Regional and age dependent changes in gene expression of Toll-like receptors and key antimicrobial defence molecules throughout the gastrointestinal tract of dairy calves

The primary aim of this study was to determine regional and age-dependent expression patterns of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), peptidoglycan recognition protein 1 (PGLYRP1), and β-defensin in rumen, jejunum, ileum, cecum and colon of 3 week (n = 8) and 6 month old (n = 8) calves. The expression of most TLRs was significantly down-regulated throughout the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) with increasing age. TLR10 expression was significantly higher in ileum than all other gut regions, irrespective of age. TLR2 and TLR4 expression were significantly higher in the cecum and colon of 6 month old calves. Furthermore, expression of β-defensin, and PGLYRP1 was only detectable in 6 month old calves. The expression of TLRs was positively or negatively correlated with population of total bacteria and/or lactic acid bacteria depending on the GIT region. These observations indicate that innate immune responses to commensal microflora may vary significantly throughout the GIT and with age changes.