Patterns of gene expression in pig adipose tissue: insulin-like growth factor system proteins, neuropeptide Y (NPY), NPY receptors, neurotrophic factors and other secreted factors

Although cDNA microarray studies have examined gene expression in human and rodent adipose tissue, only one microarray study of adipose tissue from growing pigs has been reported. Total RNA was collected at slaughter from outer subcutaneous adipose tissue (OSQ) and middle subcutaneous adipose tissue (MSQ) from gilts at 90, 150, and 210 d (n=5 age(-1)). Dye labeled cDNA probes were hybridized to custom porcine microarrays (70-mer oligonucleotides). Gene expression of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs), hormones, growth factors, neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptors (NPYRs) and other receptors in OSQ and MSQ changed little with age in growing pigs. Distinct patterns of relative gene expression were evident within NPYR and IGFBP family members in adipose tissue from growing pigs. Relative gene expression levels of NPY2R, NPY4R and angiopoietin 2 (ANG-2) distinguished OSQ and MSQ depots in growing pigs. We demonstrated, for the first time, the expression of IGFBP-7, IGFBP-5, NPY1R, NPY2R, NPY, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) genes in pig adipose tissue with microarray and RT-PCR assays. Furthermore, adipose tissue CTGF gene expression was upregulated while NPY and NPY2R gene expression were significantly down regulated by age. These studies demonstrate that expression of neuropeptides and neurotrophic factors in pig adipose tissue may be involved in regulation of leptin secretion. Many other regulatory factors were not influenced by age in growing pigs but may be influenced by location or depot.     

Leptin mRNA expression and serum leptin concentrations as influenced by age, weight, and estradiol in pigs

Two experiments (EXP) were conducted to determine the roles of age, weight and estradiol (E) treatment on serum leptin concentrations and leptin gene expression. In EXP I, jugular blood samples were collected from gilts at 42 to 49 (n = 8), 105 to 112 (n = 8) and 140 to 154 (n = 8) d of age. Serum leptin concentrations increased (P < 0.05) with age and averaged 0.66, 2.7, and 3.0 ng/ml (pooled SE 0.21) for the 42- to 49-, 105- to 112-, and 140- to 154-d-old gilts, respectively. In EXP II, RNase protection assays were used to assess leptin mRNA in adipose tissue of ovariectomized gilts at 90 (n = 12), 150 (n = 11) or 210 (n = 12) d of age. Six pigs from each age group received estradiol (E) osmotic pump implants and the remaining animals received vehicle control implants (C; Day 0). On Day 7, back fat and blood samples were collected. Estradiol treatment resulted in greater (P < 0.05) serum E levels in E (9 +/- 1 pg/ml) than C (3 +/- 1 pg/ml) pigs. Serum leptin concentrations were not affected by age, nor E treatment. Leptin mRNA expression was not increased by age in C pigs nor by F in 90- and 150-d-old pigs. However, by 210 d of age, leptin mRNA expression was 2.5-fold greater (P < 0.01) in E-treated pigs compared to C animals. Serum insulin concentrations were similar between treatments for 210-d-old pigs. However, insulin concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in E than C pigs at 90 d and greater in C than E animals at 150 d. Plasma glucose and serum insulin-like growth factor-I concentrations were not influenced by treatment. These results demonstrate that serum leptin concentrations increased with age and E-induced leptin mRNA expression is age- and weight-dependent.     

Expression of genes for interleukins, neuropeptides, growth hormone receptor, and leptin receptor in adipose tissue from growing broiler chickens

In this study, total RNA was collected from abdominal adipose tissue samples obtained from 10 broiler chickens at 3, 4, 5, and 6 wk of age and prepared for quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis was used to examine the influence of age on the expression of the adipose tissue genes for IL-1β, -6, -10, -15, -18; brain-derived neurotropic factor; ciliary neurotropic factor; interferon γ, neuropeptide Y receptor Y1; neuropeptide Y; nucleobindin 2; growth hormone receptor; leptin receptor; and visfatin. Between 3 and 6 wk of age, leptin receptor expression decreased (P = 0.013) with age, whereas expression of IL-15 (P = 0.015) and growth hormone receptor (P = 0.002) increased. Furthermore, IL-18 (P < 0.001) and visfatin (P = 0.007) expression increased between 4 and 6 wk of age. This is a unique exhibition of age-related changes in cytokine gene expression in chicken adipose tissue. Future studies are needed to elucidate the role of adipose tissue cytokines in growth and, possibly, disease resistance.     

长白猪和梅山猪脂肪中脂肪沉积相关基因的表达差异

为了揭示瘦肉型的长白猪和脂肪型的梅山猪脂肪沉积相关基因的表达差异,采用qRT-PCR方法检测了两猪种背部皮下脂肪组织中硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶(SCD)、苹果酸酶(ME1)和解耦联蛋白3(UCP3)基因的表达量在30、60、90、120和150 d的变化。结果表明,两品种SCD的表达模式除90~120 d相反外,其他各日龄之间基本相同;ME1在30~120 d基本相同,而120~150 d呈现出相反的模式;UCP3除120~150 d相同外,其他各日龄之间呈现相反的模式。以上结果初步揭示了两猪种在生长发育过程中SCD、ME1和UCP3表达的发育性变化模式和品种差异,为深入研究脂肪合成代谢的调控机制提供了基础数据。     

A mixed-model approach for the analysis of cDNA microarray gene expression data from extreme-performing pigs after infection with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae

We proposed a novel statistical approach for the analysis of cDNA experiments based on mixed-model methodology combined with mixtures of distributions. Our objective was to detect genes that may be involved in conferring heritable differences in susceptibility to common infections in intensive pig production. We employed a microarray expression profiling strategy and a mixed-model approach to the analysis of the expression data. A cDNA microarray of pig with 6,420 probes from immune tissues and cells was used to compare gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes of two pigs showing extreme performance in their response to infection with Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Principal components analyses were used to identify the two most extreme-performing pigs after infection (i.e., pigs whose measured responses to infection fell at the extremes). Blood samples and expression profiles from 0 to 24 h after infection were compared using a bivariate, mixed-model approach, in which the effect gene x immunological status interaction was treated as a random effect. Bayesian model-based clustering via mixtures of normal distributions of the resulting BLUP of the random interaction was approached and resulted in a list of 307 differentially expressed genes, of which 179 were down-regulated in the susceptible pig. The majority of the differentially expressed genes were derived from a cDNA library of leukocytes of A. pleuropneumoniae-challenged pigs that were subtracted against leukocytes before the challenge. These results provide evidence that the proposed statistical approach was useful in enhancing the knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the genetics of the immune response.     

Hounsfield Unit dynamics of adipose tissue and non-adipose soft tissues in growing pigs

Changes in the Hounsfield Unit value of adipose tissue and of non-adipose soft tissue during growth are poorly documented. This study examines the HU of these tissues in growing pigs. Computer tomography scans were made in nine growing pigs on three occasions, approximately four weeks apart. Average body weight was 51, 94, and 121 kg for each successive scan. Images from the level of the diaphragm to the hips were analyzed. The mean HU and its standard deviation, for adipose tissue and for non-adipose soft tissues was determined for each pig. The mean adipose tissue HU for all pigs was -90, -98 and -101 on the first, middle and last scans, respectively. Corresponding HU values for non-adipose soft tissues were, 52, 51 and 49. There was a significant difference (p<0.01) between HU at each scan time for each set of tissues.     

不同品种猪在不同生理阶段骨骼肌葡萄糖转运体和胰岛素受体表达的发育性变化

本试验旨在研究不同品种猪在不同生理阶段骨骼肌葡萄糖转运载体(GLUT)1、GLUT4和胰岛素受体(IR)mRNA表达的发育规律.试验以1、7、30、60、90和150日龄蓝塘和长白两品种猪背最长肌、半膜肌和半腱肌组织样品cDNA为模板,采用实时荧光半定量PCR的方法,检测猪GLUT1和GLUT4 mRNA在不同骨骼肌中的表达模式.结果显示:1)1～ 150日龄蓝塘和长白猪背最长肌、半膜肌和半腱肌GLUT1 mRNA表达存在相似的发育变化规律,在1日龄时相对表达丰度最高.2)1 ～ 150日龄蓝塘和长白猪半膜肌和半腱肌GLUT4 mRNA相对表达丰度随日龄呈波形式变化,变化速度和程度存在品种差异.1日龄和150日龄时蓝塘猪背最长肌GLUT4mRNA相对表达丰度低于同日龄长白猪(P>0.05),而在其余日龄时高于同日龄长白猪(P>0.05).3)蓝塘和长白猪背最长肌、半膜肌和半腱肌IR mRNA相对表达丰度在1和30日龄时表现出较高水平,而在7、60、90和150日龄时无显著差异(P>0.05);同日龄蓝塘和长白猪之间IR mRNA相对表达丰度无显著性差异(P>0.05).结果表明:猪骨骼肌GLUT1 mRNA的表达在不同生理阶段存在差异,猪骨骼肌GLUT4 mRNA的表达在不同品种和生理阶段存在显著差异,且其与IR mRNA的表达相关性较弱,无明显规律.     

猪甘油三酯水解酶和激素敏感脂酶基因表达规律的研究

利用半定量RT-PCR法分析比较了甘油三酯水解酶(Triacylglycerol hydrolase,TGH)和激素敏感脂酶(Hormone-sensitive lipase,HSL)基因在不同猪种、不同发育阶段及不同部位脂肪组织中转录表达的差异,探讨其在猪脂肪组织的表达规律。结果显示,脂肪型个体TGHmRNA表达丰度显著低于瘦肉型和杂交型个体,成年猪较初生仔猪低,皮下、腹膜和内脏脂肪组织中TGH表达量依次递增;其变化规律与HSL相同。此外,对分离培养的原代前体脂肪细胞通过诱导分化和油红O染色区分分化状态,分析TGHmRNA表达的时序变化,发现TGH在前脂肪细胞中不转录表达,诱导分化后开始表达,且在诱导分化第4天表达量最高,分化第10天表达量下降,达到峰值的时间较HSL早。结果表明,TGH的表达与个体肥胖程度、年龄、脂肪组织部位以及脂肪细胞分化程度相关,同时,在脂肪细胞分化过程中,TGH表达峰值早于HSL,提示TGH在脂肪细胞发育过程中可能较早承担基础脂解作用。     

Molecular cloning, expression and characterization of an interleukin 27 p28 homolog in pig (Sus scrofa)

IL-27 is the newest member of the IL-12 cytokine family and plays an important role in the immune regulation. It is composed of two subunits, p28 and EBV-induced gene 3(EBI3). Although human and mouse IL-27 p28 genes have been cloned, pig IL-27 p28 gene has not ever been reported. In the present study, we have cloned and characterized the full-length cDNA of IL-27 p28 from pig. The open reading frame of pig IL-27 p28 gene is 720 bp, which encodes a protein of 239 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 26.6 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of pig IL-27 p28 showed a high degree of homology to human (63%) and mouse (58%). It was a 4-helix cytokine and belonged to 4-helix cytokine superfamily. Pig IL-27 p28 has one transmembrane region, one signal peptide, and one N-glycosylation site, two Protein kinase C phosphorylation sites, three Casein kinase II phosphorylation sites and one N-myristoylation site. For the expression of pig IL-27 p28 protein in a eukaryotic expression system the recombinant plasmid was constructed. The expression of pig IL-27 p28 in mammalian cells were confirmed by flow cytometry analysis, immunofluorescence and Western blot. The analysis also confirmed a cross reactivity with anti-mouse IL-27 p28 antibody. This is the first report of cloning and characterization of IL-27 p28 in pig.     

Complete cDNA sequences and phylogenetic analyses of the Th1 and Th2 cytokines of the bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus)

The complementary DNAs of the Th1 (IL-2, IL-12p35, and IFN-gamma) and Th2 (IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13) cytokine genes of the bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) were cloned, sequenced, and analyzed. IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12p35, IL-13, and IFN-gamma were found to have 465, 402, 537, 669, 411, and 501 bp length open reading frames with 154, 133, 178, 222, 136, and 166 amino acid encodings, respectively. The homology ranged from 58.8% to 100% between the nucleotide sequences of the camel cytokine genes and the published sequences of other mammalian genes, including the llama, pig, cow, horse, human, and mouse. The cDNA had highest homology with orders Artiodactyla (pigs and cattle) and Perissodactyla (horses), especially to the recently cloned llama sequences.     

猪ApoA5基因cDNA的克隆、序列分析及组织表达研究

旨在克隆猪ApoA5基因cDNA全序列,并对其进行序列分析,研究该基因的组织表达规律.试验以山西马身猪肝脏组织为材料,采用RT-PCR与RACE技术,对猪ApoA5基因的cDNA进行克隆,并对其进行了生物信息学分析.采用荧光定量PCR检测并分析了ApoA5 mRNA在2个猪种(马身猪和大白猪)中多个组织的表达规律.结果表明:猪ApoA5基因cDNA全长1 917 bp,包括1 092 bp的开放阅读框(ORF),24 bp的3'-UTR和801 bp的5'-UTR;编码区(CDS)共编码364个氨基酸,与牛、马、人、犬、猴、兔、褐鼠和小鼠氨基酸序列的同源性分别为81.7％、80.0％、78.3％、77.5％、76.5％、73.6％、67.1％和66.7％;ApoA5 mRNA除了在肺脏和脾脏中未检测到外,在其他8种组织中均有表达,其中在肝脏组织中高丰度表达,在皮下脂肪与背最长肌中中等表达,低量表达于小肠、肾脏、心脏、胰脏和胃,并且在皮下脂肪与背最长肌中ApoA5 mRNA的表达量存在显著的品种差异.猪ApoA5基因在动物进化中比较保守,ApoA5 mRNA的表达量受到组织和品种影响,推测ApoA5基因对脂肪沉积性状有一定的影响.     

Intestinal gene expression in pigs experimentally co-infected with PCV2 and PPV

The objective of the present study was to characterize the local immune reaction in the intestine of pigs experimentally infected with PCV2 and PPV. Archived intestinal material from an experimental study in which pigs were co-infected with a Swedish isolate of PCV2 (S-PCV2) and PPV, or a reference isolate of PCV2 (PCV2-1010) and PPV, were used. The intestinal samples were analysed by qPCR for expression of a number of selected cytokines and the overall gene expression in the intestine was screened by cDNA microarray. Analyses by qPCR showed that pigs infected with PCV2-1010/PPV displayed a significantly increased mRNA expression for IL-6 (p<0.05), IL-10 (p<0.05) and IFN-γ (p<0.05). The microarray screening revealed a strong up-regulation of IFITM3 along with several other interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in pigs infected with PCV2/PPV. The analyses also indicated differences between the two isolates. Fewer pigs infected with S-PCV2/PPV expressed the cytokines detected by qPCR, compared to pigs infected with PCV2-1010/PPV, and pigs infected with S-PCV2/PPV displayed a higher proportion of down-regulated genes than PCV2-1010/PPV-infected pigs.