Decreased gene expression of RIPK1 and RIPK3, necroptosis players, in calves with sepsis

Background With the increase in the world population, the need for livestock-based nutrition is also increasing. In addition, the livestock sector becomes more important as it contributes to the economy However, sepsis has high morbidity and mortality rate in newborn calves and can cause severe economic losses. Therefore, new biomarkers to distinguish sepsis from other diseases are urgently needed in veterinary medicine. In the present study, we investigated for the first time the gene expression levels of necroptosis members, including RIPK1 and RIPK3, and one of the NF-kB activators RIPK2, in calves with sepsis. Methods and results We examined the mRNA levels of RIPK1, RIPK3, and RIPK2 using qPCR in 10 healthy Holstein calves and 20 Holstein calves with sepsis due to suffering from enteritis infection between 1-20 days of age. The hematologic parameters, including leukocytes, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets, were evaluated in the calves included in this study. The results showed that calves with sepsis had prominently lower mRNA levels of RIPK1 and RIPK3 than those in healthy calves. Besides, RIPK2 mRNA expression was absent in healthy calves and calves with sepsis. Conclusions In veterinary medicine decreased RIPK1 and RIPK3 mRNA levels might be biomarkers to diagnose sepsis in calves.