J Vet Sci.  2011 Sep;12(3):235-241. 10.4142/jvs.2011.12.3.235.

The critical time of avian leukosis virus subgroup J-mediated immunosuppression during early stage infection in specific pathogen-free chickens

• Wang F
• Wang X
• Chen H
• Liu J
• Cheng Z

• KMID: 1067395
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.2011.12.3.235

Abstract

The critical time of avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J)-mediated immunosuppression was determined by body weight, relative immune organ weight, histopathology, and presence of group specific antigen and antibodies in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens. CD4+ and CD8+ cell activity in the spleen, total and differential leukocyte counts in blood, and viral RNA levels in spleen were measured. Significant growth suppression was observed in the two ALV-J-infected groups. A strong immune response by infected groups was present in spleen at 2-weeks-of-age, but after 4-weeks-of-age, the response decreased quickly. The thymus and bursa showed persistent immunosuppression until 4-weeks-of-age. Proliferation of fibroblasts and dendritic cells were observed in immune organs at 4- and 5-weeks-of-age. However, the granulocyte cell number was markedly lower in the infected groups than in the control group. In group 1 (day 1 infection) CD4+ cells increased during the second week but significantly decreased during the fourth week, while group 2 (day 7 infection) showed the opposite effect. Viral RNA increased significantly by the fourth week. These data identify 3~4 weeks post-infection as the key time at which the ALV-J virus exerts its immunosuppressive effects on the host.

Keyword

ALV-J; avian; immunosuppression; leukosis; leukosis virus subgroup J

MeSH Terms

Animals
Antibodies, Viral/blood
Antigens, CD4/blood
Antigens, CD8/blood
Avian Leukosis/*immunology/transmission/virology
Avian leukosis virus/classification/*immunology
Body Weight
*Chickens
China
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/veterinary
Immune Tolerance
Leukocyte Count/veterinary
Poultry Diseases/*immunology/transmission/virology
RNA, Viral/genetics
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/veterinary
Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
Spleen/immunology

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Dynamic change of body weight and relative weight of immune organs. (A) 100% of the avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) infected groups showed growth suppression. (B) Spleen showed strong immune response until 4-weeks-of-age. (C) Thymus relative weigh of infected groups showed a persistent decrease. (D) Relative weigh of bursa of Fabricius were significantly lower than the control group.

• 

  Fig. 2 Histopathology lesions from the ALV-J infected group at 4-weeks-of-age. No difference was found between group 1 (day 1 infection) and group 2 (day 7 infection). Depletion of lymphocytes in the thymus (A) and bursa of Fabricius (B). All types of cells in the bone marrow were depleted (C). Proliferation of dendritic cells in the spleen (D). Lymphocytes infiltration in the kidney (E) and liver (F). H&E stain. A, D, E and F: ×1,000, B: ×100, C: ×200. d: dendritic cell, h: hepatocyte, l: lymphocyte, r: renal tubule.

• 

  Fig. 3 Changes in CD4+/CD8+ cells number value (A) and flow cytometry analysis (B). (A) Group 1 increased until 4-weeks-of-age, then decreasing suddenly; group 2 decreased until 4-weeks-of-age, then increased. (B) Flow cytometry analysis showed the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes.

• 

  Fig. 4 Total and differential leukocyte counts (A~C) and the quantity of viral RNA (D). A significant change took place at 4-weeks-of-age in ALV-J infected groups.

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