禽致病性大肠杆菌pagP基因缺失株相关毒力基因的RNA-Seq分析

本研究为筛选禽致病性大肠杆菌pagP基因缺失后表达量变化的相关毒力基因,对禽致病性大肠杆菌AE17及pagP基因缺失株进行RNA-Seq测序,从中筛选出与毒力相关的差异基因并对其表达量的变化进行GO和KEGG分析。以|Fold-change|≥2且FDR≤0.05为条件从测序结果中筛选得到372个差异表达基因,其中339个基因表达上调,33个基因表达下调。GO功能分类结果显示差异基因主要集中在物质跨膜运输、转Class录调控以及生物膜的形成等功能注释;KEGG数据库显示,差异表达基因主要富集在鞭毛装配、双组分系统、脂多糖的生物合成以及ABC转运蛋白等通路。pagP基因缺失会引起相关毒力基因表达量的变化,根据RNA-Seq测序结果筛选出7个对APEC具有重要作用的毒力基因,为深入研究APEC的致病机理提供依据。     

高致病性2型猪链球菌截短型类枯草杆菌丝氨酸蛋白酶基因的鉴定和功能研究

【目的】克隆表达高致病性2型猪链球菌05ZYH33株的SspA截短型基因,验证其是否具有酶学活性,并构建该基因的缺失突变株细菌,探讨其在2型猪链球菌致病过程中所起的作用【。方法】构建SS2的SspA截短型基因05SSU0811原核表达质粒,表达并纯化05SSU0811蛋白,运用丝氨酸蛋白酶底物Succinyl-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-p-nitroanilide(pNa),通过显色反应检测表达产物的酶学活性;运用同源重组技术敲除05SSU0811基因,多重交叉PCR筛选敲除株并测序鉴定,动物试验分析05SSU0811基因缺失对细菌毒力的影响。【结果】成功表达并纯化05SSU0811蛋白,浓度约为3.5 g/L。丝氨酸蛋白酶活性测定试验证实其具有酶学活性;获得05SSU0811基因缺失突变株,小鼠攻毒试验表明,野生株攻毒的20只小鼠全部死亡,基因缺失突变株攻毒组死亡9只,死亡率45%,两组间死亡率有显著性差异。表明05SSU0811基因缺失的菌株毒力较野生株明显下降。【结论】05SSU0811基因编码的截短型丝氨酸蛋白酶仍然具有酶学活性,SS2的截短型基因SspA在高致病性2型猪链球菌的致病性方面具有一定作用。     

多杀性巴氏杆菌攻毒小鼠肺脏的转录组分析

多杀性巴氏杆菌(Pasteurella multocida)可感染多种动物宿主并引发败血症和呼吸道疾病,危害动物健康,给养殖业带来严重经济损失。本研究为探究多杀性巴氏杆菌感染期间对宿主肺脏基因表达的影响,选取羊源A型多杀性巴氏杆菌对小鼠(Mus musculus)进行攻毒实验,攻毒后72 h采集小鼠肺脏组织并提取总RNA。基于转录组测序,与对照组相比,攻毒组获得2 443个差异表达基因,其中有1 437个基因上调,1 006个基因下调。对2 443个差异表达基因进行GO富集分析,结果显示,差异基因显著富集的GO terms主要有B细胞稳态、T细胞迁移的正调控、整合素复合物和胶原蛋白结合;KEGG富集分析结果显示,差异基因显著富集于11条免疫炎症信号通路,包括细胞因子与细胞因子受体互作、趋化因子信号通路等;免疫炎症相关信号通路中,差异基因经蛋白质-蛋白质互作分析,结果显示,C3、C3ar1、C5ar1、Cxcl10、Cxcr2和Gng11基因处于网络中心,说明这些基因在多杀性巴氏杆菌感染过程中发挥了重要作用;从11条免疫炎症通路的基因中挑选10个进行实时荧光定量PCR验证,发现有8个基因...     

鸟分枝杆菌PhoP功能分析及其基因突变株的构建

【目的】对鸟分枝杆菌PhoP的功能进行分析及构建PhoP基因突变株,为深入研究PhoP的调控机制打下基础。【方法】利用PCR扩增出鸟分枝杆菌PhoP DNA结合区(PhoPC)编码序列,与表达载体p GEX-4T-3连接后,转化入大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达GST-PhoPC融合蛋白。用凝血酶去除GST标签,制备PhoPC蛋白;利用PCR扩增出鸟分枝杆菌PhoP基因及其下游基因MAV0127、PhoU和Amt的启动子片段,采用凝胶迁移率移动试验(EMSA)分别检测PhoPC与PhoP、MAV0127、PhoU和Amt的启动子结合的情况。通过PCR扩增PhoP基因上、下游片段,构建PhoP基因缺失性同源核苷酸片段,与自杀质粒p GMB151连接后,通过电转化导入鸟分枝杆菌进行同源交换,利用PCR筛选出PhoP基因缺失突变株。【结果】EMSA结果显示,鸟分枝杆菌PhoP能与PhoP、MAV0127及Amt基因启动子结合,不能与PhoU结合。通过PCR和序列分析证实基因突变株的PhoP基因缺失了309个碱基。【结论】PhoP不仅可调控其下游基因MAV0127和Amt的转录水平,还可调控其自身基因的转录,但不参与调节PhoU二元调控系统。构建了PhoP基因缺失突变株,为进一步研究其在鸟分枝杆菌的调控功能奠定了基础。     

大肠杆菌三型分泌系统2转录调节子EtrA对禽致病性大肠杆菌致病性的影响

【背景】禽致病性大肠杆菌(avian pathogenic Escherichia coli,APEC)是禽类主要病原菌之一,大肠杆菌三型分泌系统2 (Escherichia coli type III secretion system 2,ETT2)可通过转录调节子调控其致病性,但在APEC中转录调节子EtrA对其致病性的影响目前尚不清楚。【目的】研究ETT2中转录调节子EtrA对APEC致病性的影响。【方法】利用Red同源重组技术构建ETT2-etrA基因缺失株及回复株。比较生长性能、生物被膜形成、运动性及对血清敏感性的差异,基于RNA-Seq测序及Real-timePCR技术比较野生株和缺失株中与生物被膜形成、运动性以及毒力因子相关基因的转录水平。【结果】与野生株相比,缺失株及回复株生长特性无显著变化(P0.05),但APEC40-ΔetrA生物被膜形成能力和对血清敏感性明显增强(P0.001),运动性较野生株明显下降(P0.01),回复株的表型有所回复。转录组学筛选出7个毒力差异基因,生物被膜形成相关基因显著上调,参与影响细菌运动性的基因显著下调。qRT-PCR验证与转录组学结果一致。【结论】etrA缺失可以显著影响APEC的生物被膜形成、运动性及对血清的敏感性,这可为进一步探讨ETT2对APEC的致病作用提供参考。     

基于高通量测序技术分析番鸭呼肠孤病毒感染雏番鸭肠道转录组学的变化

番鸭呼肠孤病毒(Muscovy duck reovirus,MDRV)感染雏番鸭可导致肠道黏膜受损,造成肠黏膜免疫功能低下甚至丧失。为寻找番鸭呼肠孤病毒感染雏番鸭肠道组织免疫相关的差异表达基因,本研究建立番鸭呼肠孤病毒自然发病模型,在感染后3d、6d、21d采集同居感染组和对照组试验雏番鸭的空肠,对其进行高通量测序,对差异表达基因进行GO功能分类和KEGG数据库分析。结果显示,感染后3d、6d和21d分别筛选出2 297、5 860和3 721个差异表达基因;GO分子功能结果显示,免疫相关差异表达基因主要和免疫球蛋白的产生、T细胞活化和单核细胞趋化性等有关;KEGG通路富集结果显示,差异表达基因主要涉及在吞噬体、细胞溶质DNA传感途径、细胞因子-细胞因子受体相互作用、Toll样受体信号通路、Jak-STAT信号通路和RIG-I受体信号通路;荧光定量RT-PCR对差异表达基因进行验证,其结果与转录组学结果基本一致。本研究为进一步阐明MDRV感染导致雏番鸭肠道损伤和黏膜免疫抑制的机制奠定基础。     

高致病性2型猪链球菌plcR基因敲除株的构建及其相关生物学特性的研究

【目的】构建高致病性2型猪链球菌05ZYH33菌株plcR基因敲除株,通过比较突变株与野生株生物学特性的差异,研究plcR基因在2型猪链球菌致病过程中的作用。【方法】利用同源重组技术敲除plcR基因,多重交叉PCR及RT-PCR鉴定并测序验证。比较野生株与突变株基本生物学特性的差异,小鼠攻毒实验分析plcR基因缺失对细菌毒力的影响。【结果】经RT-PCR证实05SSU0241与05SSU0242共转录,通过多重交叉PCR及RT-PCR证实成功构建plcR基因缺失突变株,基本生物学特性显示突变株的生长速率、菌落形态、溶血活性均无显著改变,小鼠致病性试验结果显示,野生株攻毒的小鼠死亡率为70%,突变株攻毒的小鼠死亡率为40%,毒力较野生株显著降低。【结论】plcR基因作为2型猪链球菌有毒株基因组中特有的外源基因,在细菌致病过程中具有重要作用。     

kpsE和kpsD双基因缺失显著降低肠道外致病性大肠杆菌的毒力

【目的】探究荚膜对肠道外致病性大肠杆菌致病作用的影响。【方法】选取负责荚膜多糖转运的基因kpsE和kpsD,利用λRed重组系统构建APEC E058和UPEC U17荚膜缺失株E058ΔkpsED和U17ΔkpsED,并通过一系列的体内及体外试验对其生物学特性及致病性进行研究。【结果】双基因缺失株的生长速度较野生株没有明显差异,但缺失株抗血清补体杀菌能力和抗鸡巨噬细胞HD-11细胞吞噬能力显著下降。1日龄雏鸡LD50致病性试验结果显示,缺失株E058ΔkpsED和U17ΔkpsED对鸡失去致病力,而回复株毒力恢复至野生株水平;35日龄SPF鸡体内动态分布和竞争试验显示ΔkpsED缺失株在鸡体内定殖能力和竞争性生长能力显著下降,表明kpsED双基因的缺失能显著降低APEC E058和UPEC U17的致病力。【结论】荚膜与肠道外致病性大肠杆菌的致病性相关,是其重要的毒力因子。     

毒力基因yqeH功能分析及对禽致病性大肠杆菌致病性的影响

【背景】禽致病性大肠杆菌(avian pathogenic Escherichia coli,APEC)可引起禽类急性或亚急性感染,在近年新发现的大肠杆菌Ⅲ型分泌系统2 (Escherichia coli type III secretion system 2,ETT2)中,毒力基因yqeH对其致病性的影响尚不明确。【目的】探究yqeH在APEC致病过程中的作用,为后期深入研究ETT2致病机制奠定基础。【方法】利用Red同源重组技术构建yqeH缺失株ΔyqeH及其回复株CΔyqeH,通过运动性、生物被膜形成能力、抗逆性、抗血清杀菌能力等试验分析yqeH对APEC生物学功能的影响,并通过细胞黏附、侵袭试验、致病力测定及荧光定量PCR检测细胞炎性因子转录水平,探究yqeH对APEC感染宿主的影响。【结果】构建了缺失株ΔyqeH和回复株CΔyqeH;生物学特性试验结果表明,与野生株APEC81相比,缺失株ΔyqeH生物被膜形成能力、运动能力降低,对酸、碱、渗透压、氧化休克的耐受力降低,抗血清杀菌能力及致病力显著降低;与野生株APEC81相比,缺失株ΔyqeH对鸡气管黏膜上皮细胞的黏附及侵袭能...     

MDCK细胞和MDCK-G1细胞感染H1N1流感病毒后病毒滴度和细胞转录组表达差异分析

目的通过分析细胞表达基因及其相关信号通路的差异等信息,探索MDCK和MDCK-G1细胞株在接种H1N1流感病毒后出现病毒滴度和细胞生长趋势差异的内在生物学特性等原因。方法通过Illumina测序平台对2株细胞进行转录组测序(RNA sequencing, RNA-seq)和测序结果生物信息学分析后,选择了17个差异基因进行实时定量聚合酶链反应(quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, qRT-PCR)验证。结果 MDCK和MDCK-G1细胞差异基因(differentially expressed genes, DEGs)|log_2(FoldChange)|0和padj≤0.05总数为2 786个。相比于MDCK细胞,MDCK-G1细胞有967个基因的表达显著上升,1 819个基因的表达显著下降。差异基因通过基因本体(Gene Ontology, GO)数据库富集功能注释和京都基因和基因组数据库(Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, KEGG)进行通路分析发现,2株细胞在免疫调控和细胞生长周期调控上均存在差异,qRT-PCR验证的17个基因中有16个基因的表达趋势与转录组测序结果一致。结论 2株细胞的转录谱存在显著差异。     

Roles of iron acquisition systems in virulence of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli: salmochelin and aerobactin contribute more to virulence than heme in a chicken infection model

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) and uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) are the two main subsets of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Both types have multiple iron acquisition systems, including heme and siderophores. Although iron transport systems involved in the pathogenesis of APEC or UPEC have been documented individually in corresponding animal models, the contribution of these systems during simultaneous APEC and UPEC infection is not well described. To determine the contribution of each individual iron acquisition system to the virulence of APEC and UPEC, isogenic mutants affecting iron uptake in APEC E058 and UPEC U17 were constructed and compared in a chicken challenge model. RESULTS: Salmochelin-defective mutants E058DeltairoD and U17DeltairoD showed significantly decreased pathogenicity compared to the wild-type strains. Aerobactin defective mutants E058DeltaiucD and U17DeltaiucD demonstrated reduced colonization in several internal organs, whereas the heme defective mutants E058DeltachuT and U17DeltachuT colonized internal organs to the same extent as their wild-type strains. The triple mutant DeltachuTDeltairoDDeltaiucD in both E058 and U17 showed decreased pathogenicity compared to each of the single mutants. The histopathological lesions in visceral organs of birds challenged with the wild-type strains were more severe than those from birds challenged with DeltairoD, DeltaiucD or the triple mutants. Conversely, chickens inoculated with the DeltachuT mutants had lesions comparable to those in chickens inoculated with the wild-type strains. However, no significant differences were observed between the mutants and the wild-type strains in resistance to serum, cellular invasion and intracellular survival in HD-11, and growth in iron-rich or iron-restricted medium. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that APEC and UPEC utilize similar iron acquisition mechanisms in chickens. Both salmochelin and aerobactin systems appeared to be important in APEC and UPEC virulence, while salmochelin contributed more to the virulence. Heme bounded by ChuT in the periplasm appeared to be redundant in this model, indicating that other periplasmic binding proteins likely contributed to the observed no phenotype for the heme uptake mutant. No differences were observed between the mutants and their wild-type parents in other phenotypic traits, suggesting that other virulence mechanisms compensate for the effect of the mutations.     

The carboxyl-terminal 120-residue polypeptide of infectious bronchitis virus nucleocapsid induces cytotoxic T lymphocytes and protects chickens from acute infection.

Specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses to nucleocapsid of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) were identified by using target cells infected with a Semliki Forest virus (SFV) vector. Effector cells for CTL assays were collected from chickens infected with the Gray strain of IBV or inoculated with a DNA plasmid encoding nucleocapsid proteins. IBV-specific CTL epitopes were mapped within the carboxyl-terminal 120 amino acids of the nucleocapsid protein. CTL lysis of target cells infected with SFV encoding nucleocapsid was major histocompatibility complex restricted and mediated by CD8+ T cells. In addition, splenic T cells collected from chickens inoculated in the breast muscle with a DNA plasmid encoding this CTL epitope(s) recognized target cells infected with wild-type virus or an SFV vector encoding nucleocapsid proteins. CTL activity of splenic T cells collected from chicks immunized with a DNA plasmid encoding CTL epitopes was cross-reactive, in that lysis of target cells infected with serologically distinct strains of IBV was dose responsive in a manner similar to that for lysis of target cells infected with the homologous strain of IBV. Furthermore, chickens immunized with a DNA plasmid encoding a CTL epitope(s) were protected from acute viral infection.     

Studies on the Characterization of Root Morphology of White Clover Infected by Transconjugant of Rhizobium leguminosarum

White clover plants were inoculated with transconjugant strain' 290 which was obtained from introduction of host specific nodulation genes of wild-type Rhizobium trifolii strain ANU 843 to Rhizobium leguminosarum strain 300. The characterization of root morphology of white clover induced by the transconjugant was observed and compared to the plants induced by the parent strains. White clover started tO form a typical root hair curling inoculated with transconjugant strain 290 24h after inoculation, at 48h a part of cell wall of root hair was degradated, infection thread was observed in the infected root hair cell, cortical cell divisions occurred extensively. All these characterizations were similar to that infected by strain ANU 843. Plant inoculation test indicated that no nodule was formed when inoculated by R. leguminosarum strain 300, while plants nodulated when inoculated with transconjugant strain 290 as well as R. trifolii ANU 843. This suggests that introduction of host specific nodulation genes of R. trifolii results in conferring the nodulation ability of R. leguminosarum on white clover.     

A newborn mouse model for the study of intestinal pathogenesis of shigellosis

Shigella infection is characterized by the induction of acute inflammation, which is responsible for the massive tissue destruction of the intestinal mucosa. A murine model would be a valuable tool for gaining a better understanding of the physiopathology of shigellosis and the host immune response to Shigella infection, but adult mice do not develop disease upon oral inoculation. We therefore attempted to develop a model of infection in newborn mice. Four-day-old mice inoculated with 50 microl of 5 x 10(9) invasive wild-type Shigella flexneri 5a were susceptible to bacterial infection, but mice inoculated with the non-invasive strain BS176 were not. Histologically, 4-day-old mice infected with the invasive strain presented intestinal lesions and inflammation similar to those described in patients with shigellosis. Moreover, cytokine and chemokine responses consistent with inflammation were observed. Lower bacterial inocula induced less severe intestinal damage. In contrast, 5-day-old mice inoculated with either the invasive or the non-invasive strain were not infected. We have thus established a mouse model that is suitable for the study of the pathogenesis of intestinal Shigella infection.     

Campylobacter jejuni strains compete for colonization in broiler chicks

Campylobacter jejuni isolates possess multiple adhesive proteins termed adhesins, which promote the organism's attachment to epithelial cells. Based on the proposal that one or more adhesins are shared among C. jejuni isolates, we hypothesized that C. jejuni strains would compete for intestinal and cecal colonization in broiler chicks. To test this hypothesis, we selected two C. jejuni strains with unique SmaI pulsed-field gel electrophoresis macrorestriction profiles and generated one nalidixic acid-resistant strain (the F38011 Nal(r) strain) and one streptomycin-resistant strain (the 02-833L Str(r) strain). In vitro binding assays revealed that the C. jejuni F38011 Nal(r) and 02-833L Str(r) strains adhered to LMH chicken hepatocellular carcinoma epithelial cells and that neither strain influenced the binding potential of the other strain at low inoculation doses. However, an increase in the dose of the C. jejuni 02-833L Str(r) strain relative to that of the C. jejuni F38011 Nal(r) strain competitively inhibited the binding of the C. jejuni F38011 Nal(r) strain to LMH cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Similarly, the C. jejuni 02-833L Str(r) strain was found to significantly reduce the efficiency of intestinal and cecal colonization by the C. jejuni F38011 Nal(r) strain in broiler chickens. Based on the number of bacteria recovered from the ceca, the maximum number of bacteria that can colonize the digestive tracts of chickens may be limited by host constraints. Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that C. jejuni strains compete for colonization in chicks and suggest that it may be possible to design novel intervention strategies for reducing the level at which C. jejuni colonizes the cecum.     

Pathogenicity of pap-negative avian Escherichia coli isolated from septicaemic lesions

Recent studies by DNA-DNA hybridisation assays conducted on a large collection of Escherichia coli strains isolated from chickens, ducks and turkeys suffering from colibacillosis, showed that 76% of the strains were negative for the presence of the pap gene cluster. The objective of this paper was to study the virulence associated with the avian E. coli strains negative for the P fimbriae, but carrying the f17 or the afa-8 gene cluster coding for adhesins associated with strains pathogenic for mammals. Three strains carrying the f17 fimbriae and three carrying the afa-8 adhesin-encoding gene cluster were studied in three in vivo experimental models of avian colibacillosis: subcutaneous inoculation of 1-day-old chicks, inoculation of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens via the intra-thoracic air sac, and intra-tracheal inoculation of axenic chickens. The results showed that the six P-negative E. coli isolates carrying the f17 or the afa-8 gene cluster were lethal for 1-day-old chicks. They were also able to reproduce clinical signs and lesions of colibacillosis (aerosacculitis, pericarditis, perihepathitis), with bacteraemia and septicaemia, in SPF chickens inoculated via the thoracic air sacs as well as in axenic chickens inoculated by the intra-tracheal route. Further studies with f17 and afa-8 allelic mutants constructed by disruption must be performed to confirm a role of F17 fimbrial and Afa-VIII afimbrial adhesins in the pathogenesis of avian colibacillosis.     

Observations on the Taiwanese Strain of Leucocytozoon caulleryi (Haemosporina) in Chickens

ABSTRACT. The Taiwanese strain of Leucocytozoon caulleryi was isolated from an infected chicken in Taipei, Taiwan, and established in chickens and biting midges Culicoides arakawae from Japan. Sporogony of the strain in C. arakawae was completed on day 3 after the infective blood meals at 25°C. Sporozoites isolated from the salivary glands of C. arakawae on days 3 or 4 after feeding caused infection in all the chickens inoculated. The strain showed high pathogenicity for chickens. Mortality of chickens rose with an increase in the number of sporozoites inoculated. The prepatent period for chickens inoculated with sporozoites was 14 days. Parasites appeared in the peripheral blood of chickens on day 15 and disappeared on day 26 after sporozoite inoculation. Soluble antigens were found in the sera of chickens infected with the strain between 10 and 17 days after inoculation, and homologous antibodies appeared after 17 days. Antigens prepared from sera, schizonts, merozoites, and gametocytes of the Taiwanese strain reacted with the sera of chickens infected witt the same strain or the strain isolated in Japan. The chickens that recovered from a primary infection with the Taiwanese strain demonstrated complete resistance to reinfection with the same strain or the strain isolated in Japan.     

Observations on the Taiwanese strain of Leucocytozoon caulleryi (Haemosporina) in chickens

The Taiwanese strain of Leucocytozoon caulleryi was isolated from an infected chicken in Taipei, Taiwan, and established in chickens and biting midges Culicoides arakawae from Japan. Sporogony of the strain in C. arakawae was completed on day 3 after the infective blood meals at 25 degrees C. Sporozoites isolated from the salivary glands of C. arakawae on days 3 or 4 after feeding caused infection in all the chickens inoculated. The strain showed high pathogenicity for chickens. Mortality of chickens rose with an increase in the number of sporozoites inoculated. The prepatent period for chickens inoculated with sporozoites was 14 days. Parasites appeared in the peripheral blood of chickens on day 15 and disappeared on day 26 after sporozoite inoculation. Soluble antigens were found in the sera of chickens infected with the strain between 10 and 17 days after inoculation, and homologous antibodies appeared after 17 days. Antigens prepared from sera, schizonts, merozoites, and gametocytes of the Taiwanese strain reacted with the sera of chickens infected with the same strain or the strain isolated in Japan. The chickens that recovered from a primary infection with the Taiwanese strain demonstrated complete resistance to reinfection with the same strain or the the strain isolated in Japan.     

Splenic gene expression profiling in White Leghorn layer inoculated with the Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) is a foodborne pathogen that can threaten human health through contaminated poultry products. Live poultry, chicken eggs and meat are primary sources of human salmonellosis. To understand the genetic resistance of egg‐type chickens in response to SE inoculation, global gene expression in the spleen of 20‐week‐old White Leghorn was measured using the Agilent 4 × 44 K chicken microarray at 7 and 14 days following SE inoculation (dpi). Results showed that there were 1363 genes significantly differentially expressed between inoculated and non‐inoculated groups at 7 dpi (I7/N7), of which 682 were up‐regulated and 681 were down‐regulated genes. By contrast, 688 differentially expressed genes were observed at 14 dpi (I14/N14), of which 371 were up‐regulated genes and 317 were down‐regulated genes. There were 33 and 28 immune‐related genes significantly differentially expressed in the comparisons of I7/N7 and I14/N14 respectively. Functional annotation revealed that several Gene Ontology (GO) terms related to immunity were significantly enriched between the inoculated and non‐inoculated groups at 14 dpi but not at 7 dpi, despite a similar number of immune‐related genes identified between I7/N7 and I14/N14. The immune response to SE inoculation changes with different time points following SE inoculation. The complicated interaction between the immune system and metabolism contributes to the immune responses to SE inoculation of egg‐type chickens at 14 dpi at the onset of lay. GC, TNFSF8, CD86, CD274, BLB1 and BLB2 play important roles in response to SE inoculation. The results from this study will deepen the current understanding of the genetic response of the egg‐type chicken to SE inoculation at the onset of egg laying.