title: Transforming growth factor-beta isoforms in the developing chicken intestine and spleen: increase in transforming growth factor-beta 4 with coccidia infection.
abstract: Expression of transforming growth factor-betas 2, 3 and 4 (TGF-beta) in the developing chicken intestine and spleen was investigated using specific cDNA probes and antibodies for the different TGF-beta isoforms. Coordinate expression of the mRNAs for TGF-beta s 2, 3 and 4 was detected in the embryonic intestine by 8 days, with maximal expression of the mRNAs for TGF-beta s 2 and 4 occurring at 12 and 19 days, respectively, while expression of TGF-beta 3 mRNA remained constant during this time. While specific antibodies for TGF-beta s 2, 3 and 4 could detect only weak immunohistochemical staining of the intestinal epithelium in 4-, 12- and 16-day-old embryos, intense staining for TGF-beta s 2, 3 and 4 was detected in the tips of the intestinal villi of 19-day-old embryos. In the spleen, expression of the mRNAs for TGF-beta s 2 and 3 increased in the newly hatched chick compared with the embryo and then decreased in the adult to levels that were lower than in the embryo; expression of TGF-beta 4 mRNA increased progressively with developmental age, with expression in the adult spleen being significantly higher than in the embryonic and hatchling spleen. Immunohistochemical staining of spleens showed a selective increase in the level of reactive TGF-beta 4 with increasing developmental age, while staining for TGF-beta s 2 and 3 was constant during development. After infection of 1-month-old chickens with coccidian parasite, expression of TGF-beta 4 mRNAs increased 5-8-fold in intestinal intra-epithelial lymphocytes and 2.5-fold in spleen cells, while expression of the mRNAs for TGF-beta s 2 and 3 remained constant in these cells. The results of this study suggest that TGF-beta may play a role in development of the intestine and spleen in the chicken and that TGF-beta 4 in particular increases after infection of coccidia in the chicken.
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Institute, Biomarkers and Prevention Research Branch, Rockville, MD 20850, USA.
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Jakowlew
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mathias
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Lillehoj
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D002642:Chick Embryo; D002645:Chickens; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D004539:Eimeria; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development*; D007536:Isomerism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013154:Spleen / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta