RNA-seq analysis of small intestine transcriptional changes induced by starvation stress in piglets

Piglets may experience a variety of stress injuries, but the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying these injuries are not well understood. In this study, we analysed the ileum of Large White (LW) and Mashen (MS) piglets at different times of starvation using chemical staining and transcriptome analysis. The intestinal barrier of piglets was damaged after starvation stress, but the intestinal antistress ability of MS piglets was stronger than LW piglets. A total of 8021 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in two breeds. Interestingly, the immune capacity (<i>CHUK</i>, <i>TLR3</i>) of MS piglets increased significantly after short-term starvation stress, while energy metabolism (<i>NAGS</i>, <i>PLA2G12B</i>, <i>AGCG8</i>) was predominant in LW piglets. After long-term starvation stress, the level of energy metabolism (<i>PLIN5</i>, <i>PLA2G12B</i>) was significantly increased in MS piglets. The expression of immune (<i>HLA-DQB1</i>, <i>IGHG4</i>, <i>COL3A1</i>, <i>CD28</i>, <i>LAT</i>) and disease (<i>HSPA1B</i>, <i>MINPPI</i>, <i>ADH1C</i>, <i>GAL3ST1</i>) related genes were significantly increased in two breeds of piglets. These results suggest that short-term stress mainly enhances immunity and energy metabolism in piglets, while long-term starvation produces greater stress on piglets, making it difficult for them to compensate for the damage to their bodies through self-regulation. This information can help improve the stress resistance of piglets through molecular breeding.

仔猪可能遭遇多种应激损伤，但其背后的分子调控机制尚未得到充分解析。本研究采用化学染色与转录组分析手段，对经不同时长饥饿处理的大白猪（Large White, LW）与马身猪（Mashen, MS）仔猪的回肠组织进行了分析。饥饿应激可破坏仔猪肠道屏障，但马身猪仔猪的肠道抗应激能力显著强于大白猪仔猪。本研究在两个猪品种中共鉴定出8021个差异表达基因（differentially expressed genes, DEGs）。有趣的是，短期饥饿应激后，马身猪仔猪的免疫相关基因<i>CHUK</i>、<i>TLR3</i>的表达水平显著上调，而大白猪仔猪则以能量代谢相关基因<i>NAGS</i>、<i>PLA2G12B</i>、<i>AGCG8</i>的表达占主导。长期饥饿应激后，马身猪仔猪的能量代谢相关基因<i>PLIN5</i>、<i>PLA2G12B</i>的表达水平显著升高。两个品种仔猪的免疫相关基因<i>HLA-DQB1</i>、<i>IGHG4</i>、<i>COL3A1</i>、<i>CD28</i>、<i>LAT</i>与疾病相关基因<i>HSPA1B</i>、<i>MINPPI</i>、<i>ADH1C</i>、<i>GAL3ST1</i>的表达量均显著上调。上述结果表明，短期应激主要增强仔猪的免疫功能与能量代谢，而长期饥饿会对仔猪造成更为严重的应激，使其难以通过自身调控代偿机体损伤。该研究可为通过分子育种提升仔猪抗应激能力提供理论依据。