Adjuvant effects of IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-8, IL-15, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma TGF-beta4 and lymphotactin on DNA vaccination against Eimeria acervulina.

Eight chicken cytokine genes (IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-8, IL-15, IFN-alpha, IFN-gamma, TGF-beta4, lymphotactin) were evaluated for their adjuvant effect on a suboptimal dose of an Eimeria DNA vaccine carrying the 3-1E parasite gene (pcDNA3-1E). Chickens were given two subcutaneous injections with 50 microg of the pcDNA3-1E vaccine plus a cytokine expression plasmid 2 weeks apart and challenged with Eimeria acervulina 1 week later. IFN-alpha (1 microg) or 10 microg of lymphotactin expressing plasmids, when given simultaneously with the pcDNA3-1E vaccine, significantly protected against body weight loss induced by E.

Modulation of functional activities of chicken heterophils by recombinant chicken IFN-gamma.

The objective of the present studies was to examine the in vitro effects of recombinant chicken interferon-gamma (rChIFN-gamma) on shape change, phagocytosis, and the oxidative/nonoxidative killing activities of day-old chicken heterophils. Heterophils (4 x 10(6)/ml) were incubated with various concentrations of recombinant ChIFN-gamma from both Escherichia coli and transfected Cos cells for 2 h at 39 degrees C. The incubation of the neonatal heterophils with rChIFN-gamma resulted in significantly greater numbers of cells with membrane shape change when compared with the mock-treated heterophils.

cDNA cloning of biologically active chicken interleukin-18.

By searching a chicken EST database, we identified a cDNA clone that appeared to contain the entire open reading frame (ORF) of chicken interleukin-18 (ChIL-18). The encoded protein consists of 198 amino acids and exhibits approximately 30% sequence identity to IL-18 of humans and various others mammals. Sequence comparisons reveals a putative caspase-1 cleavage site at aspartic acid 29 of the primary translation product, indicating that mature ChIL-18 might consist of 169 amino acids.

Immunoadjuvant activities of E. coli- and plasmid-expressed recombinant chicken IFN-alpha/beta, IFN-gamma and IL-1beta in 1-day- and 3-week-old chickens.

In the present study we assessed the capacity of recombinant E. coli- or plasmid-expressed chicken interferons (IFN) and chicken IL-1beta, to exert immunostimulatory activities for humoral immune responses, in day-old and adult chickens. We observed that both recombinant E.

Novel chicken CXC and CC chemokines.

Upon stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) the chicken macrophage cell line HD-11 secretes factors with cytokine activity. To characterize these molecules, representational difference analysis with RNA of LPS-induced and uninduced HD-11 cells was performed. Two cDNA clones were isolated that code for polypeptides with structural features of chemokines.

Protective effects of type I and type II interferons toward Rous sarcoma virus-induced tumors in chickens.

Growth of tumors induced by Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) is controlled by alleles at the major histocompatibility complex locus in chickens, indicating that immunological host defense mechanisms play a major role. We show here that the resistance phenotype of CB regressor chickens can be partially reverted by treating the animals with a monoclonal antibody that neutralizes the major serotype of chicken type I interferon, ChIFN-alpha. Injection of recombinant ChIFN-alpha into susceptible CC progressor chickens resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of RSV-induced tumor development.

A chicken homolog of mammalian interleukin-1 beta: cDNA cloning and purification of active recombinant protein.

Upon induction with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) the chicken macrophage cell line HD-11 secretes an activity that stimulates the synthesis of a CXC chemokine in the chicken fibroblast cell line CEC-32. We used a cDNA expression cloning strategy in COS cells to characterize this activity. The isolated cDNA clone codes for a polypeptide of 267 amino acids which lacks a hydrophobic N-terminal domain that could serve as secretory signal.

Vaccinia virus-encoded cytokine receptor binds and neutralizes chicken interferon-gamma.

To counteract the host immune response, poxviruses have evolved secreted factors that bind cytokines and thereby neutralize their biological activities. The vaccinia virus B8R gene encodes a protein that neutralizes interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) from several mammals including man, cow, rat, and rabbit but not mice. We now report that the activity of the B8R gene product is not restricted to cytokines of mammals: it also efficiently neutralized chicken IFN-gamma.

Biological properties of recombinant chicken interferon-gamma.

Supernatants of the chicken T cell line 855 contain antiviral and macrophage activating factor activity and strongly activate transcription of the guanylate binding protein (GBP) gene in chicken cells. To characterize the cytokine responsible for the GBP-inducing activity, we chose a cDNA expression cloning strategy in COS cells. Sequencing a positive clone revealed that it encode chicken interferon-gamma (ChIFN-gamma).

Vesicular stomatitis virus transcription inhibited by purified MxA protein.

MxA is a GTPase encoded by an interferon-inducible human gene. Its constitutive expression renders transfected mammalian cells resistant to infections with several different RNA viruses, including vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). Differences in viral RNA levels of VSV-infected cells either expressing or lacking MxA indicated that VSV mRNA synthesis is the principal target of MxA action.