APEC infection affects cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction and cell cycle pathways in chicken trachea

• Published in: Research in veterinary science 2020-06, Vol.130, p.144-152
• Main Authors: Song, Xiangjun, Jiang, Huyan, Qi, Zhao, Shen, Xiao, Xue, Mei, Hu, Jiangan, Liu, Hongmei, Zhou, Xiuhong, Tu, Jian, Qi, Kezong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli; Cell cycle; Chicken trachea epithelium; Chickens; Cytokines; Cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction; E coli; Edema; Epithelium; Gene sequencing; Genes; Hyperemia; Hyperplasia; Infections; Infiltration; Inflammation; Laboratory animals; Leukocytes (granulocytic); mRNA; Pathogenicity; Pathogens; Poultry; Receptors; Regulatory mechanisms (biology); Respiratory tract; Respiratory tract diseases; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; Signal transduction; Signaling; Spleen; Toll-like receptors; Trachea; Veterinary medicine
• ISSN: 0034-5288; 1532-2661
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.03.016

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) can lead to extraintestinal disease in avian species via respiratory tract infection. However, the regulatory mechanism of APEC on the pathogenicity of chicken trachea epithelium remains unknown. In this study, we examined pathological changes in chicken trachea at different infection times (4, 8, 12 and 24 h). The RNA sequencing of APEC infection group and the PBS group (negative control) of chicken trachea epithelium were analysed. Our studies revealed that the oedema, heterophil infiltration and hyperaemia appeared at 8 and 12 h post APEC infection. And the hyperaemia phenomenon and heterophilic granulocyte infiltration disappeared at 24 h post infection. Then RNA sequencing showed many genes were dynamically expressed in the APEC infection group. At 4, 8 and 12 h post infection, the mRNA of differentially expressed genes were enriched by cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction and the toll-like receptor signalling pathway. The cell cycle pathway was enriched at 24 h post infection. Altogether, these findings suggest that APEC infection induces pathological change in the chicken trachea, the mRNA of differentially expressed genes participating in inflammation and hyperplasia signalling pathways. Which not only provide more evidence for regulatory mechanism of APEC on the pathogenicity of chicken trachea epithelium, but also facilitate the effective management of APEC infections in poultry through trachea. •APEC infection induced pathological change in chicken trachea.•APEC infection resulted Oedema, heterophil infiltration and hyperaemia of chicken trachea epithelium.•APEC infection of chicken trachea epithelium induces differentially expressed genes.•The differentially expressed genes were enriched in cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction at 4, 8 and 12 h post infection.•The differentially expressed genes were enriched in the cell cycle pathway at 24 h post infection.