The Effect of Atractylodes macrocephala Polysaccharides on Rabbit’s Host Defense Peptide (RSRAH) mRNA Expression

Host defense peptides (HDPs) constitute a large group of natural broad-spectrum antimicrobials and an important first line of immunity in virtually all forms of life. Specific augmentation of synthesis of endogenous HDPs may represent a promising antibiotic-alternative approach to disease control. Previously, we purified and identificated a Novel Antimicrobial Host Defense Peptide from a histone of Rabbit sacculus rotundus, and termed this Peptide RSRAH, which could promoted cellular immune function in immunosuppressed mice and protected mice from E. coli challenge (Chen in Int J Pept Res Ther 2015, 2018). In the present study, we further revealed that RSRAH expression in the sacculus rotundus is significantly higher in adult rabbits than in aging rabbits. And RSRAH is highly expressed in immune-related tissues. Furthermore, feed supplementation with 0.1% and 0.2% Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharide, recognized as an ideal immunopotentiator, led to a significant increase in RSRAH gene expression in the Rabbit sacculus rotundus. Collectively, it was hypothesized that RSRAH may play an important role in the immune system of rabbits.