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Fine Particulate Matter Perturbs the Pulmonary Microbiota in Broiler Chickens
Ying Zhou1, Bin Xu1, Linyi Wang1
1Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Henan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou 450002, China.
Abstract:
(1) Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) seriously affects the respiratory tract health of both animals and humans. Growing evidence indicates that the pulmonary microbiota is involved in the development of respiratory tract health; however, there is still much that is unknown about the specific changes of pulmonary microbiota caused by PM2.5 in broilers. (2) In this experiment, a total of 48 broilers were randomly divided into a control group and PM-exposure group. The experiment lasted for 21 days. Microbiota, inflammation biomarkers, and histological markers in the lungs were determined. (3) On the last day of the experiment, PM significantly disrupted the structure of lung tissue and induced chronic pulmonary inflammation by increasing IL-6, TNFα, and IFNγ expression and decreasing IL-10 expression. PM exposure significantly altered the α and β diversity of pulmonary microbiota. At the phylum level, PM exposure significantly decreased the Firmicutes abundance and increased the abundance of Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. At the genus level, PM exposure significantly increased the abundance of Rhodococcus, Achromobacter, Pseudomonas, and Ochrobactrum. We also observed positive associations of the above altered genera with lung TNFα and IFNγ expression. (4) The results suggest that PM perturbs the pulmonary microbiota and induces chronic inflammation, and the pulmonary microbiota possibly contributes to the development of lung inflammation.
Insights
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure alters broiler lung microbiota and induces inflammation. These changes in pulmonary microbiota may contribute to the development of lung inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Microbiology
- Veterinary Science
Background:
- Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) negatively impacts respiratory health in animals and humans.
- The pulmonary microbiota's role in respiratory health is increasingly recognized, but PM2.5-specific effects remain unclear, especially in broilers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of PM2.5 exposure on the pulmonary microbiota composition in broilers.
- To assess the relationship between PM2.5-induced lung inflammation and alterations in the pulmonary microbiota.
Main Methods:
- 48 broilers were divided into control and PM-exposed groups for 21 days.
- Analysis included lung tissue histology, inflammation biomarkers (IL-6, TNFα, IFNγ, IL-10), and pulmonary microbiota sequencing.
Main Results:
- PM2.5 exposure disrupted lung tissue structure and induced chronic inflammation, marked by increased IL-6, TNFα, IFNγ and decreased IL-10.
- Significant alterations in pulmonary microbiota diversity (alpha and beta) were observed.
- PM2.5 exposure decreased *Firmicutes* and increased *Actinobacteria* and *Proteobacteria* at the phylum level, and increased genera like *Rhodococcus*, *Achromobacter*, *Pseudomonas*, and *Ochrobactrum*.
Conclusions:
- PM2.5 exposure perturbs the pulmonary microbiota in broilers, leading to chronic lung inflammation.
- The altered pulmonary microbiota composition is associated with inflammatory markers and may play a role in PM2.5-induced lung disease development.
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