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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Food and Feed Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #181276
Title: AVIAN POLYMORPHONUCLEAR CELLS CONTRIBUTE TO A DIFFERENTIAL INNATE IMMUNE RESPONSE IN GENETICALLY DEFINED CHICKENS

Author
item Swaggerty, Christina - Christi
item LOWRY, VIRGINIA - TX A&M UNIVERSITY
item PEVZNER, IGAL - COBB-VANTRESS
item Kogut, Michael - Mike

Submitted to: Society for Leukocyte Biology Meetings Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2005
Publication Date: 9/21/2005
Citation: Swaggerty, C.L., Lowry, V.K., Pevzner, I.Y., Kogut, M.H. 2005. Avian polymorphonuclear cells contribute to a differential innate immune response in genetically defined chickens [abstract]. Journal of Leukocyte Biology. (Suppl. 2005):38.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Heterophils, the primary polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) in chickens, are the avian counterpart to mammalian neutrophils. Heterophils modulate acute innate responses through phagocytosis, respiratory burst, and degranulation. We have been characterizing the heterophil-mediated innate immune response of two parental lines of broilers (A;B). Regardless of the function (phagocytosis, killing ability, degranulation, and respiratory burst) heterophils from line A chickens were more efficient than those from B. To determine if in vitro function translates to increased resistance to bacterial challenge, day-old chickens were challenged with Salmonella enteritidis (SE) or Enterococcus gallinarum (EG). SE was administered orally, chickens sacrificed 6, 12, 24, and 48 h post-challenge, and the livers cultured for SE. Secondly, SE was administered intra-abdominally (IA) and morbidity and mortality monitored for 72 h. Cellular influx to the abdomen was also evaluated. Line A chickens had significantly more heterophils at the site of infection compared to line B chickens. Chickens were also challenged orally with EG and organ invasion determined. Again, line A chickens were more resistant than line B chickens. This study also showed the hematologic profile reflected changes associated with protection against EG; significantly more circulating heterophils and monocytes in line A with no changes in line B. Collectively, line A chickens are immunologically more responsive and more resistant to pathogens, including SE and EG, in part, due to an efficient heterophil-mediated innate immune response.