INTERVIEW ▶▶▶ Huub Savelkoul
Dietary immunomodulation directs immune cells in the body
Activated immune cells can be sent through specific food components to a particular site in the body, like the upper respiratory tract or the skin. Poultry World looks at current research that builds on these findings and proves the hypothesis that immune cells can be directed to certain organs or body parts.
T BY DICK VAN DOORN
he research project ‘Nutrition-based gastro-intestinal health promotion in agricultural animal husbandry’ be- gan in 2014 and is mentored by Huub Savelkoul, profes- sor and head of the Cell Biology and Immunology group
in the department of Animal Sciences at Wageningen University. Just last year Professor Savelkoul and colleagues published their findings in the prestigious global scientific journal Mucosal Immu- nology. “Our study is based on extensive studies of food allergy in humans that evolved into a research programme called ‘Immune modulation through diet,’” Savelkoul explained. “Immunomodula- tion by food and feed provides the industry with a new concept,” he continued. “So since then we have been actively communicat-
“We have discovered that we can send immune cells through specific food
components to a particular site in the body.”
ing to the food industry and compound feed industry that there could be more to their feed than just nutrition. The relationship between gut, nutrition and resilience to infection and therefore general health is relevant to both humans and animals alike.
6 ▶ POULTRY WORLD | No. 9, 2019
Maintaining health and preventing infectious disease in the res- piratory and gastro-intestinal tracts are critically dependent on the proper functioning of the immune system in relation to intes- tinal homeostasis. If this homeostasis is compromised by the presence of infectious organisms, toxic compounds, bacterial dysbiosis, stress-related conditions and exposure to particular di- etary components, the health status of the individual is at risk. Often this condition will not immediately result in overt clinical disease but the development of a chronic low-grade, subclinical inflammation which can result in chronic diseases.”
Directing immune cells The model of natural disease resistance and immune modulation by feed was presented for the first time at a meeting with the Dutch compound feed company MulderAgro from Kollumer- zwaag,. “What we presented there was based mainly on literature studies as well as some own research.” Following the publication of two theses in 2018 by Dr Marloes van Splunter and Dr Olaf Per- dijk, it became clear that in (raw or pasteurised) milk, for exam- ple, this immunomodulation can provide the immunity. “We found out how the immunity-promoting activity in milk can be positively changed by a particular treatment,” professor Savelkoul explained. The research proposal for immune modulation was approved and he could begin his research work. He is currently investigating immunomodulation in poultry and pigs with research that specifically looks at diet-induced altera- tions in intestinal bacteria. The results of this research will be made available to the sector through scientific publications and presentations in courses provided by Wageningen Academy called ‘Gut Health in Pigs and Poultry’. Savelkoul announced the remarkable results during Gut Health 2019 held earlier this year.
PHOTO: DICK VAN DOORN
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