eliminating this pathogen. Among the interventions to improve Salmonella clearance in chickens are the use of prebiotics and direct fed microbials (DFM) in animal feed as they have immunomodulatory effects. Therefore, we tested the influence of a prebiotic fructooligosaccharide (FOS)-inulin on the ability of the chicken macrophage HD11 cell line to phagocytose and kill SE, and express selected inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in an in vitro model. There were significantly fewer viable intracellular SE in HD11 cells treated with FOS-inulin than the untreated cells. However, SE phagocytosis, nitric oxide expression or production were not influenced by the prebiotic treatment. Among the inflammatory markers tested, IL-1β expression was significantly lower in HD11 cells treated with FOS-inulin. These results suggest that FOS-inulin has the ability to modulate the innate immune system as shown by the enhanced killing of SE and decreased inflammasome activation.

Spleen transcriptome response to infection with avian pathogenic Escherichia coli in broiler chickens

Background

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is detrimental to poultry health and its zoonotic potential is a food safety concern. Regulation of antimicrobials in food-production animals has put greater focus on enhancing host resistance to bacterial infections through genetics. To better define effective mechanism of host resistance, global gene expression in the spleen of chickens, harvested at two times post-infection (PI) with APEC, was measured using microarray technology, in a design that will enable investigation of effects of vaccination, challenge, and pathology level.

Results

There were 1,101 genes significantly differentially expressed between severely infected and non-infected groups on day 1 PI and 1,723 on day 5 PI. Very little difference was seen between mildly infected and non-infected groups on either time point. Between birds exhibiting mild and severe pathology, there were 2 significantly differentially expressed genes on day 1 PI and 799 on day 5 PI. Groups with greater pathology had more genes with increased expression than decreased expression levels. Several predominate immune pathways, Toll-like receptor, Jak-STAT, and cytokine signaling, were represented between challenged and non-challenged groups. Vaccination had, surprisingly, no detectible effect on gene expression, although it significantly protected the birds from observable gross lesions. Functional characterization of significantly expressed genes revealed unique gene ontology classifications during each time point, with many unique to a particular treatment or class contrast.

Conclusions

More severe pathology caused by APEC infection was associated with a high level of gene expression differences and increase in gene expression levels. Many of the significantly differentially expressed genes were unique to a particular treatment, pathology level or time point. The present study not only investigates the transcriptomic regulations of APEC infection, but also the degree of pathology associated with that infection. This study will allow for greater discovery into host mechanisms for disease resistance, providing targets for marker assisted selection and advanced drug development.

Effects of yeast cell walls on performance and immune responses of cyclosporine A-treated, immunosuppressed broiler chickens

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cell walls (YCW) from the yeast extract industry on performance and immune function of cyclosporine A (CSA)-treated, immunosuppressed broiler chickens. A total of 240 day-old male broilers were allocated randomly into four treatments: (1) non-challenged control; (2) non-challenged control+0·3 % YCW; (3) CSA-challenged group; (4) CSA-challenged+0·3 % YCW. On days 1–4 and 22–25 of age, broilers were subcutaneously injected with CSA or sterile saline. The results showed that supplementation of YCW significantly improved daily weight gain (DWG) during the starter (days 1–21,P < 0·01), finisher (days 22–42,P < 0·01) and overall (days 1–42,P < 0·05) periods compared with the control birds, but had no effect on feed conversion ratio (FCR,P>0·05). Compared with the CSA-treated birds, YCW alleviated the decrease of DWG (P < 0·01) and increase of FCR (P < 0·05) caused by CSA challenge at different periods and cumulatively. On days 21 and 42, YCW mitigated the CSA-induced decrease of peripheral blood lymphocyte blastogenic response (P < 0·01). In addition, YCW improved the relative weights of the bursa of Fabricius (P < 0·01) and thymus (P < 0·01) and up-regulated the splenic expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (P < 0·01) and IL-6 (P < 0·01) on day 42 compared with the CSA-treated birds. These results indicate that YCW supplementation has beneficial effects in attenuating the immunosuppressive effects of CSA challenge, therefore improving growth performance of broiler chickens.

Genetic control of chicken heterophil function in advanced intercross lines: associations with novel and with known Salmonella resistance loci and a likely mechanism for cell death in extracellular trap production

Heterophils, the avian polymorphonuclear leukocyte and the counterpart of mammalian neutrophils, generate the primary innate response to pathogens in chickens. Heterophil performance against pathogens is associated with host disease resistance, and heterophil gene expression and function are under genetic control. To characterize the genomic basis of heterophil function, heterophils from F₁₃ advanced intercross chicken lines (broiler × Leghorn and broiler × Fayoumi) were assayed for phagocytosis and killing of Salmonella enteritidis, oxidative burst, and extracellular trap production. A whole-genome association analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms at 57,636 loci identified genomic locations controlling these functional phenotypes. Genomic analysis revealed a significant association of extracellular trap production with the SAL1 locus and the SLC11A1 gene, which have both been previously associated with resistance to S. enteritidis. Fine mapping supports SIVA1 as a candidate gene controlling SAL1-mediated resistance and indicates that the proposed cell-death mechanism associated with extracellular trap production, ETosis, likely functions through the CD27/Siva-1-mediated apoptotic pathway. The SLC11A1 gene was also associated with phagocytosis of S. enteritidis, suggesting that the Slc11a1 protein may play an additional role in immune response beyond depleting metal ions to inhibit intracellular bacterial growth. A region of chromosome 6 with no characterized genes was also associated with extracellular trap production. Further characterization of these novel genes in chickens and other species is needed to understand their role in polymorphonuclear leukocyte function and host resistance to disease.