Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals PERP upregulated during Salmonella Enteritidis challenge in laying ducks

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Molecular Biology
• Food Safety

Background:

• Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) transmission to eggs via ovaries poses a food safety risk.
• The ovarian transmission route of SE remains poorly understood.
• Understanding duck ovarian immunity is crucial for preventing SE contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the mechanism of transovarian transmission of Salmonella Enteritidis in ducks.
• To investigate the role of specific immune genes and pathways in duck ovarian response to SE.
• To identify key molecular players in the ovarian immune niche during SE challenge.

Main Methods:

• Ducks were orally inoculated with SE.
• Ovarian tissues (follicles and stroma) were collected for SE detection and immune gene analysis.
• RNA sequencing was performed on susceptible and resistant laying ducks; key gene expressions were analyzed in granulosa cells (dGCs).

Main Results:

• SE challenge upregulated innate and adaptive immune genes (TLR4, NOD1, AvβD7, IL-1β).
• 23 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between susceptible and resistant ducks, predominantly in the p53 signaling pathway.
• PERP gene overexpression enhanced apoptosis, SE adhesion, and invasion in SE-infected dGCs, implicating it in the ovarian immune response.

Conclusions:

• Duck PERP is involved in the ovarian immune response to SE through the p53 signaling pathway in granulosa cells.
• PERP influences key processes like cell apoptosis, SE adhesion, and invasion within the ovarian niche.
• Findings contribute to understanding SE transovarian transmission and developing mitigation strategies.