Immunomodulatory effects of probiotics and prilled fat supplementation on immune genes expression and lymphocyte proliferation of transition stage Karan Fries cows

Effects of a supplemented diet containing 7 probiotic strains (Honeybeeotic) on honeybee physiology and immune response: analysis of hemolymph cytology, phenoloxidase activity, and gut microbiome

BACKGROUND

In this study, a probiotic mixture (Honeybeeotic) consisting of seven bacterial strains isolated from a unique population of honeybees (Apis mellifera ligustica) was used. That honeybee population was located in the Roti Abbey locality of the Marche Region in Italy, an area isolated from human activities, and genetic contamination from other honeybee populations. The aim was to investigate the effects of this probiotic mixture on the innate immunity and intestinal microbiome of healthy common honeybees in two hives of the same apiary. Hive A received a diet of 50% glucose syrup, while hive B received the same syrup supplemented with the probiotics, both administered daily for 1 month. To determine whether the probiotic altered the immune response, phenoloxidase activity and hemolymph cellular subtype count were investigated. Additionally, metagenomic approaches were used to analyze the effects on gut microbiota composition and function, considering the critical role the gut microbiota plays in modulating host physiology.

RESULTS

The results revealed differences in hemocyte populations between the two hives, as hive A exhibited higher counts of oenocytoids and granulocytes. These findings indicated that the dietary supplementation with the probiotic mixture was safe and well-tolerated. Furthermore, phenoloxidase activity significantly decreased in hive B (1.75 ± 0.19 U/mg) compared to hive A (3.62 ± 0.44 U/mg, p < 0.005), suggesting an improved state of well-being in the honeybees, as they did not require activation of immune defense mechanisms. Regarding the microbiome composition, the probiotic modulated the gut microbiota in hive B compared to the control, retaining core microbiota components while causing both positive and negative variations. Notably, several genes, particularly KEGG genes involved in amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) transport, were more abundant in the probiotic-fed group, suggesting an effective nutritional supplement for the host.

CONCLUSIONS

This study advocated that feeding with this probiotic mixture induces beneficial immunological effects and promoted a balanced gut microbiota with enhanced metabolic activities related to digestion. The use of highly selected probiotics was shown to contribute to the overall well-being of the honeybees, improving their immune response and gut health.

CRISPR/Cas genome editing revealed non-angiogenic role of VEGFA gene in porcine luteal cells: a preliminary report

BACKGROUND

The angiogenic cytokine vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) also exerts non-angiogenic effects on endocrine functionality of porcine luteal cells critical for progesterone (P4) production.

METHOD AND RESULTS

The expression dynamics of VEGFA-FLT/KDR system were investigated using RT-qPCR during luteal stages and VEGFA gene knock out (KO) porcine luteal cells were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The downstream effects of VEGFA ablation were studied using RT-qPCR, Annexin V, MTT, ELISA for P4 estimation and scratch wound assay. Bioinformatics analysis of RNA-Seq data of porcine mid-luteal stage was conducted for exploring protein-protein interaction network, KEGG pathways, transcription factors and kinase mapping for VEGFA-FLT/KDR interactomes. The VEGFA-FLT/KDR system expressed throughout the luteal stages with highest expression during mid- luteal stage. Cellular morphology, structure and oil-red-o staining for lipid droplets did not differ significantly between VEGFA KO and wild type cells, however, VEGFA KO significantly decreased (p < 0.05) viability and proliferation efficiency of edited cells on subsequent passages. Expression of apoptotic gene, CASP3 and hypoxia related gene, HIF1A were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated in KO cells. The relative mRNA expression of VEGFA and steroidogenic genes STAR, CYP11A1 and HSD3B1 decreased significantly (p < 0.05) upon KO, which was further validated by the significant (p < 0.05) decrease in P4 output from KO cells. Bioinformatics analysis mapped VEGFA-FLT/KDR system to signalling pathways associated with steroidogenic cell functionality and survival, which complemented the findings of the study.

CONCLUSION

The ablation of VEGFA gene resulted in decreased steroidogenic capability of luteal cells, which suggests that VEGFA exerts additional non-angiogenic regulatory effects in luteal cell functionality.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of probiotic use on inflammatory biomarkers and disease prevention in cattle

The aim of this study was to appraise the available evidence on the effectiveness of probiotic treatment on mature cattle immunity, inflammation, and disease prevention. A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to analyse studies that were eligible to answer the following research question: "in cattle of at least 6-months of age, is the use of probiotics associated with immunomodulatory and inflammatory responses, and clinical disease outcomes?" Our literature search yielded 25 studies that fit the inclusion criteria. From these studies, only 19 were suitable for inclusion in the meta-analysis due to data limitations and differences in study population characteristics. Included studies were assessed for bias using a risk assessment tool adapted from the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials. GRADE guidelines were used to assess the quality of the body of evidence at the outcome level. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager and R. The overall quality of evidence at the outcome level was assessed as being very low. On average, the treatment effect on immunoglobulin G (IgG), serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BoHB) for cows receiving probiotics did not differ from control cows. Exposure to probiotics was not associated with reduced risk of reproductive disorders (pooled RR = 1.02 95 % CI = 0.81-1.27, P = 0.88). There is insufficient evidence to support any significant positive effects of probiotics on cattle immunity and disease prevention. This lack of consistent evidence could be due to dissimilarities in the design of the included studies such as differences in dosage, dose schedule, diet composition and/or physiological state of the host at the time of treatment.

Palmitic Acid and β-Hydroxybutyrate Induce Inflammatory Responses in Bovine Endometrial Cells by Activating Oxidative Stress-Mediated NF-κB Signaling

Ketosis is a nutritional metabolic disease in dairy cows, and researches indicated that ketonic cows always accompany reproductive problems. When ketosis occurs, the levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) in the blood increase significantly. Palmitic acid (PA) is a main component of saturated fatty acids composing NEFA. The aim of this study was to investigate whether high levels of PA and BHBA induce inflammatory responses and regulatory mechanisms in bovine endometrial cells (BEND). Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative real-time PCR, and western blotting, we evaluated oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory factors, and the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway in cultured BEND cells treated with different concentrations of PA, BHBA, pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC, an NF-κB pathway inhibitor), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC, an antioxidant). The content of malondialdehyde was significantly higher, the content of glutathione was lower, and antioxidant activity-glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity-was lower in treated cells compared with control cells. PA- and BHBA-induced oxidative stress activated the NF-κB signaling pathway and upregulated the release of pro-inflammatory factors. Moreover, PA- and BHBA-induced activation of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses was inhibited by PDTC and NAC. High concentrations of PA and BHBA induce inflammatory responses in BEND cells by activating oxidative stress-mediated NF-κB signaling.