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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Avian Disease and Oncology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #306529
Title: Infection with Marek’s disease virus induces high levels of CD8a/a cells in chickens resistant to Marek’s disease

Author
item Hunt, Henry
item HEARN, CARI - Michigan State University
item PERUMBAKKAM, SUDEEP - Michigan State University
item Cheng, Hans

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/16/2014
Publication Date: 7/16/2014
Citation: Hunt, H.D., Hearn, C., Perumbakkam, S., Cheng, H.H. 2014. Infection with Marek’s disease virus induces high levels of CD8a/a cells in chickens resistant to Marek’s disease. Meeting Abstract. Guelph, Canada, July 16, 2014.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The CD8a/a cells have non-traditional roles. CD8a/a cells (T'' cells) usually recognize monomorphic antigen like bacterial lipids presented by non-traditional class I glycoproteins such as BF1 (minor) or Rfp-Y. CD8a/a cells have also been implicated in natural killing with approximately 80% of NK cells in humans expressing the CD8a/a phenotype. In addition, CD8a/a cells have been associated with T cell regulation perhaps by inducing memory CD8a/ß cells. To explore the potential role of CD8a/a cells in response to Marek’s disease virus (MDV) infection, we monitored cells using flow cytometry in chicken lines that were resistant (Line 6) or susceptible (Line 7) to Marek’s disease (MD). Our results show that Line 6 has higher levels of CD8a/a compared to Line 7, and the CD8a/a levels rise dramatically in infected Line 6 on days 21 through 28 after infection suggesting these CD8a/a cells may be protective.