Transcriptional response of cultured porcine intestinal epithelial cells to micro algae extracts in the presence and absence of enterotoxigenic .

Background: Micro algae's are worldwide considered as an alternative source of proteins in diets for animals and humans. Micro algae also produce an array of biological active substances with potential to induce beneficial and health promoting effects. To better understand the mode of action of micro algae's when applied as additive in diets, porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2), stressed by enterotoxigenic (ETEC) or under non-stressed conditions, were exposed to micro algae extracts and changes in gene expression were recorded.

Effects of Digested Onion Extracts on Intestinal Gene Expression: An Interspecies Comparison Using Different Intestine Models.

Human intestinal tissue samples are barely accessible to study potential health benefits of nutritional compounds. Numbers of animals used in animal trials, however, need to be minimalized. Therefore, we explored the applicability of in vitro (human Caco-2 cells) and ex vivo intestine models (rat precision cut intestine slices and the pig in-situ small intestinal segment perfusion (SISP) technique) to study the effect of food compounds.

Oral administration of Lactobacillus plantarum 299v modulates gene expression in the ileum of pigs: prediction of crosstalk between intestinal immune cells and sub-mucosal adipocytes.

To study host-probiotic interactions in parts of the intestine only accessible in humans by surgery (jejunum, ileum and colon), pigs were used as model for humans. Groups of eight 6-week-old pigs were repeatedly orally administered with 5 × 10(12) CFU Lactobacillus plantarum 299v (L. plantarum 299v) or PBS, starting with a single dose followed by three consecutive daily dosings 10 days later.

Effects of Salmonella on spatial-temporal processes of jejunal development in chickens.

To study effects of Salmonella enteritidis on morphological and functional changes in chicken jejunal development, we analysed gene expression profiles at seven points post-infection in 1-21 day-old broiler chickens. Nine clusters with different gene expression patterns were identified, and the genes in each cluster were further analyzed by a functional annotation clustering method (DAVID). Functional and morphological developmental processes dominated in all the nine clusters.

Gene expression patterns associated with chicken jejunal development.

Jejunal development occurs in a spatio-temporal pattern and is characterized by morphological and functional changes. To investigate jejunal development at the transcriptomic level, we performed microarray studies in 1-21-day-old chickens. Nine gene clusters were identified, each with a specific gene expression pattern.

Immunological and gene expression responses to a Salmonella infection in the chicken intestine.

Besides infection in humans, Salmonella enteritidis can also cause serious illness in young chickens. However, the genetic and immunological parameters important for the disease in chickens are not well characterized. In this study, processes in the chicken intestine in response to a Salmonella infection were investigated in two different chicken lines.

Maternal diet influences gene expression in intestine of offspring in chicken (Gallus gallus).

The diet of the mother during pregnancy influences the onset of different diseases and health-related traits in the offspring. We investigated the influence of the mother hen diet on the intestinal gene expression pattern in the offspring. Hens received for 11 weeks either a commercial feed or a commercial feed supplemented with vitamins and minerals.

Gene expression responses to a Salmonella infection in the chicken intestine differ between lines.

Poultry products are an important source of Salmonella enterica. An effective way to reduce food poisoning due to Salmonella would be to breed chickens more resistant to Salmonella. Unfortunately host responses to Salmonella are complex with many factors involved.

Early host gene expression responses to a Salmonella infection in the intestine of chickens with different genetic background examined with cDNA and oligonucleotide microarrays.

So far the responses of chickens to Salmonella have not been studied in vivo on a whole genome-wide scale. Furthermore, the influence of the host genetic background on gene expression responses is unknown. In this study gene expression profiles in the chicken (Gallus gallus) intestine of two genetically different chicken lines were compared, 24 h after a Salmonella enteritidis inoculation in 1-day-old chicks.

Ability of Lactococcus lactis to export viral capsid antigens: a crucial step for development of live vaccines.

The food grade bacterium Lactococcus lactis is a potential vehicle for protein delivery in the gastrointestinal tract. As a model, we constructed lactococcal strains producing antigens of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). IBDV infects chickens and causes depletion of B-lymphoid cells in the bursa of Fabricius and subsequent immunosuppression, morbidity, or acute mortality.

Exchange of the C-terminal part of VP3 from very virulent infectious bursal disease virus results in an attenuated virus with a unique antigenic structure.

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is the major viral pathogen in the poultry industry. Live attenuated serotype 1 vaccine strains are commonly used to protect susceptible chickens during their first 6 weeks of life. Wild-type serotype 1 IBDV strains are highly pathogenic only in chickens, whereas serotype 2 strains are apathogenic in chickens and other birds.