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Published on: December 29, 2012
Avian NK activities, cells and receptors
Sally L Rogers1, Birgit C Viertlboeck, Thomas W Göbel
1Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Research Centre, 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada. srogers@bccrc.ca <srogers@bccrc.ca>
Seminars in Immunology
|October 25, 2008
Summary
Avian natural killer (NK) cell activity is crucial for disease resistance, mediated by specific T cell subsets. Research explores the genetic basis of these immune cells in birds, focusing on receptor genes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Avian biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Natural killer (NK) cell activity in birds has been studied for decades, yet its precise role in disease resistance remains largely suggestive.
- In chickens, NK activity involves T cell receptor gamma delta (TCR0) cells in the gut, with other T cell subsets potentially playing roles elsewhere.
- The genetic landscape of avian NK receptors is characterized by a limited number of lectin-like genes near the natural killer complex (NKC) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cellular and genetic underpinnings of natural killer (NK) cell activity in avian species.
- To clarify the roles of different T cell subsets in mediating NK activity in chickens.
- To characterize the repertoire of NK receptor genes in birds, particularly lectin-like and Ig-like receptors.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cellular populations mediating NK activity in the chicken intestinal epithelium and other tissues.
- Examination of T cell subsets, including alphabeta and gammadelta T cells (NKT cells).
- Genomic analysis to identify and map NK receptor genes, including lectin-like and Ig-like types, in relation to conserved genomic regions (NKC, MHC, LRC).
Main Results:
- NK activity in chickens is primarily mediated by TCR0 cells in the intestinal epithelium.
- Subsets of alphabeta and gammadelta T cells (NKT cells) may contribute to NK activity in non-intestinal tissues.
- Avian genomes possess few lectin-like NK receptor genes, located near the NKC and MHC, contrasting with numerous Ig-like receptor genes near the LRC.
Conclusions:
- Avian NK cell activity involves distinct cellular players in different tissues, highlighting the complexity of the avian immune system.
- The genetic organization of avian NK receptors differs significantly from mammals, with a notable expansion of Ig-like receptor genes.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the functional significance of these NK cell subsets and receptor genes in avian health and disease.
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