Exploring the Mechanism of Luteolin in Protecting Chickens from Ammonia Poisoning Based on Proteomic Technology

TL;DR

This study uses proteomics to show how luteolin protects chicken lymphocytes from ammonia damage by modulating immune-related signaling pathways.

Contribution

The paper identifies specific proteins and pathways modulated by luteolin in ammonia-stressed chicken lymphocytes using 4D-FastDIA proteomics.

Findings

Luteolin counter-regulates 27 out of 30 shared differentially expressed proteins under ammonia stress.

DEPs are enriched in immune response pathways like JAK-STAT and cytokine receptor interaction.

qRT-PCR confirms downregulation of IFNAR2 and STAT1 mRNA, aligning with proteomic results.

Abstract

Background: Ammonia (NH3), a harmful gas, reduces livestock productivity, threatens their health, and causes economic losses. Luteolin (Lut), an anti-inflammatory flavonoid, may counteract these effects. Methods: Our study explored luteolin’s protective mechanisms on chicken splenic lymphocytes under ammonia stress using a simulation model and four-dimensional fast data-independent acquisition (4D-FastDIA) proteomics. We identified 316 proteins, with 69 related to ammonia’s negative effects and 247 to Lut’s protection. Thirty differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were common to both groups, with 27 showing counter-regulation with Lut. Results: Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed DEPs enriched in molecular responses to interferons and the negative regulation of immune responses, mainly located extracellularly. Molecular function analysis revealed DEPs in antigen binding and synthase activity. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis linked DEPs to pathways like estrogen signaling, NOD-like receptor signaling, cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, and JAK-STAT signaling. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results indicated that the mRNA levels of Interferon Alpha and Beta Receptor subunit 2 (IFNAR2) and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1) were trending downward. This observation was in strong agreement with the downregulation noted in the proteomics analysis. Conclusions: Lut’s protective role against ammonia’s adverse effects on chicken splenic lymphocytes is linked to the modulation of key signaling pathways, offering insights for further research on treating ammonia exposure with Lut.

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