title: Cytokine responses in broiler lines that differ in susceptibility to malabsorption syndrome.
abstract: 1. Based on earlier studies it was hypothesised that there is an immunological basis for the differences in susceptibility to malabsorption syndrome (MAS). A study was conducted to investigate base-line and MAS-induced cytokine levels in the intestine of broilers that differ in MAS susceptibility. 2. The transcription of cytokine mRNA in the intestine was quantified using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. At different time points after disease induction the intestines of broilers were investigated for expression of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18 and interferon (IFN)-gamma. Age-matched non-MAS-induced chickens served as controls. 3. Control chickens from a MAS-resistant line had higher concentrations of mRNA for IL-2, IL-6, IL-18 and IFN-gamma in the small intestine while no difference between the lines was found for IL-8. After induction of MAS the relative amounts of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and IFN-gamma mRNA increased more in the intestines of the susceptible line than in the gut of the resistant line. 4. We suggest that differences in cytokine mRNA in the base-line situation and in MAS-induced conditions indicate a difference in immune response regulation in the two broiler lines. This difference in response could lead to the difference in susceptibility to MAS.
authors.affiliation: Animal Sciences Group, AB Lelystad, The Netherlands. Annemarie.Rebel@WUR.NL
authors.forename: J M J
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rebel
authors.forename: F R M
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Balk
authors.forename: W J A
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Boersma
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D008286:Malabsorption Syndromes / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger