Leukemia inhibitory factor drives transcriptional programs that promote lipid accumulation and M2 polarization in macrophages.

Leukemia inhibitory factor, a member of the interleukin-6 cytokine family, plays a central role in homeostasis and disease. Interestingly, some of the pleiotropic effects of leukemia inhibitory factor have been attributed to the modulation of macrophage functions although the molecular underpinnings have not been explored at a genome-wide scale. Herein, we investigated leukemia inhibitory factor-driven transcriptional changes in murine bone marrow-derived macrophages by RNA sequencing.

Intestinal Colonization of and Its Hepatic Dissemination Are Associated with Local and Systemic Immune Responses in Broiler Chickens.

is an important foodborne pathogen. Despite the lack of clinical signs associated with its colonization in poultry, it has been reported to interact with the intestinal immune system. However, little is known about the interaction between and the chicken immune system, especially in the context of hepatic dissemination.

inhibits the expression of autophagy-related genes through AKT-dependent inactivation of the transcription factor FOXO3a.

The intracellular parasite induces host AKT activation to prevent autophagy-mediated clearance; however, the molecular underpinnings are not fully understood. Autophagy can be negatively regulated through AKT-sensitive phosphorylation and nuclear export of the transcription factor Forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a). Using a combination of pharmacological and genetic approaches, herein we investigated whether hinders host autophagy through AKT-dependent inactivation of FOXO3a.

Observations supporting hypothetical commensalism and competition between two strains colonizing the broiler chicken gut.

is the most prevalent bacterial foodborne pathogen in humans. Given the wide genetic diversity of strains found in poultry production, a better understanding of the relationships between these strains within chickens could lead to better control of this pathogen on farms. In this study, 14-day old broiler chickens were inoculated with two strains (10 or 10 CFU of D2008b and 10 CFU of G2008b, alone or together) that were previously characterized and that showed an opposite potential to compete for gut colonization in broilers.

Toxoplasma gondii Oocyst Infectivity Assessed Using a Sporocyst-Based Cell Culture Assay Combined with Quantitative PCR for Environmental Applications.

is a ubiquitous foodborne protozoan that can infect humans at low dose and displays different prevalences among countries in the world. Ingestion of food or water contaminated with small amounts of oocysts may result in human infection. However, there are no regulations for monitoring oocysts in food, mainly because of a lack of standardized methods to detect them.

Detecting and characterizing mixed infections with genetic variants of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) by developing an ankA cluster-specific nested PCR.

Background: Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-transmitted Gram-negative obligate intracellular bacterium able to infect a wide variety of wild and domestic animals worldwide. Based on the genetic diversity observed with different molecular markers, several host-specific lineages have been identified. Roe deer is one of the most important reservoirs of this bacterium and hosts different genetic groups sometimes found on domestic animals.