ARS | Publication request: CELL SIGNALING AND HOST INNATE IMMUNE DEFENSES IN WILD-TYPE AND COMMERCIAL TURKEYS

Submitted to: Congress International Society Develop Comparative Immunology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: February 27, 2006
Publication Date: July 1, 2006
Citation: Genovese, K.J., He, H., Lowry, V.K., Swaggerty, C.L., Nisbet, D.J., Kogut, M.H. 2006. Cell signaling and host innate immune defenses in wild-type and commercial turkeys [abstract]. 10th International Congress of Developmental and Comparative Immunology. p. 110.

Technical Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to measure any functional differences in heterophils isolated from a commercial line (A) to wild-type Rio Grande turkeys and to observe differences in intracellular signaling. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) p38 and ERK 1/2 and total protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activities were measured. In signaling assays, after stimulation with Salmonella (SE) or opsonized SE (OPSE), cells were lysed and lysates were tested for MAPK and PTK activity using commercial ELISA kits. On both day 4 and 7 post-hatch, Rio Grande heterophils had significantly higher levels of ERK 1/2 and p38 MAPK kinase activity upon stimulation with SE and OPSE. PTK values on day 4 and 7 post-hatch in Rio Grande heterophils was significantly higher upon stimulation with SE than with OPSE and was significantly higher than the PTK levels in Line A upon SE and OPSE stimulation. Heterophil phagocytosis of SE, oxidative burst (OXB) and degranulation (DGR) were assayed. On days 4 and 7 post-hatch, Rio Grande heterophils responded to phorbol A-myristate 13 acetate (PMA) with significantly greater OXB activity than Line A. The DGR assay also revealed a significantly greater level of activity in Rio Grande heterophils compared to heterophils from Line A. No differences in the phagocytosis of SE were observed between lines. These results demonstrate that wild-type Rio Grande turkeys possess greater innate immune functions than their commercial counterparts and suggest that improvements in the innate system of commercial birds early in life could be beneficial in the prevention of disease.