The gut microbiota of poultry and its effects on immunity and metabolism need to be better understood
An interesting new study using conventional and germ-free chickens to explores the influence of the gut microbiota on transcriptomic and metabolic signatures along the gut-lung axis in poultry.
The results demonstrate a differential regulation of certain metabolites and genes associated with innate immunity and metabolism in peripheral tissues of germ-free birds. Furthermore, we evidenced the gut microbiota's capacity to regulate mucosal immunity in the chicken lung during avian influenza virus infection.
Finally, by fine-analysing the antiviral pathways triggered by the short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate in chicken respiratory epithelial cells, we found that it regulates interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), notably OASL, via the transcription factor Sp1. These findings emphasize the pivotal role of the gut microbiota and its metabolites in shaping homeostasis and immunity in poultry, offering crucial insights into the mechanisms governing the gut-lung axis dialogue in birds.