Genome-wide transcriptional profiling and functional analysis of long noncoding RNAs and mRNAs in chicken macrophages associated with the infection of avian pathogenic E. coli.

BACKGROUND: Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) can cause localized or systemic infections, collectively known as avian colibacillosis, resulting in huge economic losses to poultry industry globally per year. In addition, increasing evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a critical role in regulating host inflammation in response to bacterial infection. However, the role of lncRNAs in the host response to APEC infection remains unclear. RESULTS: Here, we found 816 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and 1,798 DE mRNAs in APEC infected chicken macrophages by RNAseq. The identified DE lncRNA-mRNAs were involved in Toll like receptor signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, fatty acid metabolism, phosphatidylinositol signaling system, and other types of O-glycan biosynthesis. Furthermore, we found the novel lncRNA TCONS_00007391 as an important immune regulator in APEC infection was able to regulate the inflammatory response by directly targeting CD86. CONCLUSION: These findings provided a better understanding of host response to APEC infection and also offered the potential drug targets for therapy development against APEC infection.

Solid lipid nanoparticles for phytosterols delivery: The acyl chain number of the glyceride matrix affects the arrangement, stability, and release.

The lipid matrix plays a key role in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) embedding active ingredients. To investigate the influence of lipid matrix structure on arrangement, release, and stability of solid lipid nanoparticles, three phytosterols formulations with different carrier glycerides [glycerol monostearate (GMS), glycerol distearate (GDS), and glycerol tristearate (GTS)] were prepared and evaluated. X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry revealed the lowest crystallinity of phytosterols in the GMS matrix, corresponding to the maximum bioaccessibility (40.2%) in vitro experiments. Sustained release and better stability were observed from GDS and GTS matrices, which could be attributed to strong molecular interactions or a core-rich structure inside the nanoparticles. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that the affinity between phytosterols and glycerides decreased in the order GDS > GTS > GMS, as well as explaining the release and storage capacities of the three nanoparticles. This study would facilitate the rational design of SLNs in functional foods.