The aim of this study was to explore the impacts of heat stress (HS) on expressions of
selenoprotein genes in IPEC-J2 cells. Cells were cultured with 5 % CO2-humidified chamber at 37 °C until the cells grew to complete confluence and then exposed to a mild
hyperthermia at 41.5 °C (HS) or 37 °C (control) for another 24 h, finally harvested for total
RNA or
protein extraction. Real-time quantitative PCRs (qPCRs) were performed to compare gene expression of 25
selenoprotein genes, 3 tight junction-related genes, and 10
inflammation-related genes.
Protein expressions of
heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and
selenoprotein X and P (SelX and
SelP) were also investigated by Western blot. The results showed that HS up-regulated (P < 0.05) Hsp70 and one tight junction-related gene [zonula occludens-1 (Zo-1)] in IPEC-J2 cells. At the same time, HS up-regulated (P < 0.05) 4
selenoprotein genes (Gpx3, Dio2, Selk, Sels) and three
inflammation-related genes (Il-6, Icam-1, Tgf-β) and down-regulated (P < 0.05 or as indicated) six
selenoprotein genes (Gpx2, Gpx6, Txnrd1, Selh, Selm, Selx) and three
inflammation-related genes (Ifn-β, Mcp-1, Tnf-α) in the cells. HS also exhibited impacts on
protein expressions, which up-regulated Hsp70, down-regulated SelX, and showed no effect on
SelP in IPEC-J2 cells. Our results showed that HS affected the expression of
inflammation-related genes and up-regulated gene and
protein expressions of Hsp70. The changes of so many
selenoprotein genes expression implied a potential link between
selenoprotein genes and HS. Moreover, the results provided by this IPEC-J2 model may be used to further study the interactive mechanisms between
selenoprotein function and potential intestinal damage induced by HS.