Dual RNA-seq transcriptome analysis of caecal tissue during primary Eimeria tenella infection in chickens

Abstract

Background Coccidiosis is an infectious disease with large negative impact on the poultry industry worldwide. It is an enteric infection caused by unicellular Apicomplexan parasites of the genus Eimeria. The present study aimed to gain more knowledge about interactions between parasites and the host immune system during the early asexual replication phase of E. tenella in chicken caeca. For this purpose, chickens were experimentally infected with E. tenella oocysts, sacrificed on days 1–4 and 10 after infection and mRNA from caecal tissues was extracted and sequenced. Results Dual RNA-seq analysis revealed time-dependent changes in both host and parasite gene expression during the course of the infection. Chicken immune activation was detected from day 3 and onwards with the highest number of differentially expressed immune genes recorded on day 10. Among early (days 3–4) responses up-regulation of genes for matrix metalloproteinases, several chemokines, interferon (IFN)-γ along with IFN-stimulated genes GBP, IRF1 and RSAD2 were noted. Increased expression of genes with immune suppressive/regulatory effects, e.g. IL10, SOCS1, SOCS3, was also observed among early responses. For E. tenella a general up-regulation of genes involved in protein expression and energy metabolism as well as a general down-regulation genes for DNA and RNA processing were observed during the infection. Specific E. tenella genes with altered expression during the experiment include those for proteins in rhoptry and microneme organelles. Conclusions The present study provides novel information on both the transcriptional activity of E. tenella during schizogony in ceacal tissue and of the local host responses to parasite invasion during this phase of infection. Results indicate a role for IFN-γ and IFN-stimulated genes in the innate defence against Eimeria replication.

Transcriptomic, 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid and network pharmacology analyses shed light on the anticoccidial mechanism of green tea polyphenols against Eimeria tenella infection in Wuliangshan black-boned chickens

“…MMPs are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that play important roles in physiological processes and pathological conditions, and are involved in the degradation of various proteins in the extracellular matrix [ 41 ]. In this study, several MMP genes, including MMP1 , MMP7 , MMP9 , MMP10 and MMP27 , were upregulated post E. tenella infection, which is consistent with a previous report [ 42 ]. MMPs, which are associated with processes of tissue remodeling, are also expressed in other protozoan parasitic infections, such as with Plasmodium , Trypanosoma brucei , Leishmania and Toxoplasma gondii [ 43 ].…”

Transcriptional changes in LMH cells induced by Eimeria tenella rhoptry kinase family protein 17

“…E. tenella was reported to manipulate many signaling pathways of host cells ( 21 , 22 ). To date, however, the roles of E. tenella proteins in host-parasite interactions remain incompletely understood.…”

Botanicals: A promising approach for controlling cecal coccidiosis in poultry

“…Eimeria releases sporozoites. These sporozoites invade the bird's cecum and penetrate the cecal epithelium ( 17 , 123 – 126 ). These sporozoites enter epithelial cells and undergo asexual division named merogony/schizogony, resulting in the formation of schizonts inside the cell ( 127 ).…”