Gene expression responses to Riemerella anatipestifer infection in the liver of ducks.

Abstract

Riemerella anatipestifer is one of the most economically important pathogens of farm ducks worldwide. The molecular mechanisms that underlie its pathogenesis, particularly the host response to R. anatipestifer infection, are poorly understood. The differentially expressed gene profile of duck livers at 24 h following R. anatipestifer infection was therefore investigated using suppression subtractive hybridizaton analysis. A total of 45 differentially expressed genes were identified, which primarily included genes for proteins involved in acute-phase response, inflammatory response, immune response, wound healing and iron homeostasis. For the expression level of 20 genes from those 45 analysed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction at 8, 24 and 48 h post infection, significant differences were observed among the three time points of measurements. The result from this study revealed a gene expression profile of duck liver during R. anatipestifer infection, and those genes with a role in the immune response and wound healing deserving further investigation to elucidate their respective roles during infection.