Unique features and distribution of the chicken CD83+ cell

The central importance of dendritic cells (DC) in both innate and acquired immunity is well recognized in the mammalian immune system. By contrast DC have yet to be characterized in avian species despite the fact that avian species such as the chicken have a well-developed immune system. CD83 has proven to be an excellent marker for DC in human and murine immune systems. In this study we identify chicken CD83 (chCD83) as the avian equivalent of the human and murine DC marker CD83. We demonstrate for the first time that unlike human and murine CD83, chCD83 is uniquely expressed in the B cell areas of secondary lymphoid organs and in organs with no human or murine equivalent such as the bursa and Harderian gland. Furthermore through multicolor immunofluorescence, we identify chCD83(+) populations that have unique attributes akin to both DC and follicular DC. These attributes include colocalization with B cell microenvironments, MHC class II expression, dendritic morphology, and distribution throughout peripheral and lymphoid tissues.