Soybean β-conglycinin Induces Intestinal Immune Responses in Chicks

ABSTRACT β-conglycinin from soybean has been recognized as one of the major feed allergens. This study investigated the effects of β-conglycinin-induced allergic sensitization on chicks’ small intestines. A total of 40 7-day-old (100 g) chicks were divided into four groups as control, β-conglycinin 1 h, β-conglycinin 6 h, and β-conglycinin 12 h. All treatment groups were administered 60 mg of β-conglycinin/chick and small intestine samples were collected. β-conglycinin-induced allergic sensitization marginally damages the epithelium lining of the duodenum villi and, in addition, significantly increases the accumulation of mast cells in the lamina propria and crypt of the duodenum. Moreover, the TNF-α level significantly increased in all β-conglycinin groups. IL-8 and IL-2 were significantly downregulated in the 1 h group; however, there were increases for the 6 h and 12 h groups. These results suggest that β-conglycinin may lead to an inflammatory response in the chicks’ small intestines.

摘要：大豆来源的β-伴大豆球蛋白（β-conglycinin）已被认定为主要饲料过敏原之一。本研究探讨了β-伴大豆球蛋白诱导的过敏性致敏对雏鸡小肠的影响。共计40只7日龄、体重100g的雏鸡被分为四组：对照组、β-伴大豆球蛋白1h组、β-伴大豆球蛋白6h组及β-伴大豆球蛋白12h组。所有处理组雏鸡均接受60mg/只的β-伴大豆球蛋白给药，随后采集小肠样本。研究结果显示，β-伴大豆球蛋白诱导的过敏性致敏会轻度损伤十二指肠绒毛上皮层；此外，还可显著增加十二指肠固有层及隐窝部位的肥大细胞聚集量。进一步检测发现，所有β-伴大豆球蛋白处理组的肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）水平均显著升高。白细胞介素-8（IL-8）与白细胞介素-2（IL-2）在1h组中显著下调，但在6h组与12h组中则呈现上升趋势。上述结果表明，β-伴大豆球蛋白可能会引发雏鸡小肠的炎症反应。