Differential mRNA expression of antimicrobial peptides β-defensins in Indian native chickens and White Leghorn

Avian β-defensins are antimicrobial peptides that play a crucial role in the innate immune response in chickens. Apart from their antimicrobial activity by non-oxidative mechanisms, recent evidences revealed their immune-modulatory function also, thus acting as a link between innate and adaptive immune responses. The present investigation provides a comparative quantification of constitutive expression of mRNA of AvBD (1–14) genes in Indian native chicken breeds (Aseel and Kadaknath) and White Leghorn. Real-time PCR analysis revealed the measurable mRNA expressions for all 1–14AvBD genes in the spleen of both native chickens and White Leghorn. Significant differences were found for AvBD5, 12 and 14 gene expressions among the three breeds. However, no significant difference was found for AvBD1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9,10,11,13 and 14 gene expressions among the chicken breeds investigated. AvBD5 expression was significantly (P<0.05) higher in Kadaknath, whereas AvBD12 and 14 mRNA expression levels were significantly (P<0.05) higher in Aseel in comparison to other two breeds. This differential expression may confer more innate immunity to native chicken breeds to encounter pathogens more efficiently.