Immunomodulatory Effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentation Product Supplementation on Immune Gene Expression and Lymphocyte Distribution in Immune Organs in Broilers

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the molecular and cellular immunomodulatory effects of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation product (Original XPC, Diamond V) in broilers. Our lab has previously demonstrated that broilers fed XPC generate faster and stronger antigen-specific humoral immune responses to Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccination. This study aims at investigating the mechanism behind this increased immunocompetence. One-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1.25 kg/ton S. cerevisiae fermentation product (XPC treatment group) or control diet. Birds were vaccinated against NDV on day 1 (B1 strain) and day 21 (LaSota strain) post-hatch. Innate and adaptive immune-related gene expression profiles in central (thymus and bursa of Fabricius) and peripheral (spleen) immune organs were investigated at 14 and 28 days of age by qPCR array. Fold changes larger than 1.2 (P < 0.05) between treated and control were considered significant. Lymphocyte subpopulations in central and peripheral immune organs and blood leukocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry at 14, 21, 28, and 42 days of age. In the spleen, Th1 immune responses and antiviral genes, such as IFN-γ, and its downstream genes signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT4) and NFκB, were significantly upregulated in the treated group by 14 days of age. In the thymus, genes belonging to different functional groups were influenced at different time points. Cytokine genes associated with lymphocyte maturation, differentiation, and proliferation, such as IL-1R, IL-2, and IL-15 were significantly upregulated in the treated group by 28 days of age. Genes preferentially expressed in the medulla of the thymus and mature thymocytes, such as Myxovirus resistance gene 1, interferon regulatory factor-1, interferon regulatory factor-7, and STAT1, were upregulated in the birds supplemented with XPC. Birds supplemented with XPC had significantly higher percentages of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T-cells in the thymus at day 28 of age, indicating production of more mature T-cells, which was consistent with gene expression results. Results suggest that XPC supplementation primes broilers to become more immunocompetent, without compromising growth performance.

Long-term use of yeast fermentation products in comparison to halofuginone for the control of cryptosporidiosis in neonatal calves

“…Assuming this is correct, a reduced endogenous multiplication of the parasite would result in less pathological alterations in the intestinal mucosa corresponding with the histological findings by Vázquez Flores et al (2016), albeit obviously without clinical improvement. In this context it is of interest to mention that SCFP had been shown to have a positive effect on the intestinal development of preweaned calves (Xiao et al, 2016) and a positive immunomodulatory effect in animals (Park, 2014;Chou et al, 2017). Of course, it warrants to further investigate the mechanism of action of SCFP.…”

The anti-Salmonella and immunostimulatory properties of yeast-based postbiotics in poultry and cattle

“…This barrier function is further protected by an increased production of non-specific innate proteins, such as lysozymes and IgM (Evans et al, 2012;Jensen et al, 2007;Jensen et al, 2011;Possemiers et al, 2013). Within the innate immune system, phagocytes show more active immunophenotypes (Chou et al, 2017;Jensen et al, 2007;Possemiers et al, 2013). There is also an increase in the production of chemokines and cytokines that assist in recruiting and activating effector cells to clear the invading pathogen (Evans et al, 2012;Jensen et al, 2007;Jensen et al, 2011;Possemiers et al, 2013).…”

“…Interestingly, while XPC activates innate cells, it also beneficially tunes the inflammatory responses resulting in less non-specific inflammation (Jensen et al, 2007;Jensen et al, 2011). Finally, cell-mediated and humoral immunity are improved in animals on XPC (Chou et al, 2017). Altogether, the tuned immunology of both branches of the immune system likely contribute to a healthier food production animal.…”

“…The enhancement of complement activation is implicated in the success of XPC in improving the immune response to a Marek's vaccine challenge (Chou et al, 2017). This upregulation likely beneficially modulates the immune system and enables animals fed an XPCcontaining diet to respond with a more tuned, efficient, and effective response to vaccination (Chou et al, 2017). Other research indicates that feeding animals XPC corresponds to a better phagocytic clearance of pathogens (Chapter 3).…”

“…A common metric associated with achieving this aim is termed feed efficiency, which is loosely defined as a reduction in the lifetime feed consumption of an animal while either maintaining or enhancing growth curves or yields (Herd and Arthur, 2009;Herrero et al, 2013). Yeast fermentation metabolite byproducts have been used by producers for nearly a century to improve the production efficiencies of poultry, swine, meat goats, cattle, and aquaculture (Alizadeh et al, 2016;Chaucheyras-Durand and Durand, 2010;Chou et al, 2017;E. Kairie, 2015;Hippen et al, 2010;Lensing et al, 2012;Mussatto et al, 2006;Poppy et al, 2012;Price et al, 2010;Titi et al, 2008;Xiao et al, 2016).…”