Enhanced cytokine expression and upregulation of inflammatory signaling pathways in broiler chickens affected by wooden breast myopathy.

Xing, Tong; Luo, Dan; Zhao, Xue; Xu, Xinglian; Li, Jiaolong; Zhang, Lin; Gao, Feng

BACKGROUND Wooden breast (WB) myopathy in broiler chickens is a growing challenge for the poultry industry. Previous multi-omic data have implied that the pathogenesis of WB is associated with the activation of immune system and inflammatory response. However, the intricate mechanisms are not fully understood. This study was therefore conducted to systematically investigate the morphology, expression of cytokines as well as the underlying signaling pathways regulating the inflammatory response in pectoralis major (PM) muscle of WB myopathic broilers. RESULTS Histopathological changes, increased plasma creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activities, elevated myeloperoxidase activity and overproduction of nitric oxide in muscle indicated the enhancement of muscle damage and inflammation in WB broilers. The mRNA expressions of inflammatory cytokines were dysregulated in PM muscle and contents of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α were increased in serum of WB myopathic broilers, indicating this myopathy was associated with immune disorder and systemic inflammation response. Additionally, toll-like receptors (TLRs) levels were upregulated, the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway was activated and the mRNA expression levels of downstream inflammatory mediators were enhanced in PM muscle of WB myopathy affected birds. CONCLUSION The results indicated an immune disorder and a systemic inflammation response in WB myopathic broilers, which might be related to a synergetic effect of TLRs and NF-κB pathway. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.