Quantitative analyses of genes associated with Mucin production and host inflammatory response of broiler chickens with induced necrotic enteritis

Abstract

Clostridial infection of the intestines of chickens results in necrotic enteritis (NE) and reduced production and health. Mucins play a major role in protecting the intestinal epithelium from infection. The relative roles of different mucins in gut pathology following bacterial challenge are unclear. This study was designed to establish a molecular approach to quantifying the expression of mucin and mucin-related genes, using gut samples from an NE challenge trial. A method for quantifying mucin gene expression was established using a suite of reference genes to normalise expression data. This method was then used to quantify the expression of 12 candidate genes involved in mucin, inflammatory cytokine or growth factor biosynthesis. MUC2, MUC13 and MUC5ac were the only genes that were differentially expressed in the intestine between treatment groups. Expression of MUC2 and MUC13 was depressed by challenge with Clostridium perfringens (Cp). Antibiotic treatment prevented a Cp induced decrease in MUC2 expression but did not affect MUC13. MUC5ac expression was elevated in birds challenged with Cp. This preliminary study has paved the way for more extensive studies into changes in mucin dynamics during NE challenge.