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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Exotic & Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #427326
Research Project: Control Strategies to Prevent and Respond to Diseases Outbreaks Caused by Avian Influenza Viruses

Location: Exotic & Emerging Avian Viral Diseases Research

Title: Genetic resilience or resistance in poultry against avian influenza virus: Mirage or reality

Author
item Suarez, David
item White, Stephen
item Walker, Lianna
item Kapczynski, Darrell
item Chen, Paula

Submitted to: International Symposium on Avian Influenza
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/25/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The unprecedented global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds, poultry, and mammalian species has challenged our control efforts. Alternative approaches to limit avian influenza virus (AIV) include development of resilient or resistant chickens. Genetically resilient birds may become infected but can overcome disease, whereas resistant birds prevent virus attachment or entry. The most intensively studied host gene is myxovirus-resistance (Mx), which is expressed via the interferon pathway. Both sensitive and resistant chicken Mx genotypes have been described, but this only provides limited resilience. Acidic nuclear phosphoprotein 32 family member A (ANP32A) has been demonstrated as a host cofactor in AIV replication via interaction with viral polymerase. Small nucleotide changes within this gene have demonstrated some promise for establishment of disease resilience. Certain MHC-defined genetic chicken lines have demonstrated increased resilience with higher innate immune responses, but HPAI infected birds still have high morbidity and mortality. Alternatively, gene edited or transgenic chickens have had some success in increasing resilience. This strategy allows flexibility to include foreign genes, modification of existing genes, or combined approaches to block critical steps in the viral life cycle. Some candidate genes include solute carrier 35A1 (SLC35A1), retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIGI), and toll-like receptor 3 and 7 (TLR3/7), but animal testing needs to be conducted. Furthermore, existing hurdles for technology transfer to commercial application from either naturally occurring resistance genes or foreign genes remain high and will require acceptance by both the poultry industry and consumers.