Regulation of CD4+CD8-CD25+ and CD4+CD8+CD25+ T cells by gut microbiota in chicken

Sci Rep. 2018 Jun 5;8(1):8627. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-26763-0.

Abstract

The gut microbiota in chicken has long been studied, mostly from the perspective of growth performance. However, there are some immunological studies regarding gut homeostasis in chicken. Although CD4+CD25+ T cells are reported to act as regulatory T cells (Tregs) in chicken, there have been no studies showing the relationship between gut microbiota and Tregs. Therefore, we established a model for 'antibiotics (ABX)-treated chickens' through administration of an antibiotic cocktail consisting of ampicillin, gentamycin, neomycin, metronidazole, and vancomycin in water for 7 days. CD4+CD8-CD25+ and CD4+CD8+CD25+ T cells in cecal tonsils were significantly decreased in this model. Gram-positive bacteria, especially Clostridia, was responsible for the changes in CD4+CD8-CD25+ or CD4+CD8+CD25+ T cells in cecal tonsils. Feeding ABX-treated chickens with acetate recovered CD4+CD8-CD25+ and CD4+CD8+CD25+ T cells in cecal tonsils. GPR43, a receptor for acetate, was highly expressed in CD4+CD8-CD25+ T cells. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the gut microbiota can regulate the population of CD4+CD8-CD25+ and CD4+CD8+CD25+ T cells, and that acetate is responsible for the induction of CD4+CD8-CD25+ T cells in cecal tonsils via GPR43.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • CD4 Antigens / analysis
  • CD8 Antigens / analysis
  • Cecum / immunology
  • Chickens
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / immunology*
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / immunology*
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / analysis
  • Palatine Tonsil / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / chemistry
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / chemistry
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • CD4 Antigens
  • CD8 Antigens
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit