Interferon-γ acts as a regulator in the trade-off between phagocytosis and production performance in dwarf chickens

Yitong Yuan; Shunqi Liu; Yue Zhao; Ling Lian; Zhengxing Lian

doi:10.1186/s40104-018-0256-y

Interferon-γ acts as a regulator in the trade-off between phagocytosis and production performance in dwarf chickens

J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2018 May 23:9:40. doi: 10.1186/s40104-018-0256-y. eCollection 2018.

Authors

Yitong Yuan¹, Shunqi Liu², Yue Zhao², Ling Lian¹, Zhengxing Lian¹

Affiliations

¹ 1Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China.
² 2Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193 China.

Abstract

Background: Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is critical for innate and adaptive immunity against viral and bacterial infections. IFN-γ reportedly affects the phagocytic ability of monocytes and macrophages as well as regulates pituitary function in humans and mice. The present study analyzed the impact of IFN-γ on monocyte and macrophage phagocytosis, production performance, and pituitary function in vivo and in vitro (in dwarf chickens). IFN-γ was injected into dwarf chickens through a vein, and then, the laying rate, average egg weight, and levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and IFN-γ were measured in treatment and control groups. For the in vitro experiment, the pituitary tissues were supplemented with IFN-γ, and the mRNA expression levels of follicle-stimulating hormone beta subunit (FSH-β), interferon gamma receptor 1 (IFNGR1), and interferon gamma receptor 2 (IFNGR2) in the pituitary were assessed.

Results: Monocyte and macrophage phagocytosis product (PP) was decreased by IFN-γ treatment in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. In the in vivo experiment, the level of IFN-γ in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group at 7 d (P < 0.05), 14 d (P < 0.01), and 21 d (P < 0.01) post-injection. Compared with the control group, monocyte and macrophage PP was lower in the treatment group after injection (P < 0.01). The laying rate was higher in the treatment group than in the control group at 2 and 3 wk post-injection (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference between the treatment and control groups in the levels of FSH at 1, 3, 7, and 14 d post-injection (P < 0.01). In the in vitro experiment, increased mRNA expression levels of FSH-β, IFNGR1, and IFNGR2 were observed in the treatment group after stimulation with 100 U/mL IFN-γ for 24 h compared to those in the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions: IFN-γ inhibited the phagocytosis of monocytes and macrophages; up-regulated the mRNA expression levels of the FSH-β, IFNGR1, and IFNGR2; enhanced the secretion of FSH; and improved the laying rate. IFN-γ might be an important regulator in the trade-off between the immune effect and production performance in dwarf chickens.

Keywords: Dwarf chicken; Interferon-γ; Macrophage; Monocyte; Phagocytosis product; Production performance.

Publication types

Review