Spatiotemporal expression of MYD88 gene in pigs from birth to adulthood.

MYD88 plays an important role in the immune response against infections. To analyze MYD88 gene expression during different stages of pig development, we used real-time PCR. MYD88 was seen expressed in all tissues examined. MYD88 expression in spleen, lungs, and thymus reached its highest value from 7 to 14 days of age and decreased thereafter. Expression in lymph nodes was high until 28 days of age and then it declined after weaning, with stable low levels in adult pigs. MYD88 expression was high before 35 days of age in the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum), where it reached its highest value from 7 to 14 days of age. MYD88 expression in the small intestine declined post-weaning and remained relatively low during adulthood. The results of this study suggest that weaning stress and development of the immune system might be positively correlated with MYD88 expression regulation. Moreover, this study provided evidence that the high expression of MYD88 may diminish weaning stress and increase disease resistance in Meishan pigs.

Introduction

Mammalian species have an innate and an acquired immune system. The innate immune system is the first line of defense against pathogens (Zhou ). The toll-like receptor (TLR) family is a group of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that play important roles in sensing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) in innate immunity (Wack and Gallorini, 2008). The TLR family consists of 13 members with different downstream effects. The myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MYD88) is an adaptor protein for TLR signaling, with the exception of TLR3 (Shchebliakov ; Serezani ). MYD88 is a soluble cytoplasmic protein that belongs to both the Toll/IL-1R (TIR) family and the death domain family. The protein contains three functional areas: an N-terminal DD, a middle region, and a C-terminal TIR domain (Naro and Sette, 2016). The MYD88 TIR domain combines the TLRs and the TIR domain of IL-1R, which activates Interleukin-1 Receptor-Associated-Kinase-1/4 (IRAK-1/4) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor-6 (TRAF-6), resulting in the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and the release of pro-inflammatory factors and cellular mediators. The activation of the TLR/MyD88/NF-κB signal pathway leads to lymphocyte activation and increased synthesis of pro-inflammatory proteins (Janssens and Beyaert, 2003; Arancibia ; Gay ; Liu ; Su ), thereby leading to an acquired immune response.

Porcine MYD88, which is located on chromosome 13 and has a coding sequence region consisting of 882 nucleotides, encodes 293 amino acids with 87% to 88% homologies between porcine and human proteins. MYD88 is widely expressed in several tissues, especially in immune and intestinal tissues (Tohno ; Li ). The expression pattern of the gene is related to the immune response triggered by bacterial infections. Porcine MYD88 is a key protein in the TLRs/IL-1R signaling pathway that sends inflammatory signals and enhances the intensity of the inflammatory response. Additionally, MYD88 triggers the release of intestinal inflammatory mediators (Sun ).

The signal transduction pathway mediated by MYD88 is involved in the occurrence and development of several diseases. At present, most studies focus on its immune regulation (Singh ) and pathological mechanisms (Parpaleix ). However, no study has assessed the expression pattern of MYD88. In this study, we used real-time PCR technology to quatify MYD88 expression at eight post-natal developmental stages in twelve tissues of Meishan pigs. Our goal was to provide a theoretical basis for further research on the genetics of MYD88 in pig breeding for disease resistance.

Materials and Methods

Ethics statement

The animal study proposal was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of the Yangzhou University Animal Experiments Ethics Committee (permit number: SYXK [Su] IACUC 2012-0029). All experimental procedures involving piglets were performed in accordance with the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals and approved by the State Council of People's Republic of China.

Materials

Meishan pigs obtained from the Meishan Pigs Conservation Breeding Company (Jiangsu China) were used in this study. All the experimental pigs were maintained under standard piggery conditions. The animals had ad libitum access to a commercial-type compound feed with 21.7% crude protein and no antimicrobial additives or organic acids. We selected one animal from five litters at different developmental stages (newborn, 7-day old, 14-day old, 21-day old, 28-day old, 35-day old, 3-month old, and 6-month old). A total of 40 animals (five animals per group) were used, and the animals at the same developmental stage had similar characteristics (e.g., size and weight). Animals were electrically stunned (300 V for 5 s) and bled by heart puncture under the left armpit. Tissue samples from heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, stomach, muscle, thymus, lymph, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were collected, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80 °C. All the experiments were conducted in the Yangzhou Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of Yangzhou University (Jiangsu, China).

RNA extraction and reverse transcription

Total RNA was extracted from the tissues (50–100 mg) using Trizol reagent (TaKaRa Biotechnology Dalian Co., Ltd, China). Precipitated RNA was suspended in 20 μL RNase-free H2O, diluted to 2 ng/μL, and stored at -80 °C. RNA quality was assessed by formaldehyde denaturing gel electrophoresis. The concentrations and purity of RNA were determined spectrophotometrically (Nanodrop ND-1000, NanoDrop Technologies Co., Ltd, USA).

Total RNA was reverse transcribed into cDNA using a HiScript Q RT SuperMix for qPCR (+gDNA wiper) kit (Vazyme Biotech Co., Ltd, China), which includes a genomic DNA removal module. The reaction mixture (10 μL) for cDNA synthesis consisted of 2 μL 5qRT SuperMix II, 500 ng total RNA, and RNase-free H2O. The reaction was carried out at 25 °C for 10 min, 50 °C for 5 min, 85 °C for 5 min and the products were then stored at 4 °C.

Real-time PCR primer design and quantitative fluorescence PCR

Using Primer Express 2.0, we designed MYD88 primers based on the gene sequence deposited in GenBank. Primers were synthesized by Takara Biotechnology Dalian Co., Ltd. (China). GAPDH and ACTB were used as internal control genes to normalize the threshold cycle (Ct) values of other transcripts. The primer sequences used for amplifications of MYD88, GAPDH, and ACTB are listed in Table 1.

Table 1

Real-time PCR primer sequences.

Gene	Accession No.	Sequence (5′ → 3′)	Length
MYD88	NM_001099923.1	F: 5′-GCTGGAACAGACCAACTAT-3′	153
		R: 5′-TCCTTGCTTTGCAGGTAAT-3′
GAPDH	NM_001206359.1	F:5′-ACATCATCCCTGCTTCTACCGG-3′	188
		R: 5′-CTCGGACGCCTGCTTCAC-3′
ACTB	XM_003124280.3	F: 5′-TGGCGCCCAGCACGATGAAG-3′	149

Real-time PCR amplification was performed using a PCR kit (Vazyme Biotech Co., Ltd, China) in a 25-μL reaction mixture containing 2 μL of cDNA (500 ng), 0.5 μL of the forward and reverse primer (10 μM each), 0.5 μL of 50x ROX Reference Dye II, 10 μL of 2x SYBR Green Realtime PCR Master Mix, and ddH2O. PCR conditions were set at 95 °C for 5 min, followed by 40 cycles of 95 °C for 5 s and 60 °C for 34 s. Dissociation curve analysis was done after amplification. A peak melting temperature (Tm) of 85 ± 0.8 °C in the dissociation curve was used to determine the specificity of the amplification product. The Tm value for each sample was calculated from the average of triplicate technical samples. The 2-ΔΔCt method was used to calculate relative gene expression (Oparina ).

Statistical analysis

Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS 17.0 software (SPSS Inc, USA). The multivariate general linear model (GLM) was used to determine differences in transcript levels among different developmental stages. Data are reported as means ± SD. Significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results

Purity and integrity of total RNA

We assessed RNA quality using denaturing gel electrophoresis and RNA quantity by measuring nucleic acid and protein concentrations. On the gel, we observed three bands, corresponding to 28S, 18S, and 5S. Based on gel electrophoresis results, there was no DNA contamination or significant degradation (data not shown). The A260/A280 ratios of the samples ranged from 1.9 to 2.0.

Quantitative fluorescence PCR amplification and melting curves

The real-time PCR amplification and melting curves for MYD88 were consistent between amplification reactions. A single specific peak for MYD88 with no primer dimers or non-specific reaction products was obtained. The standard curves for MYD88, ACTB, and GAPDH revealed that the amplification efficiencies of the target and reference genes were almost the same; therefore, the 2-ΔΔCt method was used (Figure S1).

MYD88 gene expression in different tissues and development stages

Using the established SYBR green real-time quantitative PCR method, we measured the relative expression levels of MYD88 in different tissues and at different development stages. MYD88 expression levels were normalized to ACTB and GAPDH expression levels, and the expression of MYD88 in the muscle of the 3-month old group was used as reference (calibrator) value (1.0). At all development stages, the average expression levels of MYD88 in the spleen was the highest (Figure 1), while they were extremely low in heart and muscle. Expression was high in immunity-related tissues (liver, lung, kidney, thymus, and lymph nodes) and also digestive tract tissues (stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum). Before weaning, MYD88 expression was lower in the stomach than in the duodenum, jejunum or ileum.

Figure 1

Expression profile of MYD88 in tissues at different developmental stages, determined by the the 2-ΔΔCt method. MYD88 expression in the muscle of the 3-month-old group was set at 1.0. 1, heart; 2, liver; 3, spleen; 4, lung; 5, kidney; 6, stomach; 7, muscle; 8, thymus; 9, lymph nodes; 10, duodenum; 11, jejunum; 12, ileum.

Analysis of MYD88 expression at different development stages in the same tissue

We analyzed MYD88 expression in 10 tissues (excluding heart and muscle, which had extremely low MYD88 expression levels during all development stages). Different tissues had different expression patterns during development (Figure 2). The expression of MYD88 in the spleen, lung, and thymus was highest in 7-day old and 14-day old pigs and decreased in adulthood. Expression of this gene in lymph nodes was maintained at a high level, but declined from 28 days of age onwards. There was no significant difference in MYD88 expression in the liver, kidney, and stomach during development. Expression of MYD88 in intestinal tissues (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) was high before 35 days (i.e., at weaning), with a peak from 7 to 14 days and decreasing post weaning. During adulthood the level was maintained low.

Figure 2

MYD88 expression levels in each tissue of pigs at days (d.) 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35, and at months (m.) 3 and 5 *P < 0.05; **P < 0.01.

Discussion

MYD88, an important transduction protein in myeloid cell differentiation, plays a vital role in the TLR signaling pathway. The TLR signaling pathway transfers signals via MYD88-dependent and MYD88-independent pathways. The MYD88-dependent pathway is the most important signal transduction pathway of TLRs (Serezani ). Studies have shown that MYD88 is indispensable for the downstream signal transduction of several TLRs. Specifically, the protein interacts with IRAK-4 (IL-1R-associated kinase-4), which subsequently activates other IRAK family members such as IRAK-1 and IRAK-2. This promotes the transfer of NF-κB into the nucleus and the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes (Kawagoe ; Takeuchi and Akira, 2010). Kader investigated the role of MYD88 using MYD88 knockout mice and found that MYD88 plays a protective role in ehrlichiosis via the suppression of IL-10 and IL-17. Frantz using MYD88 knocked out mice enterocytes, found an increase in the number of intestinal mucus-associated bacteria and a decrease in the expression of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (epithelial transport receptor of IgA) and mucin 2 (the main protein of intestinal mucus). In addition, the composition of the intestinal flora was significantly different between the enterocyte of MYD88-knockout mice and the wild-type mice, decreasing resistance to acute colitis in knockout mice. These results showed that the MYD88 signal might be essential for the homeostasis of the intestinal tract. Therefore, MYD88 plays an important role in the immune response and defense system.

In this study, the analysis of the MYD88 expression profile revealed that MYD88 was expressed in all 12 tissues from Meishan pigs. The expression patterns changed over time, in agreement with Qiang (2008). MYD88 expression was highest in spleen and higher in other immune tissues (liver, lung, kidney, thymus, and lymph nodes) and digestive tissues (stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) than in heart and muscle. MYD88 is mainly expressed in T cells, B cells, NK cell lines, dendritic cell lines, thymus cell lines, and other immune cells, indicating that it may play an important role in immune responses (Hardiman ). Nishiya observed that MYD88 is located in the cytoplasm and is not secreted. The authors hypothesized that the body wide expression of MYD88 may be associated with the transduction of TLR signaling pathways. This may be the reason why MYD88 showed a high expression level in most tissue samples from Meishan pigs, and hence we infer that the highest expression level of MYD88 found in spleen may be related with the important function of spleen in innate and adaptive immunity.

Most studies on MYD88 transcription were performed in humans and mice; few were done in livestock. Furthermore, there are no reports on the expression of MYD88 in pigs in different developmental stages. This study analyzed the expression of MYD88 in different tissues and at different developmental stages using real-time PCR. Piglets gain immune protection in two ways: passive immunization through sow milk and active immunization via their developing immune system (Salmon ; Levast ). Newborn piglets obtain specific antibodies from the sow colostrum, which can protect against infections (Ogawa ). However, maternal antibodies acquired from sow milk cannot be maintained over time (Levast ). After weaning, piglets experience psychological and physiological stress from being separated from the sow and leaving the familiar environment. The piglets may have problems adapting to the new environment, leading to conditional diarrhea.

The development of the digestive system is stimulated by early supplement feeding of 5 to 7-day old piglets (Wang ). In this study, the expression of MYD88 increased in spleen, duodenum, and jejunum from birth to 7 days of age, which coincided with the feeding period. Expression of MYD88 was significantly increased in the lung and thymus from 7 to 14 days of age. The small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) has the highest absorptive ability (Caspary, 1992). Direct stimulation of the intestine may explain the increased expression in MYD88 in the duodenum and jejunum after feeding. As the piglets aged, the expression level of MYD88 in duodenum, jejunum and ileum showed a decreasing trend. Recent studies have shown that different parts of the intestine contain different microflora (Kelly ). Furthermore, the bacteria and function of the intestinal microflora may affect the level of inflammatory cytokines secreted by immune cells (Schirmer ). Therefore, the distribution of the microbial flora may affect the expression of MYD88 and account for the discrepancies in MYD88 expression patterns among the three intestinal sections.

Both the spleen and thymus are important immune organs. Expression of MYD88 was significantly higher in the spleen than in the thymus, suggesting that the spleen may react more quickly in response to external stimuli compared to the thymus. The lung is a connective site between the organism and the environment and it is potentially susceptible to harmful substances and pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, MYD88 expression significantly increased in the lung. The expression of MYD88 was maintained at a relatively high level during early post-natal development, but decreased significantly in the heart, lung, lymph, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum from 35 days to 3 months of age and stabilized after sexual maturity. These results suggest that the high expression of MYD88 during weaning probably enhanced the non-specific immune response and inflammatory response in piglets. As the immune system in Meishan pigs matures, the MYD88 expression gradually decreases to a stable level.

This study explored the differences of MYD88 expression in Meishan pigs at different development stages. We speculate that weaning stress and immune system development are the main reasons for the differences found. The high expression of MYD88 may be beneficial for improving disease resistance in Meishan pigs. Future studies should examine the molecular mechanisms of MYD88 regulation and develop breeding strategies for disease resistant Chinese pigs.