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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

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Published on: May 9, 2025
Antigenically activated avian erythrocytes release cytokine-like factors: a conserved phylogenetic function
L Passantino1, M A Massaro, F Jirillo
1Department of Animal Health and Welfare, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. l.passantino@veterinaria.uniba.it
Abstract:
Fish erythrocytes are endowed with the ability to produce cytokine like factors when stimulated with Candida albicans (Ca). To evaluate whether similar activities are still conserved in bird erythrocytes (BE), a morphological, cytochemical and immunological evaluation was conducted on peripheral cells in chickens (Gallus gallus). BE form rosettes with monocytes (Mo)-macrophages (MØ), and Mo-MØ according to cytochemical analysis to maintain phagocytic functions across the evolution. Finally, Ca-activated BE release in the supernatants cytokine like-factors that enhance Mo-MØ phagocytosis (interferon-gamma-like activity) and inhibit Mo-MØ migration in agarose (migration inhibitory factor activity). In conclusion, bird erythrocytes, as nonimmune cells, are able to participate in the immune response contributing to the host defence.
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