Immune response gene expression in spleens of diverse chicken lines fed dietary immunomodulators

Abstract

Vaccines, antibiotics, and other therapeutic agents used to combat disease in poultry generate recurring costs and the potential of residues in poultry products. Enhancing the immune response using alternative approaches such as selection for increased disease resistance or dietary immunomodulation may be effective additions to the portfolio of strategies the industry applies in poultry health management. The objective of this study was to characterize the effects of dietary supplementation with 3 immunomodulators [ascorbic acid, 1,3-1,6 β-glucans from baker's yeast, and corticosterone] on cytokine gene expression in the spleen of 3 distinct genetic lines of chickens. Relative mRNA expression levels were determined using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR for IL-1β, IL-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and toll-like receptors 4 and 15, all of which play important roles in chicken immune function. Expression data were analyzed by mixed model analysis. The only significant effect detected was sex effect (P < 0.04) on expression of IL-1β. The present findings suggest the need for further investigations into the effects of dietary immunomodulators on cytokine gene expression in chickens so as to generate a better understanding of the immunomodulation process.

Effect of Carotenoids, Oligosaccharides and Anthocyanins on Growth Performance, Immunological Parameters and Intestinal Morphology in Broiler Chickens Challenged with Escherichia coli Lipopolysaccharide

“…Nevertheless, no significant differences were observed in spleen or ileum in our study. Similarly, Kumar et al [62] identified that β-glucan in 0.10% could not alter TLR-4 mRNA expression in chicken spleen; however, no LPS challenge was involved in that study. Gene expression level of TLR-5 in this study was not altered significantly among the treatments.…”

“…Similarly, Markazi et al [9] found yeast cell wall products could not affect inflammatory IL-1β mRNA expression in chicken cecal tonsils under a coccidial challenge. Kumar et al [62] also discussed that β-glucan treatment did not produce different expressions of IL-1β, TLR-4 and TLR-5 in chicken spleen compared to LPS challenged birds. However, this study shows β-glucan supplementation could decrease the ileal gene expression level of TLR-5 compared to anthocyanin-fed birds.…”

Phytogenic Feed Additives in Poultry: Achievements, Prospective and Challenges

“…Some of the most recent studies are synthesized in Table 6 . Dietary immunomodulation is a key to enhance the productivity and immune system integrity of farm animals raised under the absence of antibiotics [ 141 ]. One of those mechanisms is the modulation of the expression of the cytokines playing a key role in both the adaptive and the innate immune system [ 142 , 143 ].…”

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

“…Adiposity (abdominal fat pad weight relative to body weight) at 8 wk of age in both Fayoumi and Leghorn is approximately half that of broilers (21). All three lines have been characterized extensively with respect to growth, body composition, and immune function (21,49,65,66). Furthermore, these three lines represent the parental strains used to create a panel of advanced intercross lines that can be used for systems genetics studies in chicken (85), comparable with the BXD and Collaborative Cross populations available in mice (19,77,78).…”