Effects of alpha-(1,2)-fucosyltransferase genotype variants on plasma metabolome, immune responses and gastrointestinal bacterial enumeration of pigs pre- and post-weaning

PLoS One. 2018 Aug 27;13(8):e0202970. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202970. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

In pigs, the alpha-(1,2) fucosyltransferase (FUT1) gene has been highlighted for its properties in controlling the intestinal expression of enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) F18 receptors; a pathogen causing edema disease and post-weaning diarrhoea. In this study, we hypothesized that pigs with different genotypes (ETEC F18 resistant (FUT1AA) versus susceptible (FUT1AG)) differed in following systemic and enteric responses: growth performance, plasma metabolic profiles, expression of candidate genes for intestinal mucosal homeostasis and immunity, number of selected bacteria and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) in faeces and digesta in piglets pre and post-weaning, and on the ETEC F18 adherence ex vivo. Genotype had the strongest impact on plasma metabolomic profile on day 7 and 28 of age. FUT1AG piglets had higher level of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone, hippuric acid, oxindole, and 3-oxo-5-beta-chol-7-en-24-oic acid on day 7, and a higher level of guanosine on day 28 than that in the FUT1AA piglets. FUT1AA piglets had a higher level of betaine on day 7 and 3-methylguanine on day 28. On day 34 of age, the FUT1AA pigs had higher levels of S-2-hydroxyglutarate, L-phenylalanine, tauroursodeoxycholic acid and an undetermined PC/LysoPC, while Ile Glu Phe Gly peptide and genistein 5-O-glucuronide, and PC (18:0/0:0) were at higher levels in the FUT1AG piglets. FUT1 genotype did not affect the growth performance and expression of candidate genes. FUT1AG piglets had a higher number of haemolytic bacteria in faeces and in digesta than that in FUT1AA at 34 days of age. The colonic acetic acid concentration was highest in FUT1AG piglets. FUT1 genotype may influence not only the expression of E. coli F18 receptors but could potentially impact the gut homeostasis and metabotype of piglets pre and post-weaning. Further investigations on the relation between FUT1 genotype and these aspects including the intestinal commensal microbiota will expand the knowledge on factors affecting the intestinal ecosystem.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diarrhea / blood
  • Diarrhea / genetics
  • Diarrhea / immunology*
  • Diarrhea / microbiology
  • Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
  • Escherichia coli Infections / blood
  • Escherichia coli Infections / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Infections / immunology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / veterinary*
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Fucosyltransferases / genetics*
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome*
  • Genotype
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology*
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / microbiology
  • Metabolome*
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / blood
  • Swine Diseases / genetics
  • Swine Diseases / immunology*
  • Swine Diseases / microbiology
  • Weaning

Substances

  • Fucosyltransferases

Grants and funding

Funding for the experimental work and paper drafting was made possible through a Ph.D.-scholarship obtained from the Graduate School of Science and Technology, Aarhus University, Denmark, for main author Ann-Sofie Riis Poulsen, and a Short Term Scientific Mission grant for main author Diana Luise from the COST Action FA1401 (PiGutNet), supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.