Immunomodulatory role of cathelicidin-2 in chicken primary hepatocyte - non-parenchymal cell co-cultures

Abstract

Enteric bacterial infections are a serious risk to the welfare of production animals. These infections can be difficult to treat because antibiotic resistance prevention calls for the prudent use of antibiotics. Pathogenic enteric bacteria release harmful toxins that can enter the portal system and reach the liver. Exposure to endotoxins leads to an immune response to fight infection and clear toxins from the body, and this can result in excess inflammation that is detrimental to animal welfare and production.