Heterophil cytokine mRNA profiles from genetically distinct lines of chickens with differential heterophil-mediated innate immune responses.
Previously we demonstrated that increased in-vitro heterophil function translates to increased in-vivo resistance to Salmonella enteritidis infections in broilers (line A > B). Heterophils produce cytokines and modulate acute protection against Salmonella in neonatal poultry. We hypothesized that heterophils from S. enteritidis-resistant chickens produce an up-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine response compared with S. enteritidis-susceptible chickens. In this study, heterophils were isolated 1, 14, and 28 days post-hatch, treated with RPMI or phagocytic agonists, and the cytokine/chemokine mRNA expression assessed using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. At all time-points, heterophils from S. enteritidis-resistant chickens (line A) had higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine mRNA expression upon stimulation compared with heterophils from S. enteritidis-susceptible chickens (line B). Furthermore, heterophils from line A chickens had decreased mRNA expression of transforming growth factor-beta4, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, compared with line B. These data indicate a relationship between cytokine/chemokine mRNA expression by heterophils and determining overall immune competence. Therefore, heterophil functional efficiency, accompanied by evaluating cytokine/chemokines produced by heterophils, may be useful biomarkers for breeders to consider when developing new immunocompetent lines.
Swaggerty
Christina L
CL
United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, 2881 F&B Road, College Station, TX 77845, USA.
Kaiser
Pete
P
Rothwell
Lisa
L
Pevzner
Igal Y
IY
Kogut
Michael H
MH
D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009895:Opsonin Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012477:Salmonella enteritidis; D015854:Up-Regulation
D016207:Cytokines; D009895:Opsonin Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger