Abstract
Background: NLRP3 is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that is encoded in the NLRP3 gene. This protein is profoundly expressed in macrophage and other innate immune system cells to render the inactive precursors of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, the IL-1β and the IL-18, into active forms. This cytokine may trigger many inflammatory responses and cell signaling pathways as well. Little is known about this cytokine in chicken, especially its role in vaccines or induced-immune responses.
Aim: In this article, we sought to determine the presence of this gene mRNA in selected organs of male and female commercial egg-type brown leghorn chicken. Also, we sought to determine this gene potential expression in these organs upon stimulation.
Methods: We tested the levels and the time course of this cytokine expression after stimulation with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 12hrs, 24hrs, and 48hrs post-inoculation (pi). One-hundred twenty, day-old males and females egg-type brown leghorn chickens were used for the study.
Results: Our results showed that the gene mRNA is actually present in chickens solely. Also, there were no significant differences in the density of the expression and the distribution of the expression of the NLRP3 between chicken male and female and among different organs. Upon stimulation with LPS administration, however, there were marked elevation in the gene expression rate in small intestine, large intestine, gizzard, liver and lung 12hrs pi. This elevation subsided 24hrs pi. However, the significance of expression was only recorded in the small intestine and gizzard. This elevation in expression has subsided and almost returned to normal within these organs 48hrs pi.
Conclusion: The results suggested that the course of the immune response showed dominance in the NLRP3 mRNA expression in the small intestine. Similarly but less profoundly, the large intestine expressed NLRP3 mRNA 12 and 24 hrs pi with LPS. Gizzard, however, was with less mRNA expression.

Key words: Chickens, NLRP3, gene expression, Pro-inflammatory cytokine