Evaluation of a Serine Hydrolase Inhibitor JZL184 as an Immunomodulator against Avian Pathogenic Escherichia Coli O78 in Chickens

Chickens in the poultry industry are reared under intensive conditions where they are often exposed to opportunistic pathogens. Escherichia coli strain O78 is responsible for about half of the cases of avian colisepticemia. Potential therapeutic treatments have been proposed to inhibit the hydrolases that controls the endogenous levels of the endocannabinoid, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG). 2-AG is the full agonist at the CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system expressed among leukocytes and it plays a role in mediating the activation of phagocytic macrophages. It is speculated that elevating 2- AG levels could increase macrophage cytokines and promote the recruitment of immune cells at the infected tissues. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immunomodulating effect of the 2-AG hydrolase inhibitor, JZL184 in chickens. The treatments could potentially up-regulate the innate immune responses in chickens during an E. coli infection by conveying a message from the endocannabinoid system to the immune system.