Systems biology approach to identify clusters of genes associated with the pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines abundance in the liver and skeletal muscle of pigs

Author(s)

Fernanda Nery Ciconello

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2024-02-16

Examining board members

Aline Silva Mello Cesar; Júlio César de Carvalho Balieiro; Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa

• Advisor: Aline Silva Mello Cesar

Abstract

Pigs are used as animal models for studies in nutritional health, providing valuable insights into metabolic diseases and immune responses. Research involving different sources of fatty acids (FAs) in their diets highlights the role of these nutrients in the metabolic and immune systems of these animals. FAs are classified based on the number and position of double bonds in their chain, being divided into saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), and polyunsaturated (PUFA). MUFA and PUFA have less pro-inflammatory effects than SFA. Recent studies have investigated the effects of diets containing canola oil (CO), soybean oil (SO), and fish oil (FO) in pigs. The results showed that CO, rich in MUFA, decreased inflammatory cytokine levels, while SO, rich in PUFA, reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). FO also showed a reduction in TNF-alpha levels. The study aimed to evaluate gene expression and cytokine levels in different tissues using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), RNA-Seq, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Pigs were fed diets containing 3% of each type of oil for 98 days. The results indicated differences in gene expression and cytokine levels among tissues and diets, with a high amount of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and a lower amount of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the liver with CO, and a lower amount of TNF-alpha in skeletal muscle with CO compared to SO and FO. Gene co-expression network analysis identified genes relevant to immune and metabolic processes. These results provide important insights into the effects of FAs on the health of pigs and humans, contributing to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in metabolic diseases and immune responses associated with fatty acids. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/10394-2 - Effect of diet with different sources of acids fat on the abundance and gene expression of cytokines in a model animal
• Grantee: Fernanda Nery Ciconello
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master