Necrotic enteritis challenge regulates peroxisome proliferator-1 activated receptors signaling and β-oxidation pathways in broiler chickens

Expression of genes related to ileal barrier function in heritage and modern broiler chickens

1. An experiment was conducted to determine differences in the expression of genes encoding intestinal barrier proteins between fast, medium and slow-growing chickens. Chicken breeds Athens Canadian Random Bred (ACRB), Longenecker's Heritage (LHR), RedBro, Hubbard H1 (HH1), Cobb500 and Ross708 were raised from hatch for 35 d.2. Ileal samples were collected at embryonic day E19 (-2 days post-hatch), hatch and d 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 post-hatch to assess the expression of genes encoding tight junction proteins (claudins, CLDN; occludin, OCLN; zonula occludens, ZO; and junctional adhesion molecules, JAM), mucin (Muc2), immunoglobulin A (IgA), polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) and fatty acid binding protein (FABP2).3. Expression of CLDN-1 was increased (p < 0.0001) in LHR compared to Cobb500 while CLDN-5 was increased (p < 0.0001) in ACRB, HH1, RedBro and Ross708 compared to LHR as well as in ACRB compared to Cob500. Occludin was upregulated (p = 0.01) in ACRB and LHR compared to Ross708 at d 14 post-hatch. Expression of ZO-1 was upregulated (p = 0.001) in LHR compared to Ross708, HH1 and Cobb500. Tight junction genes, except CLDN-4, JAM-2 and JAM-3 were downregulated (p < 0.0001) at hatch and d 7 post-hatch. Expression of Muc2 was increased (p < 0.0001) in LHR compared to RedBro and from -2 d to d 7 post-hatch.4. Immunoglobulin A was increased (p = 0.001) in LHR compared to Ross708 and HH1 at -2 d post-hatch and in LHR compared to ACRB, Cobb500 and Ross708 at hatch. In addition, IgA expression was increased in all breeds at d 14 post-hatch while pIgR was upregulated (p = 0.02) in Cobb500 and Ross708 compared to ACRB, HH1, LHR and RedBro at hatch.5. The gene expression patterns suggest that selection for growth may have not induced changes in junctional complexes and immune defence genes. However, the results confirmed that the expression of these genes is age dependent.

Buffered formic acid and a monoglyceride blend improve performance and modulate gut bacteria and immunity gene expression in broilers under necrotic enteritis challenge

Due to the removal of antibiotics from animal feed, alternatives have been sought to control necrotic enteritis (NE) in broilers. The current study investigated the effects of buffered formic acid (Amasil NA) and monoglycerides of short- and medium-chain fatty acids (Balangut LS P) on the performance and gut health of broilers challenged with NE. A total of 816 as-hatched 1-d-old chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly assigned to 6 treatments with 8 replicates. Treatments were: T1) nonchallenged control; T2) NE challenged control; T3) Amasil NA (challenge plus Amasil NA, 0.3% throughout all phases); T4) Balangut LS P (challenge plus Balangut LS P, 0.5%, 0.3%, and 0.2% in the starter, grower and finisher phases, respectively; T5) Combined (challenge plus combination of T3 and T4); T6) Antibiotic (challenge plus Zn bacitracin, 0.05 % throughout all phases). Birds were orally gavaged with live Eimeria vaccine species (d 9) and with Clostridium perfringens (d 14 and 15). On d 16, birds were sampled to evaluate gut permeability, microbiota, and mRNA abundance in the jejunum. The data were analyzed in JMP software using one-way ANOVA with Tukey's test to separate means, and Kruskal-Wallis test was used for non-normally-distributed parameters. Results showed that Balangut LS P decreased (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio compared to nonchallenged ones at the end of the study. Balangut LS P reduced (P < 0.05) the level of cecal Bacteriods compared to nonchallenged group, whereas Amasil NA shifted the levels of ileal Bifidobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Lactobacillus towards nonchallenged control (P > 0.05). NE challenge upregulated (P < 0.001) the expression of IL-21R, zeta chain of T cell receptor (ZAP70), and dual specificity phosphatase 4 (DUSP4) compared to nonchallenged birds, whereas Balangut LS P showed an intermediate (P > 0.05) expression pattern of these genes towards nonchallenged and antibiotic groups. In conclusion, combination of Balangut LS P and Amasil NA has the potential to be used as an additive to improve the performance and gut health of broiler chickens, especially under challenging conditions such as NE infections.

Comprehensive analysis of gut microbiome and host transcriptome in chickens after Eimeria tenella infection

Background

Coccidiosis is an intestinal parasitic disease caused by Eimeria protozoa, which endangers the health and growth of animals, and causes huge economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide every year. Studies have shown that poultry gut microbiota plays an important role in preventing the colonization of pathogens and maintaining the health of the host. Coccidia infection also affects host gene expression. However, the underlying potential relationship between gut microbiome and host transcriptome during E. tenella infection in chickens remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, metagenomic and transcriptome sequencing were applied to identify microbiota and genes in cecal contents and cecal tissues of infected (JS) and control (JC) chickens on day 4.5 postinfection (pi), respectively.

Results

First, microbial sequencing results of cecal contents showed that the abundance of Lactobacillus, Roseburia sp. and Faecalibacterium sp decreased significantly after E. tenella infection (P < 0.05), while the abundance of Alistipes and Prevotella pectinovora increased significantly (P < 0.05). Second, transcriptome sequencing results showed that a total of 434 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified, including 196 up-regulated and 238 down-regulated genes. These differentially expressed genes related to inflammation and immunity, such as GAMA, FABP1, F2RL1 and RSAD2, may play an important role in the process of host resistance to coccidia infection. Functional studies showed that the enriched pathways of differentially expressed genes included the TGF-beta signaling pathway and the ErbB signaling pathways. Finally, the integrated analysis of gut microbiome and host transcriptome suggested that Prevotella pectinovora associated with FABP1, Butyricicoccus porcorum and Colidextribacter sp. associated with RSAD2 were involved in the immune response upon E. tenella infection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides valuable information on the microbiota and key immune genes after chicken E. tenella infection, with the aim of providing reference for the impact of coccidia infection on cecal microbiome and host.

CD36-Fatty Acid-Mediated Metastasis via the Bidirectional Interactions of Cancer Cells and Macrophages

Tumour heterogeneity refers to the complexity of cell subpopulations coexisting within the tumour microenvironment (TME), such as proliferating tumour cells, tumour stromal cells and infiltrating immune cells. The bidirectional interactions between cancer and the surrounding microenvironment mark the tumour survival and promotion functions, which allow the cancer cells to become invasive and initiate the metastatic cascade. Importantly, these interactions have been closely associated with metabolic reprogramming, which can modulate the differentiation and functions of immune cells and thus initiate the antitumour response. The purpose of this report is to review the CD36 receptor, a prominent cell receptor in metabolic activity specifically in fatty acid (FA) uptake, for the metabolic symbiosis of cancer-macrophage. In this review, we provide an update on metabolic communication between tumour cells and macrophages, as well as how the immunometabolism indirectly orchestrates the tumour metastasis.

Cecum microbiome and metabolism characteristics of Silky Fowl and White Leghorn chicken in late laying stages

Cecal microflora plays a key role in the production performance and immune function of chickens. White Leghorn (WL) is a well-known commercial layer line chicken with high egg production rate. In contrast, Silky Fowl (SF), a Chinese native chicken variety, has a low egg production rate, but good immune performance. This study analyzed the composition of cecal microbiota, metabolism, and gene expression in intestinal tissue of these varieties and the correlations among them. Significant differences were observed in the cecal microbes: Bacteroides was significantly enriched in WL, whereas Veillonellaceae and Parabacteroides were significantly enriched in SF. Carbohydrate biosynthesis and metabolism pathways were significantly upregulated in WL cecum, which might provide more energy to the host, leading to persistently high levels of egg production. The higher Parabacteroides abundance in SF increased volicitin content, enhanced α-linolenic acid metabolism, and significantly negatively correlated with metabolites of propanoate metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism. Genes related to lipid metabolism, immunity, and melanogenesis were significantly upregulated in the SF cecum, regulating lipid metabolism, and participating in the immune response, while genes related to glucose metabolism and bile acid metabolism were expressed at higher levels in WL, benefiting energy support. This study provided a mechanism for intestinal microorganisms and metabolic pathways to regulate chicken egg-laying performance and immunity.

A blend of microencapsulated organic acids and botanicals reduces necrotic enteritis via specific signaling pathways in broilers

Necrotic enteritis (NE) is a devastating disease that has seen a resurgence of cases following the removal of antibiotics from feed resulting in financial loss and significant animal health concerns across the poultry industry. The objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a microencapsulated blend of organic (25% citric and 16.7% sorbic) acids and botanicals (1.7% thymol and 1% vanillin [AviPlusP]) to reduce clinical NE and determine the signaling pathways associated with any changes. Day-of-hatch by-product broiler breeder chicks were randomly assigned to a control (0) or supplemented (500 g/MT) diet (n = 23-26) and evaluated in a NE challenge model (n = 3). Birds were administered 2X cocci vaccine on d 14 and challenged with a cocktail of Clostridium perfringens strains (107) on d 17 to 19. On d 20 to 21 birds were weighed, euthanized, and scored for NE lesions. Jejunal tissue was collected for kinome analysis using an immuno-metabolism peptide array (n = 5; 15/treatment) to compare tissue from supplement-fed birds to controls. Mortality and weight were analyzed using Student's t test and lesion scores analyzed using F-test two-sample for variances (P < 0.05). The kinome data was analyzed using PIIKA2 peptide array analysis software and fold-change between control and treated groups determined. Mortality in the supplemented group was 47.4% and 70.7% in controls (P = 0.004). Lesions scores were lower (P = 0.006) in supplemented birds (2.47) compared to controls (3.3). Supplement-fed birds tended (P = 0.19) to be heavier (848.6 g) than controls (796.2 g). Kinome analysis showed T cell receptor, TNF and NF-kB signaling pathways contributed to the improvements seen in the supplement-fed birds. The following peptides were significant (P < 0.05) in all 3 pathways: CHUK, MAP3K14, MAP3K7, and NFKB1 indicating their importance. Additionally, there were changes to IL6, IL10, and IFN- γ mRNA expression in tissue between control- and supplement-fed chickens. In conclusion, the addition of a microencapsulated blend of organic acids and botanicals to a broiler diet reduced the clinical signs of NE that was mediated by specific immune-related pathways.

A Novel NCSTN Mutation in a Three-Generation Chinese Family with Hidradenitis Suppurative

Objective

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by inflamed nodules, cysts, deep abscesses, draining sinuses in the axillae, inguinal, and anogenital regions. Mutations in the NCSTN gene have been perceived to be responsible for the major underlying changes in the disorder. The purpose of this study is to identify a novel gene mutation in a Chinese family with HS.

Methods

A Chinese family with HS present was investigated. The proband had manifested with multiple draining sinuses on the posterior neck, chest, bilateral axillae, and perineal regions. DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood of the family members. The encoding exons with introns of the NCSTN gene were analyzed by polymerase chain reactions (PCR) and direct DNA sequencing. Sanger sequencing was performed to confirm the next-generation sequencing results and to analyze each mutation's familial segregation. Furthermore, the identified mutation was localized onto a 3D structure model using the DeepView Swiss-PdbViewer 4.1 software.

Results

In this family comprising 10 HS patients, one novel mutation of the NCSTN gene was identified, involving a deletion mutation (c.447delC(p.N150Ifs∗52)) in the NCSTN gene resulting in a frameshift and the new formation of a hydrogen bond.

Conclusion

Our study reports the identification of a novel mutation that causes familial HS and could expand the spectrum of mutations in the γ-secretase genes underlying HS.

Development and Functional Properties of Intestinal Mucus Layer in Poultry

Intestinal mucus plays important roles in protecting the epithelial surfaces against pathogens, supporting the colonization with commensal bacteria, maintaining an appropriate environment for digestion, as well as facilitating nutrient transport from the lumen to the underlying epithelium. The mucus layer in the poultry gut is produced and preserved by mucin-secreting goblet cells that rapidly develop and mature after hatch as a response to external stimuli including environmental factors, intestinal microbiota as well as dietary factors. The ontogenetic development of goblet cells affects the mucin composition and secretion, causing an alteration in the physicochemical properties of the mucus layer. The intestinal mucus prevents the invasion of pathogens to the epithelium by its antibacterial properties (e.g. β-defensin, lysozyme, avidin and IgA) and creates a physical barrier with the ability to protect the epithelium from pathogens. Mucosal barrier is the first line of innate defense in the gastrointestinal tract. This barrier has a selective permeability that allows small particles and nutrients passing through. The structural components and functional properties of mucins have been reviewed extensively in humans and rodents, but it seems to be neglected in poultry. This review discusses the impact of age on development of goblet cells and their mucus production with relevance for the functional characteristics of mucus layer and its protective mechanism in the chicken’s intestine. Dietary factors directly and indirectly (through modification of the gut bacteria and their metabolic activities) affect goblet cell proliferation and differentiation and can be used to manipulate mucosal integrity and dynamic. However, the mode of action and mechanisms behind these effects need to be studied further. As mucins resist to digestion processes, the sloughed mucins can be utilized by bacteria in the lower part of the gut and are considered as endogenous loss of protein and energy to animal. Hydrothermal processing of poultry feed may reduce this loss by reduction in mucus shedding into the lumen. Given the significance of this loss and the lack of precise data, this matter needs to be carefully investigated in the future and the nutritional strategies reducing this loss have to be defined better.