Abstract:

【Objective】 The objective of this study was to explore expressions of IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 mRNAs, IL-2RmRNA and IL-6RmRNA in spleen and regulation of cytokines by P38MAPK－NF-?B in pigs during truck transportation. 【Method】 Nineteen pigs were randomly divided into 4 groups for 0 h, 1 h, 2 h and 4 h transportaion when mean live weight was approximately (50±2) kg (mean ± standard deviation; SD). At the end of the transportation trial, the spleen was removed and frozen in liquid nitrogen. SYBR Green I-based one-step real-time quantitative RT-PCR amplification was performed in quantitation of the three cytokines, IL-2RmRNA and IL-6RmRNA. P38MAPK in the homogenization sample of spleen was measured with homologous specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The distribution of NF-?B in the spleen was examined using confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). 【Result】 After 1 h, 2 h and 4 h of transportation, the expression level of IL-6, IL-10 and IL-6RmRNAs in spleen were significantly changed compared with the control group during transportation stress. NF-?B in the spleen has a sharp rise at 1 h, followed by a slight decline, rise again at 4 h and higher than the other three groups. The rates of NF-?B entry nuclear showed a similar trend, but there was no significant change with respect to P38MAPK. 【Conclusion】 The IL-6mRNA, IL-10mRNA and the expression of IL-6RmRNA could be significantly changed by transportation stress and were also related to the time of post-stress in pigs. Correlation analysis showed that the spleen is an important regulator of IL-6 levels among the detected three kinds of cytokines during transportation stress. Combination of expression and regulation of cytokine signaling mechanism shows that the activation of NF-?B in the spleen may be play an important role in the peripheral immune-related cytokines change in transport-stressed pigs.

Key words: pigs, transportation stress, immune function, P38MAPK, NF-κB