Characterization of duck IκB kinase β involved in innate immunity. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Yaqian; Ma, Lei; Rao, Zaixiao; Zhou, Peng; Zheng, Huijun; Luo, Rui
• Is Part Of: Developmental and comparative immunology. Volume 125(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: IKKβ -- Duck -- NF-κB -- IFN-β -- Innate immunity; Immunology -- Periodicals; Developmental immunology -- Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104208
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-305X

Abstract

Abstract: IκB kinase β (IKKβ), a catalytic subunit of the IKK complex, is involved in a wide array of biological processes, particularly in inflammation and innate immunity. Although extensive studies have been carried out to explore the roles of mammalian IKKβs in innate immune response, the function of IKKβ in avian innate immunity is largely unknown. Here, we cloned and characterized the duck IKKβ (duIKKβ) gene for the first time. DuIKKβ encoded 755 amino acids and displayed high sequence similarity to pseudopodoces and haliaeetus IKKβs. DuIKKβ transcripts were widely distributed in all tested tissues, especially with high expression in the thymus and bursa of Fabricius. Overexpression of duIKKβ promoted NF-κB activation and initiated the downstream cytokines expression including IFN-β, ZAP, PKR, IL-8, and CCL5 in duck embryo fibroblasts. Furthermore, knockdown of endogenous duIKKβ significantly reduced LPS-, poly(I:C)- or SeV-induced NF-κB activation. Finally, we demonstrated that duIKKβ showed antiviral activity against Duck Tembusu virus infection. Our findings provide insights into the roles of duIKKβ in avian innate immunity. Highlights: DuIKKβ transcript is widely distributed in various tissues of ducks. DuIKKβ expression promotes NF-κB activity and IFN-β production in DEFs. DuIKKβ shows antiviral activity against DTMUV infection.