title: Ultra-early weaning in piglets results in low serum IgA concentration and IL17 mRNA expression.
abstract: In pigs raised for meat production, weaning is a critical period because of related physiological perturbations and negative consequences on performance. Previous studies have shown that early weaning could either impair development of mucosal barrier function or boost intestinal immunologic parameters. In order to obtain further knowledge about the impact of ultra-early weaning on the porcine immune system development, three groups of piglets were weaned at different ages and compared to the unweaned control group. Lower IgA concentrations in ultra-early and early weaned piglets than in other piglets were identified in serum. In the mesenteric lymph node (MLN), significant differences in the mRNA expression of IL17a, TGF beta and FOXP3 were found between specific groups. Indeed, IL17a mRNA was mainly detected in ultra-early weaned piglets while FOXP3 and TGF beta mRNA were associated to both ultra-early weaned and suckling piglets. Reduced serum IgA concentration and MLN induction of a Th17 cytokine in ultra-early weaned piglets could be related to alterations of the mucosal barrier functions consecutive to the milk deprivation. All together, our findings suggest a crucial role for endogenous milk factors onto the onset of IgA synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), UR1282, Infectiologie Animale et Santé Publique, F-37380, Nouzilly, France.
authors.forename: Benoît
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Levast
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Monte
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chevaleyre
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.forename: Mustapha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berri
authors.forename: Françoise
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mangin
authors.forename: Galliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanello
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lantier
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salmon
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meurens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood*; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000235:genetics*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000378:metabolism; D008892:Milk / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D020381:Interleukin-17; D012333:RNA, Messenger