Selenium deficiency caused hepatitis in chickens via the miR-138-5p/SelM/ROS/Ca2+ overload pathway induced by

Xinyue Sun1, Wenyue Zhang1, Xu Shi1

  • 1College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P. R. China. shiwenxu@neau.edu.cn.

Food & Function
|September 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Selenium deficiency causes chicken hepatitis by increasing miR-138-5p, which targets Selenoprotein M (SelM). This leads to oxidative stress, necroptosis, and liver inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Animal Science

Background:

  • Selenoprotein M (SelM) is an endoplasmic reticulum enzyme linked to liver damage.
  • The mechanism of SelM deficiency-induced hepatitis and the role of miR-138-5p in chickens remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of miR-138-5p/SelM axis in chicken liver inflammation caused by selenium deficiency.
  • To elucidate the biological mechanisms underlying SelM deficiency-induced hepatitis in chickens.

Main Methods:

  • Established in vivo chicken liver selenium deficiency model and in vitro LMH cell models for miR-138-5p and SelM manipulation.
  • Utilized transmission electron microscopy, H&E staining, Fluo4-AM/ER staining, and flow cytometry to assess cellular and tissue changes.
  • Measured oxidative stress markers, calcium ion levels, energy metabolism, and necroptosis indicators.

Main Results:

  • Selenium deficiency in chickens led to liver inflammation, increased miR-138-5p, and decreased SelM expression.
  • Observed oxidative stress, Ca2+ overload, energy metabolism disorder, and necroptosis in chicken liver tissue.
  • Overexpression of miR-138-5p or knockdown of SelM in LMH cells induced similar pathological changes, which were ameliorated by ROS scavengers and Ca2+ inhibitors.

Conclusions:

  • Selenium deficiency induces hepatitis in chickens by upregulating miR-138-5p, which targets and downregulates SelM.
  • This pathway triggers oxidative stress, Ca2+ overload, energy metabolism disruption, and necroptosis, ultimately causing liver inflammation.
  • Findings provide insights into SelM's biological functions and the pathogenesis of SelM deficiency-related liver disease in poultry.