Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) as a molecular target for Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) resistance in chickens

Shiying Li; Mengyun Zou; Yingjie Wang; Qiao Guo; Shan Lv; Wenqing Zhao; Md Ahsanul Kabir; Xiuli Peng

doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.140110

Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) as a molecular target for Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) resistance in chickens

Int J Biol Macromol. 2025 Jan 20:140110. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.140110. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Shiying Li¹, Mengyun Zou², Yingjie Wang³, Qiao Guo¹, Shan Lv¹, Wenqing Zhao¹, Md Ahsanul Kabir¹, Xiuli Peng⁴

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education; College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
² Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education; College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; Institute of animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, Jiangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jiangxi poultry Engineering Technology Research Center, Jiangxi poultry breeding Engineering Laboratory, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education; College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 611130, China.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education; College of Animal Science and Technology and College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China. Electronic address: xiulipeng918@163.com.

PMID: 39842573
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.140110

Abstract

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) causes chronic respiratory disease (CRD), posing a significant threat to global poultry production. Current preventive strategies face limitations, emphasizing the need for alternative approaches such as breeding for disease resistance. This study identifies the matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP7) gene as a key factor in CRD resistance. Analysis of high-throughput sequencing data revealed MMP7's association with MG infection at tissue and cellular levels. Overexpression of MMP7 in avian type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECII) and macrophages (HD11) inhibited MG adhesion, modulated immune responses, and suppressed MG-induced cell proliferation and apoptosis, though MG replication remained unaffected. Conversely, MMP7 inhibition enhanced MG infection. Experimental infections in commercial (Jingfen Layer No.6, Hy-Line White) and local Chinese chicken breeds (Guangxi Indigenous, Tianlu Partridge, Cyan Shank Partridge) validated Tianlu Partridge chickens' relative resistance and Jingfen Layers' susceptibility. MMP7 expression levels correlated positively with reduced chick weight, air sac damage, tracheal mucosal thickness, and MG lung loads. These findings highlight MMP7 as a molecular target for assessing MG susceptibility and breeding resistant chickens while demonstrating the utility of local Chinese breeds in resistance-focused breeding programs.

Keywords: Chicken; Disease-resistant breeding; MMP7; Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG).