ARS | Publication request: EXPRESSION AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A CHICKEN CYTOKINE WITH MACROPHAGE ACTIVATING ACTIVITY

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 1, 1997
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: A cDNA encoding chicken interferon-gamma (chIFN-gamma) was cloned from a CD4+ T-cell hybridoma by a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and expressed in Escherichia coli, and COS cells. In general, recombinant chicken IFN-gamma (rchIFN-gamma) expressed in the COS-cells, but not in E. coli, showed high bioactivity in vitro. The kinetics of IFN-gamma gene expression were examined in concanavalin A (Con A)-activated spleen lymphocytes by Northern blot and RT-PCR. IFN-gamma mRNA was detected as early as 30 min after Con A activation, reached peak expression at 2 hr and then decreased starting at 4 hr post Con A activation . Rabbit serum made to a synthetic peptide of IFN-gamma immunoprecipitated a 60 kda E. coli maltose-binding fusion protein of recombinant IFN-gamma (MBP-IFN) and a 26-27 kda secreted protein from COS cells and Con A-activated spleen cells. IFN-gamma inhibited vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-mediated cytotoxicity of chicken embryonic fibroblast (CEF) cells and upregulated the expression of many macrophage cell surface antigens, including class I and class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins. These results show that chicken IFN-gamma possesses anti-viral activity and immunoregulates macrophage activities.