Tight junction proteins are important for the maintenance and repair of the intestinal mucosal barrier. The present study investigated relationships among tight junction protein gene expres- sion, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection, and intestinal mucosal morphology in piglets. We compared the expression of six tight junction proteins (ZO-1, ZO-2, Occludin, Claudin-1, Claudin-4, and Claudin-5) between seven-day-old piglets infected with PEDV and normal piglets, as well as in PEDV-infected porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2). We also evaluated differences in mucosal morphology between PEDV-infected and normal piglets. The expression of six tight junction protein genes was lower in PEDV-infected piglets than in the normal animals. The expression of ZO-1, ZO-2, Occludin, and Claudin-4 in the intestine tissue was significantly lower (p<0.05) in PEDV-infected than in normal piglets. The expression of Claudin-5 in the jejunum was significantly lower in PEDV-infected piglets than in the normal animals (p<0.01). The expression of Claudin-1 and Claudin-5 genes in the ileum was signifi- cantly higher in PEDV-infected piglets than in normal piglets (p<0.01). Morphologically, the intestinal mucosa in PEDV-infected piglets exhibited clear pathological changes, including breakage and shedding of intestinal villi. In PEDV-infected IPEC-J2 cells, the mRNA expression of the six tight junction proteins showed a downward trend; in particular, the expression of the Occludin and Claudin-4 genes was significantly lower (p<0.01). These data suggest that the expression of these six tight junction proteins, especially Occludin and Claudin-4, plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier and resistance to PEDV infection in piglets.

The “second generation” of glyphosate-tolerant soybean (GT2 soybean) was developed through a different technique of insertion of the glyphosate-insensitive EPSPs gene, in comparison with “first generation” of glyphosate-tolerant soybean. However, there is not enough information available about glyphosate selectivity in GT2 soybean and the effects on the quality of seeds produced. The aim of this study was to evaluate tolerance to glyphosate and seed quality of soybean cultivar NS 6700 IPRO (GT2) with cp4-EPSPs and cry1Ac genes, after application at post-emergence (V4). The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with four replicates and seven treatments, or rates of glyphosate (0; 720; 1,440; 2,160; 2,880; 3,600; 4,320 g of acid equivalent − a.e. · ha−1). Assessments were performed for crop injury, SPAD index and variables related to agronomic performance and seed quality. A complementary trial with the same cultivar and treatments in a greenhouse was conducted in a completely randomized design with four replications. Data analysis indicated no significant effect of glyphosate on V4 on agronomic performance and physiological quality of seeds, for two growing seasons. The soybean cultivar NS 6700 IPRO (GT2), with cp4-EPSPs and cry1Ac genes, was tolerant to glyphosate up to the maximum rate applied (4,320 g a.e. · ha−1) at post-emergence (V4). The quality of soybean seeds was not affected by glyphosate up to the maximum rate applied (4,320 g a.e. · ha−1) at post-emergence (V4).