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Published on: May 3, 2011
Kinetics of lymphocytic subsets in chicken tracheal lesions infected with infectious bronchitis virus
T Kotani1, S Wada, Y Tsukamoto
1Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Agriculture, Osaka Prefecture University, Sakai, Japan.
Insights
This study tracked immune cell responses in chicken tracheas after infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) infection. It found that both B-cells and T-cells significantly increased following IBV inoculation, peaking around 4-5 days post-infection.
Area of Science:
- Avian immunology
- Virology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) is a significant respiratory pathogen in poultry.
- Understanding the host immune response, particularly cellular kinetics, is crucial for disease management.
- The role of T-cells and B-cells in the chicken tracheal immune response to IBV requires detailed investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the temporal and spatial dynamics of T-cell (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) and B-cell (IgG+, IgM+, IgA+) populations in chicken trachea.
- To correlate the infiltration and distribution of these immune cells with IBV antigen presence post-inoculation.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry and histopathology were employed to analyze chicken tracheal tissues.
- Samples were collected at various time points post-intratracheal inoculation with IBV.
- Detection and quantification of viral antigen, T-cells, and B-cells were performed.
Main Results:
- Viral antigen was detected in tracheal epithelium from 16 hours to 6 days post-inoculation, peaking at 4 days.
- B-cells (IgG+, IgM+, IgA+) appeared from 8 hours, with significant increases from 3 days p.i., peaking at 4 days.
- T-cells (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) were detected from 24 hours, rapidly increasing after 3-4 days p.i. and peaking at 5 days, with distinct distribution patterns.
Conclusions:
- Chicken tracheal immune cells, including B-cells and T-cells, exhibit distinct kinetic responses following IBV infection.
- The study provides insights into the cellular immune mechanisms involved in the chicken's defense against IBV.
- These findings contribute to understanding avian respiratory immunology and potential therapeutic targets.
Abstract:
The kinetics of T-cells (CD3 positive (+), CD4+ and CD8+ cells) and B-cells (IgG+, IgM+ and IgA+ cells) in chicken trachea were studied immunohistochemically and histopathologically following an intratracheal inoculation of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Viral antigen was detected in the cytoplasm of tracheal epithelium from 16 hr to 6 days post-inoculation (p.i.) with a peak on 4 days p.i. A few IgG+, IgM+ and IgA+ cells were detected in the submucosa from 8 hr p.i. Thereafter IgG+ and IgM+ cells were gradually increased in number, and dramatically increased from 3 days p.i., peaked on 4 days p.i., and gradually decreased after 5 days p.i. IgA+ cells were detected in a small number than IgG+ and IgM+ cells during the all experimental period. These B cells mainly existed in the lamina propria, and some cells were recognized in the interepithelial space. After 14 days p.i., small number of IgG+ and IgM+ cells were detected in the germinal center of lymph follicles in the lamina propria. From 24 to 60 hr p.i., a few number of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells were detected at the perivascular area in the lamina propria. After 3 or 4 days p.i., each positive T-cells increased rapidly in number, and reached on the peak at 5 days p.i. CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells tend to distribute diffusely, perivascular area, and surrounding area of CD4+ cells, respectively. CD4+ cells were dramatically decreased from 7 days p.i., and CD3+ and CD8+ cells were decreased from 14 days p.i. No T-cells were detected in the lymph follicles in the lamina propria.
