ARS | Publication request: Microscopic examination and cytokine expression of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells following exposure to low pathogenic avian ionfluenza

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 15, 2012
Publication Date: August 28, 2012
Citation: Jiang, H., Greene, C.R., Kapczynski, D.R. 2012. Microscopic examination and cytokine expression of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells following exposure to low pathogenic avian ionfluenza [abstract]. 12th Avian Immunology Research Group Meeting. p. 17.

Technical Abstract: Dendritic cells (DC) function as professional antigen presenting cells, and act as sentinels of the immune system. They are a part of the primary immune response to pathogens and help bridge the innate and adaptive immune responses. They are believed to migrate from bone marrow into the blood stream and eventually reside in most all tissue. Immature DC are especially equipped for antigen uptake and processing, while mature dendritic cells undergo physical and functional maturation to present antigen to naïve T cells. The recent expression of avian recombinant growth factors for generation of DC, in vitro, has allowed for culture and experimentation of these cells. In these studies we examined the morphologic characteristics of bone marrow-derived DC, cultured in the presence of different levels of recombinant chicken granulocyte-macrophage stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and recombinant chicken interleukin (IL)-4 to LPS stimulation. In addition, we examined the uptake and innate immune response of DC to inactivated and live low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI). Although no internationally agreed units of activity exists for avian cytokines, we determined 50ng/ml of GM-SF and IL-4 resulted in the maximum number of cell aggregates which were best observed at day 6. In addition, the uptake of fluorescently labeled-LPAI was observed, and viral titers were measured following infection with live virus, indicating viral replication in these cells. Finally, an increased proinflammatory immune response with IL-6 and IL-1beta was observed with real time quantitative RT-PCR after infection with LPAI. Taken together, these results demonstrate a morphological and functional change in DC following exposure to LPAI, which will allow further investigation into how avian DC contribute to the immune response against avian viruses.