In vitro DNA synthesis in lymphocytes from turkeys vaccinated with LaSota, TC, and inactivated Newcastle disease vaccines.

In vitro cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes from turkeys vaccinated and revaccinated with Newcastle disease (ND) vaccines were stimulated to transformation when exposed to the homologous and heterologous strains of ND virus. The mitogenesis was measured by the uptake of 3H-thymidine into newly synthesized DNA. There was considerable difference in DNA synthesis by lymphocytes drawn 0, 2, 5, and 10 days after vaccination and revaccination with the three vaccines. Stimulation of DNA synthesis, evident as early as the 2nd day, was highest in lymphocytes from turkeys vaccinated or revaccinated with TCND intramuscularly. Stimulation was least in lymphocytes from turkeys vaccinated and revaccinated with LaSota vaccine by aersol. Stimulation was intermediate from an inactivated vaccine given subcutaneously. DNA synthesis was greater with the homologous than with the heterologous strains of NDV. Synthesis was even greater when the same strain was used as a viral suspension in allantoic or cell-culture fluid than the commercial vaccine. The bovine paramyxovirus (PI3) resulted in a minimum DNA synthesis or completely inhibited it. A many-fold (order of magnitude) stimulatory effect was observed when PHA was used as an antigen. The stimulation of DNA synthesis did not parallel the HI antibody response.