Changes of IgA+ cells and cytokines in the cecal tonsil of broilers fed on diets supplemented with vanadium

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2012 Jun;147(1-3):149-55. doi: 10.1007/s12011-012-9330-z. Epub 2012 Jan 20.

Abstract

The cecal tonsil of broiler is known as a secondary lymphoid tissue, which is involved in antigen-specific humoral immune responses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary vanadium on the tissue distribution and quantity of immunoglobulin A-positive (IgA(+)) cell in the cecal tonsil by immunohistochemistry. Simultaneously, the changes in interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) contents in the cecal tonsil were also quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 420 one-day-old avian broilers were divided into six groups and fed on a corn-soybean basal diet (control diet) or the same diet supplemented respectively with 5, 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg/kg of vanadium in the form of ammonium metavanadate for 42 days. The results showed that the population of the IgA(+) cells in the cecal tonsil were significantly lower (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) in the 45 and 60 mg/kg groups than that in the control group. Meanwhile, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF-α contents in the cecal tonsil were significantly decreased (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) in the 30, 45 and 60 mg/kg groups in comparison with those of the control group. However, IL-6 content in the cecal tonsil was only decreased (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01) in 60 mg/kg at 14 and 28 days of age. In conclusion, dietary vanadium in excess of 30 mg/kg reduced the numbers of the IgA(+) cells and changed the contents of the abovementioned cytokines in the cecal tonsil, which may finally impact the function of local mucosal humoral immunity in broilers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animal Feed
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Cecum / drug effects*
  • Cecum / immunology
  • Cecum / metabolism
  • Chickens
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Diet / veterinary
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Immunity, Mucosal / drug effects
  • Immunity, Mucosal / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin A / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin A / metabolism
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Vanadates / administration & dosage
  • Vanadates / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Interleukin-6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interleukin-10
  • Vanadates
  • Interferon-gamma
  • ammonium metavanadate