title: The feathering gene is linked to degranulation and oxidative burst not cytokine/chemokine mRNA expression levels or Salmonella enteritidis organ invasion in broilers.
abstract: In the past, we showed differences in heterophil function between parental broilers (A [fast feathering] > B [slow feathering]) and their F1 reciprocal crosses (D [fast feathering] > C [slow feathering]). In the present study, we evaluated the linkage of the feathering gene to heterophil function, pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine mRNA expression levels, and resistance to Salmonella enteritidis organ invasion. Heterophils were isolated from 2-day-old chickens (C and D) separated into males and females - slow males and females (SM and SF), and fast males and females (FM and FF). Heterophil functions of degranulation and oxidative burst were measured. Heterophils from FF chickens (183+/-8.9) released more (P < 0.05) beta-d-glucuronidase (microM) than heterophils from SF chickens (149+/-3.7); FF heterophils (4.6 x 10(4)) generated a significantly (P < 0.05) greater oxidative burst (mean relative fluorescent units) compared with SF heterophils (4.2 x 10(4)). Interleukin-6, CXCLi2, and interferon-alpha mRNA expression levels were quantitated by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. No differences were observed between SM and FM or between SF and FF heterophils. Finally, 1-day-old chickens were administered S. enteritidis and liver/spleen organ invasion was quantitated. No differences were observed between the number of S. enteritidis-positive FF and SF chickens, but FM were significantly (P < 0.05) more resistant to S. enteritidis organ invasion than SM chickens. The data indicate degranulation and oxidative burst were linked with the feathering gene; however, interleukin-6, CXCLi2, and interferon-alpha mRNA expression levels were not. Furthermore, susceptibility to in vitro S. enteritidis organ invasion was not linked to the feathering gene.
authors.affiliation: United States Department of Agriculture, ARS/SPARC, 2881 F&B Road, College Station, TX 77845, USA. Swaggerty@ffsru.usda.gov
authors.forename: Christina L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Swaggerty
authors.forename: Haiqi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Kenneth J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Genovese
authors.forename: Pete
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: Igal Y
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Pevzner
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Kogut
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D015550:Cell Degranulation; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D005241:Feathers / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016897:Respiratory Burst; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000382:microbiology*; D012477:Salmonella enteritidis / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger