Single-Molecule-Level Quantification Based on Atomic Force Microscopy Data Reveals the Interaction between Melittin and Lipopolysaccharide in Gram-Negative Bacteria.

The interaction forces and mechanical properties of the interaction between melittin (Mel) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are considered to be crucial driving forces for Mel when killing Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). However, how their interaction forces perform at the single-molecule level and the dissociation kinetic characteristics of the Mel/LPS complex remain poorly understood. In this study, the single-molecule-level interaction forces between Mel and LPSs from K-12, O55:B5, O111:B4, and O128:B12 were explored using atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS).

Porcine β-Defensin 114: Creating a Dichotomous Response to Inflammation.

The immunity-related functions of defensins seem to be dependent on environmental stimuli, the cell type, and the concentration of peptides. However, the function and mechanism of porcine β-defensin 114 (pBD114) in regulating the inflammatory response to macrophages are unclear. Therefore, the modulatory effects of porcine pBD114 on the inflammatory response were investigated by treating the mouse monocyte macrophage cell line RAW264.

New N-Terminal Fatty-Acid-Modified Melittin Analogs with Potent Biological Activity.

Melittin, a natural antimicrobial peptide, has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. This has resulted in it gaining increasing attention as a potential antibiotic alternative; however, its practical use has been limited by its weak antimicrobial activity, high hemolytic activity, and low proteolytic stability. In this study, N-terminal fatty acid conjugation was used to develop new melittin-derived lipopeptides (MDLs) to improve the characteristics of melittin.

NF-κB-dependent induction of porcine β-defensin 114 regulates intestinal epithelium homeostasis.

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) offer a primary physical barrier against commensal and pathogenic microorganisms in the gastrointestine. However, the influence of IECs on the development and regulation of mucosal immunity to infection is unknown. Here, we show that the porcine β-defensin 114 (PBD114) is an endotoxin-responsive gene expressed in IECs.

The immunomodulatory function of the porcine β-defensin 129: Alleviate inflammatory response induced by LPS in IPEC-J2 cells.

β-defensin family plays a critical role in host defense against infections. In this study, we found that pBD129 are widely expressed in porcine tissues such as the intestine, liver, and spleen. Interestingly, the expression level of pBD129 in most tissues was higher in Tibetan pigs than in DLY (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) pigs (P < 0.

Effects of essential oil on growth performance, digestibility, immunity, and intestinal health in broilers.

Essential oils (EO) are concentrated hydrophobic liquids containing volatile aromatic compounds obtained from plants, which have properties as withdrawn antibiotic growth promoters. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of EO on growth performance, digestibility, immunity and intestinal health in broilers. A total of 500 1-day-old Arbor Acre broilers were randomly put into five groups with 10 replicate cages containing 10 birds each.

Protective effect of Bombyx mori gloverin on intestinal epithelial cells exposure to enterotoxigenic E. coli.

Bombyx mori gloverin A2 (BMGlvA2) is an induced antimicrobial insect protein isolated from Bombyx mori. This study was conducted to explore the effect and potential mechanisms of BMGlvA2 on inflammatory responses and cellular functions in intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) exposure to enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC).

Dietary supplementation of plant essential oil improves growth performance, intestinal morphology and health in weaned pigs.

The present study was conducted to explore the effect of plant essential oil (PEO) on growth performance, intestinal morphology and health in weaned pigs. Twenty-four weaned pigs were assigned into four groups fed with a basal diet (CON) or basal diet containing PEO at a concentration of 50 (PEO50), 100 (PEO100) or 200 ppm (PEO200). After 21 days, pigs were slaughtered and blood and tissue samples were collected.

gloverin A2 alleviates enterotoxigenic -induced inflammation and intestinal mucosa disruption.

Background: Enterotoxigenic (ETEC) is one of the leading bacterial causes of intestinal inflammation and diarrhea. However, the ETEC is frequently resistant to common antibiotics. In this study, we explored the role of a novel antibacterial peptide gloverin A2 (BMGlvA2) in alleviating ETEC-induced inflammation and intestinal epithelium disruption in mice.

β-Defensin 129 Attenuates Bacterial Endotoxin-Induced Inflammation and Intestinal Epithelial Cell Apoptosis.

Defensins have attracted considerable research interest worldwide because of their potential to serve as a substitute for antibiotics. In this study, we characterized a novel porcine β-defensin (pBD129) and explored its role in alleviating bacterial endotoxin-induced inflammation and intestinal epithelium atrophy. The gene was cloned and expressed in .

Differential expression, molecular cloning, and characterization of porcine beta defensin 114.

Background: β-defensins have attracted considerable research interest because of their roles in protecting hosts from various pathogens. This study was conducted to investigate the expression profiles of the porcine β-defensin 114 () in different breeds and in response to infections. Moreover, the function of PBD114 protein was partially investigated.

Effects of plant essential oil supplementation on growth performance, immune function and antioxidant activities in weaned pigs.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of plant essential oil supplementation on growth performance, immune function and antioxidant activities in weaned pigs.

Methods: In the study, 24 weaned pigs were used to explore the effects of plant essential oil (PEO) on growth performance, immune properties and antioxidant activities. Pigs were fed with a basal diet (CON) or basal diet containing different concentrations of PEO (PEO50: 50 ppm; PEO100: 100 ppm; PEO200: 200 ppm).

Effects of oil quality and antioxidant supplementation on sow performance, milk composition and oxidative status in serum and placenta.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of oil quality and antioxidant (AOX) supplementation on sow performance, milk composition and oxidative status.

Methods: A total of 80 PIC (PIC breeding, 3 ~ 5 parities) sows with similar body condition were allocated to four groups (n = 20), receiving diets including fresh corn oil, oxidized corn oil, fresh corn oil plus AOX and oxidized corn oil plus AOX, respectively, from d 85 of gestation to d 21 of lactation. AOX was provided at 200 mg/kg diet and mixed with corn oil prior to dietary formulation.

Dietary supplementation with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate calcium during the early postnatal period accelerates skeletal muscle fibre growth and maturity in intra-uterine growth-retarded and normal-birth-weight piglets.

Intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) impairs postnatal growth and skeletal muscle development in neonatal infants. This study evaluated whether dietary β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate Ca (HMB-Ca) supplementation during the early postnatal period could improve muscle growth in IUGR neonates using piglets as a model. A total of twelve pairs of IUGR and normal-birth-weight (NBW) male piglets with average initial weights (1·85 (sem 0·36) and 2·51 (sem 0·39) kg, respectively) were randomly allotted to groups that received milk-based diets (CON) or milk-based diets supplemented with 800 mg/kg HMB-Ca (HMB) during days 7-28 after birth.

Effects of maternal over- and undernutrition on intestinal morphology, enzyme activity, and gene expression of nutrient transporters in newborn and weaned pigs.

Objectives: It has been suggested that maternal nutrition during gestation is involved in the offspring's intestinal development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of maternal nutrition on digestive and absorptive function of offspring at both birth and weaning with pig as model.

Methods: Eighteen primiparous Landrace × Yorkshire gilts (ages 253 ± 9 d; body weight 148.