Distinct transcriptomic response to Newcastle disease virus infection during heat stress in chicken tracheal epithelial tissue.

Authors: Saelao, Perot; WANG, YING - University Of California, Davis; CHANTHAVIXAY, GANREA - University Of California, Davis; YU, VIVIAN - University Of California, Davis; GALLARDO, RODRIGO - University Of California, Davis; DEKKERS, JACK - Iowa State University; LAMONT, SUSAN - Iowa State University; KELLY, TERRA - University Of California, Davis; ZHOU, HUAIJUN - University Of California, Davis

Submitted to: Scientific Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/19/2021
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Newcastle disease (ND) is caused by a virus that has the potential to greatly impact poultry health, welfare, and industry. Previous research into the effects of ND on the host has only been done during typical ambient temperatures. This study attempts to understand the impact heat stress has on chicken host immunity. The study found that birds exposed to heat stress were more susceptible to disease. In addition, when comparing a "resistant" vs. "susceptible" line, the resistant bird maintained better health during heat stress. This study provides information on the gene expression and gene regulation of the host during disease infection, while simultaneously experiencing external stress. The profiling of the gene expression response in the trachea adds to our understanding of the chicken host response to NDV infection and heat stress on a whole genome level and provides potential candidate genes and signaling pathways for further investigation into the characterization of the time-specific and pathway specific responses in Fayoumis and Leghorns.

Technical Abstract: Newcastle disease (ND) has a great impact on poultry health and welfare with its most virulent (velogenic) strain. In addition, issues exacerbated by the increase in global temperatures necessitates a greater understanding of the host immune response when facing a combination of biotic and abiotic stress factors in poultry production. Our previous works have revealed host immune response displayed at tissue-specific manner. The goal of this study was to identify genes and/or signaling pathways associated with immune response to NDV (Newcastle disease virus) in trachea, an essential organ where NDV replicate after the infection, by profiling the tissue specific transcriptome response in two genetically distinct inbred chicken lines when exposed to both abiotic and biotic stressors. Fayoumis appear to be respond more effectively (lower viral titer, higher antibody levels, immune gene up-regulation) and earlier than Leghorns. Our results suggest NDV infection in Fayoumis appears to elicit proinflammatory processes more rapidly than in Leghorns. These differences in immune response converge at later timepoints which may indicate that Leghorns eventually regulate its immune response to infection. The profiling of the gene expression response in the trachea adds to our understanding of the chicken host response to NDV infection and heat stress on a whole genome level and provides potential candidate genes and signaling pathways for further investigation into the characterization of the time-specific and pathway specific responses in Fayoumis and Leghorns.