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Differential nitric oxide production by chicken immune cells
Tawni L Crippen1, Cynthia L Sheffield, Haiqi He
1Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, 2881 F&B Road, College Station, TX 77845, USA. crippen@ffsru.tamu.edu
Developmental and Comparative Immunology
|April 17, 2003
Summary
Chicken immune cells produce varying amounts of nitrite, a nitric oxide metabolite. Macrophage cell lines (HD11) showed significantly higher production than monocytes or heterophils, indicating inducible nitric oxide synthase involvement.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Nitric oxide (NO) is a reactive free radical with dual roles in inflammation and cell signaling.
- Understanding NO production in avian immune cells is crucial for poultry health and disease research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify nitrite production in chicken immune cells after stimulation.
- To compare nitric oxide synthase activity across different chicken cell types.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of nitrite, a stable nitric oxide metabolite.
- Stimulation of chicken heterophils, monocytes, and the HD11 macrophage cell line.
- Use of IFN-gamma, LPS, and killed bacteria as stimuli.
- Inhibition studies using S-methylisothiourea.
Main Results:
- Differential nitrite production observed in chicken heterophils, monocytes, and HD11 cells over 72 hours.
- HD11 cells produced 10-fold more nitrite than monocytes and 30-fold more than heterophils.
- Nitrite production was inhibited by S-methylisothiourea, confirming inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) participation.
Conclusions:
- Chicken macrophages (HD11) are significant producers of nitric oxide metabolites.
- Inducible nitric oxide synthase plays a key role in NO production in these stimulated chicken immune cells.
- Findings contribute to understanding innate immunity in avian species.