Broiler chick thrombocyte response to lipopolysaccharide.

The effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and IL-12 in broiler chick thrombocytes was investigated. At 4 wk of age, blood samples were collected, and isolated thrombocytes were incubated with LPS for 1 h. Ribonucleic acid was extracted from the cells to examine the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines using real-time reverse transcription PCR. It was found that expressions of IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-12 in thrombocytes were unaffected by diets containing corticosterone and vitamin C fed to chicks. However, LPS exposure did increase the expressions of these cytokines. The fact that thrombocytes are so abundant and can be stimulated by LPS makes them primary effector cells in innate host defenses against bacterial infections in chickens.