dPRLR causes differences in immune responses between early and late feathering chickens after ALV-J infection

AbstractTo understand the differences in immune responses between early feathering (EF) and late feathering (LF) chickens after infection with avian leukosis virus, subgroup J (ALV-J), we monitored the levels of prolactin, growth hormone and the immunoglobulins IgG and IgM in the serum of LF and EF chickens for 8 weeks. Moreover, we analysed the expression of immune-related genes in the spleen and the expression of PRLR, SPEF2 and dPRLR in the immune organs and DF-1 cells by qRT–PCR. The results showed that ALV-J infection affected the expression of prolactin, growth hormone, IgG and IgM in the serum. Regardless of whether LF and EF chickens were infected with ALV-J, the serum levels of the two hormones and two immunoglobulins in EF chickens were higher than those in LF chickens (P < 0.05). However, the expression of immune-related genes in the spleen of positive LF chickens was higher than that in the spleen of positive EF chickens. In the four immune organs, PRLR and SPEF2 expression was also higher in LF chickens than in EF chickens. Furthermore, the dPRLR expression of positive LF chickens was higher than that of negative LF chickens. After infection with ALV-J, the expression of PRLR in DF-1 cells significantly increased. In addition, overexpression of PRLR or dPRLR in DF-1 cells promoted replication of ALV-J. These results suggested that the susceptibility of LF chickens to ALV-J might be induced by dPRLR.

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dPRLR Cause the Differences in Immune Responses Between Early and Late Feathered Chickens After ALV-J Infection

10.21203/rs.3.rs-738738/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Guodong Mo ◽

Bowen Hu ◽

Qihong Zhang ◽

Zhuohao Ruan ◽

Wangyu Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Growth Hormone ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Prolactin Receptor ◽

Avian Leukosis Virus ◽

Qrt Pcr ◽

Immune Organs ◽

Immune Related Genes ◽

Subgroup J ◽

Avian Leukosis Virus Subgroup

Abstract Background: The late feathering (LF) chickens are more susceptible to avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) infection than are early feathering (EF) chickens. To understand the differences in immune responses between EF and LF chickens after infection with ALV-J, we monitored the levels of prolactin (PRL) and growth hormone (GH), and immunoglobulin IgG and IgM in serum in LF and EF chickens for 8 weeks. Six birds with positive or negative ALV-J infection from EF or LF, respectively. Moreover, we analyzed the expression of immune-related genes in the spleen and the expression of prolactin receptor (PRLR), sperm flagellar 2 (SPEF2), and parts of PRLR (dPRLR) in the spleen, thymus, bone marrow, cecal tonsils, and DF-1 cells by qRT-PCR. Results: The results showed that ALV-J infection affected the expression of prolactin, growth hormone, IgG and IgM in serum. No matter LF and EF chickens were infected with ALV-J or not, the levels of the two hormones and the two immunoglobulins in the serum of EF chickens were higher than those of LF chickens (P < 0.05). However, the expression of immune-related genes in the spleen of LF positive chickens was higher than that of EF positive chickens. In the four immune organs, the PRLR and SPEF2 expression of LF chickens was also higher than that of EF chickens. Furthermore, the dPRLR expression of LF positive chickens was higher than that of LF negative chickens. After being infected with ALV-J, the expression of PRLR in DF-1 cells was significantly increased. Besides, overexpression of PRLR or dPRLR in DF-1 cells promoted the replication of the ALV-J virus.Conclusion: Overall, the levels of PRL, GH, IgG and IgM in the serum along with the expression of some immune-related genes in the spleen were all different in LF and EF chickens after being infected with ALV-J. These findings revealed that the susceptibility of LF chickens to ALV-J might be induced by dPRLR.

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