Recent progress in understanding host immune response to Avian Coccidiosis: Th1 and Th17 responses

Authors: Lillehoj, Hyun; KIM, WOOHYUN - Gyeongsang National University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/2/2017
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Host-pathogen interaction leading to protection against coccidiosis is complex, involving many aspects of innate and adaptive immunity to intracellular parasites. The etiologic agent of avian coccidiosis is Eimeria, a genus of eukaryotic obligate intracellular parasites belonging to the phylum Apicomplexa. Clinical manifestations of infection include damage to the intestinal epithelium, decreased nutrient absorption, inefficient feed utilization, and impaired growth rate, which, in severe cases, may lead to mortality. Finding antibiotic alternative solution to control coccidiosis is becoming increasing important globally due to the prevalence of drug resistant coccidia parasites in the field disease outbreaks. Our previous studies showed that intestinal CD8+ cells are involved in sporozoite transport and host protection. Furthermore, selective depletion CD8+ cells led to reduced disease resistance following infection with E. tenella or E. acervulina. Although the detailed immune mechanisms mediated by CD8+ cells are not known, our recent study indicated that CD8+ cells secrete anti-infective protein, NK lysin which is chicken homologue of human granulysin. We recently designed a cNK-2, a synthetic peptide, and demonstrated its anti-parasitic activity against Eimeria spp. Besides anti-parasitic activity, we report in this presentation that chicken cationic peptide cNK-2 also modulate innate immune response in poultry through several MAPK signaling pathways. Based on these findings, we believe that cNK-2 is a good candidate as an antibiotic alternative to prevent or treat avian coccidiosis and other infections.