Hematology and toll-like receptors 2 and 4 and lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-α factor gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Thai indigenous chickens

Chananphat Tantikositruj; Asep Gunawan; Muhammad Jasim Uddin; Wirawan Nuchchanart; Chaiwat Boonkaewwan; Watchara Laenoi; Autchara Kayan

doi:10.14202/vetworld.2022.2795-2799

Hematology and toll-like receptors 2 and 4 and lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-α factor gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Thai indigenous chickens

Vet World. 2022 Dec;15(12):2795-2799. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.2795-2799. Epub 2022 Dec 7.

Authors

Chananphat Tantikositruj¹, Asep Gunawan², Muhammad Jasim Uddin³, Wirawan Nuchchanart⁴, Chaiwat Boonkaewwan⁵, Watchara Laenoi⁶, Autchara Kayan¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, Ngam Wong Wan, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
² Department of Animal Production and Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Bogor 16680, Indonesia.
³ School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Western Australia 6155, Australia.
⁴ Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand.
⁵ Akkhraratchakumari Veterinary College, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat 80161, Thailand.
⁶ Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Phayao, Phayao 56000, Thailand.

Abstract

Background and aim: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play crucial roles in the early phase of infection in the innate immune response against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-α factor (LITAF) is an essential transcription factor that regulates the immune system, apoptosis, and inflammatory cytokines. This study aimed to determine the hematological profile reflecting the immune response related to TLR2 and TLR4 and LITAF gene expression in Thai indigenous chickens.

Materials and methods: Blood samples (2 mL) were randomly obtained from three chicken breeds (black-boned chicken, Fah Luang chicken, and Pradu Hang Dam chicken) at 16 weeks of age (n = 5 per breed). The hematological profile and mRNA expression within the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were determined by hematological analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results: The hematological profile differed significantly in terms of red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin, and white blood cells (WBCs) (p < 0.05). Black-boned chicken and Fah Luang chicken had lower RBC levels than Pradu Hang Dam chicken. Fah Luang chicken had lower hemoglobin than Pradu Hang Dam chicken. However, Fah Luang chicken had higher WBC levels than Pradu Hang Dam chicken. Hematocrit, heterophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes did not differ significantly among the groups (p > 0.05). According to qRT-PCR, the expression of the TLR2 gene did not differ significantly among the groups (p > 0.05), while TLR4 and LITAF gene expression did (p < 0.05). Toll-like receptor 4 and LITAF genes were most highly expressed in Fah Luang chicken.

Conclusion: The PBMCs of Thai indigenous chickens showed evidence of TLR4 and LITAF gene expression, with higher expression levels observed in Fah Luang chicken. From this preliminary study, it is concluded that TLR4 and LITAF genes might play roles in the main immune system response in Thai indigenous chickens.

Keywords: Thai indigenous chicken; blood hematology; gene expression; immune.