Development of lymphocyte subpopulations in local breed chickens

Abstract

Background and Aim: Local breeds of chicken are known to have relatively higher disease resistance to many endemic diseases and diseases that are highly virulent in commercial chickens. This study aimed to address the lymphocyte subpopulations in three constitutive immune system organs (thymus, bursa of Fabricius, and spleen) in 30, 8-week-old, male local breed chickens. Materials and Methods: The T (CD3+) and B lymphocytes (Bu-1+) were identified through one-color, direct immunofluorescent staining of the thymus, bursa, and spleen lymphocytes. Likewise, two-color, direct immunofluorescent staining was performed to identify the CD4- and/or CD8-defined T lymphocytes. The proportions of T and B lymphocytes and CD4- and/or CD8 defined chicken lymphocyte subsets in lymphoid suspensions prepared from the thymus, bursa, and spleen were determined by flow cytometry. Results: CD3+ cells, particularly those positive for CD4+CD8–, were dominant in the thymus, whereas cells expressing the Bu-1 marker were predominant in the bursa of Fabricius. The proportion of T and B cells was almost equal in the spleen, with more cells expressing the CD4–CD8+ marker in the red pulp. Conclusion: These findings indicate that local breeds of chicken could serve as a reliable model for studying the immune system of commercial light chicken breeds, due to the similarity in the presence and the distribution of the immune cells.

Histomorphometrical and Immunohistochemical Study of the Maturation of Bursa of Fabricius in Rose Male Broiler Chicken at Post-Hatching Period

“…The present immunohistochemical results indicated that the (BCs+) were mainly located in both cortex and medulla of the LFs confirming with the findings of [15] in Nandanam chicken and [31]. However, Al-Ogaili and Hameed, [32] reported that around 98% of the lymphocyte population in the BF expressed the Bu-1 marker in chicken, while Sayegh et al [33] and Kozlu et al [34] also reported results for CD79a, CD79b and CD79αcy when examining B-receptor complexes in the BF in chicken and turkey. Our results showed BF provides a microenvironment essential for proper B-lymphocyte maturation.…”

Insights into microstructure and expression of markers of proliferation, apoptosis and T cells in the spleen of cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis)

“…These cells are probably brought in large numbers through the bloodstream from primary immune organs including the thymus to act as local guardians against infectious agents. Indeed, the number of CD3 + T cells was estimated to be 2.5 times higher in the chicken spleen than in the thymus, as shown by flow cytometry (Al‐Ogaili & Hameed, 2021). The total T‐cell population within the cattle egret spleen is expected to be higher than within the chicken spleen as the lymphoid follicles, clustered structures formed mainly by B cells in the chicken spleen (Oláh et al., 2014), are absent in cattle egret spleen.…”

“…higher in the chicken spleen than in the thymus, as shown by flow cytometry(Al-Ogaili & Hameed, 2021). The total T-cell population within the cattle egret spleen is expected to be higher than within the chicken spleen as the lymphoid follicles, clustered structures formed mainly by B cells in the chicken spleen(Oláh et al, 2014), are absent in cattle egret spleen.…”

Distinct Whole Transcriptomic Profiles of the Bursa of Fabricius in Muscovy Ducklings Infected by Novel Duck Reovirus with Different Virulence

“…The transcriptomic data of our study fill the gap in the landscape of immune cell development in the bursa of Fabricius of Muscovy ducks. As a central immune organ for B-lymphocytes development unique to birds [ 25 , 26 ], the bursa of Fabricius starts to hatch B-cells at the embryonic stages [ 27 ], but the microenvironment of it that is really beneficial to B-cell maturation is at the neonatal stage [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Previous studies have determined that the spleen and bursa of Fabricius are the primary target organs by reovirus [ 17 ], and the consequent immunosuppression usually leads to the deficient B-cells unable to produce an antigen response in young waterfowls [ 31 ].…”