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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #80300
Title: EXPRESSION AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A CHICKEN CYTOKINE WITH MACROPHAGE ACTIVATING ACTIVITY

Author
item Lillehoj, Hyun
item Choi, Kang
item Zarlenga, Dante
item SONG, K - SEOUL NATIONAL UNIV
item HAN, J - SEOUL NATIONAL UNIV

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

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.