Changes in intestinal morphology, number of mucus-producing cells and expression of coronavirus receptors APN, DPP4, ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in pigs with aging

Abstract

Abstract Porcine enteric viral infections cause high morbidity and mortality in young piglets ( 45% of cells). Except for the expression of DPP4 in the jejunum and ileum of young pigs, the expression pattern of the selected coronavirus receptors was very different and not correlated with the age-dependent susceptibility to viral infections. In contrast, the number of mucus-producing cells increased over time and may play an essential role in protecting enteric mucosae against intestinal viruses.

Keywords

• Porcine intestines
• morphometry
• mucus-producing cells
• expression of coronavirus receptors