a brief review

Avian
system

By Karen Burns Grogan(A) Rafael J. Fernndez(B); Francisco J. Rojo Barran(B); Hctor Garca Espinosa(B)

In order to understand disease processes and vaccination, a firm understanding of the basics of the avian immune system is required. The avian immune system is composed of several lines of defense to prevent pathogen entry and infection. This review was developed to re-introduce veterinarians in the field and poultry production personnel to the complexities of this important system.
features on the surface of a pathogen, resulting in a series of events intended to eliminate that pathogen The avian immune system is divided into two types and establish protection to subsequent challenges of immunity innate and adaptive. Innate immunity (3). This specific protection can be provided by can be thought of as the most basic tools the system either passive immunity or active immunity. Passive has to fight off infection. These include physical immunity consists of the maternal antibodies that and chemical barriers, blood proteins and are present at hatch, providing protection phagocytic cells. The skin, mucosal against various pathogens the hen was epithelium, and gastric secretions are exposed to or vaccinated against. all examples of the various physical Active immunity is the immunity and chemical barriers pathogens that the bird develops through have to evade. Complement is exposure to pathogens, either by a serum protein that works with natural infection or vaccination, antibodies in order to lyse certain and can be further divided to target cells. Several blood cells have humoral and cell-mediated immunity. phagocytic functions, meaning they Certain types of antigens or modifications engulf and remove pathogens, including of antigens will preferentially lead to macrophages, heterophils, thrombocytes, and natural killer cells. Innate immunity is considered development of either cell-mediated response or the first line of defense and lacks specificity, humoral immunity against the antigen (3). Antigen protecting against multiple types of pathogens (2,3). presenting cells, like macrophages, process and present an antigen to lymphocytes, both B and T lymphocytes Adaptive immunity takes over when innate immunity (22). Those two lymphocyte types are the main cells fails to stop an invading pathogen. Adaptive immunity responsible for humoral and cell-mediated immunity. involves targeted recognition of specific molecular
(A):Chicken Stratch, LLC. Dacula, GA. USA. (B): Merial Select. Gainesville, GA. USA

Innate vs. Adaptive

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Humoral Immunity

Antibodies are the functional unit of humoral immunity. They are secreted by plasma cells, a type of B lymphocyte. When on the surface of a B cell, these molecules are immunoglobulins, following secretion they are termed antibodies. Antibodies are found in body fluids and tissue spaces and are most effective in eliminating extracellular pathogens.
tab l e 1

Isotype

Time Secreted

Primary Location

Primary Functions

IgM

Initial Ig after immunization

Serum B cell surfaces

Binds and activates the complement system

IgY

After IgM synthesis; Maternal antibody

Serum Egg Yolk

Recall response to antigens; binds to phagocytic cells, activates complement when bound to antigen Mucosal immunity, neutralizes virus and microbial toxins, prevents adherence and colonization by microbial pathogens.

IgA

Synthesis occurs constantly

Serum, Bile Mucosal surfaces Saliva, Tears

They react to surface proteins on bacteria, parasites or viruses, attaching to specific molecular features on the pathogen. Three classes or isotypes of immunoglobulins are found in the avian immune system: IgM, IgY (IgG) and IgA (12). Table 1 (see above) demonstrates a few important characteristics of the three known immunoglobulins: When an antibody interacts with the antigen, they activate or enhance effector mechanisms to assist in elimination

of the pathogen (see Figure 1). These mechanisms include activation of the classical complement pathway directly on the antigen; preparation of the antigen for phagocytosis through opsonization, agglutination or precipitation; neutralization of the antigen by preventing cellular entry (3).

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Additionally, antibodies can bind to antigens that are expressed on the outer surface of infected cells, triggering cytotoxic cells to eliminate infected or neoplastic cells in a process known as antibodydependent cellular cytotoxicity (3).

T-cells are the primary cells active in CMI, composed of several different cell types discussed later. This portion of the immune system functions through a direct effector, an activated T cell, and its target cell contact (17).

f ig u r e 1

immune response to an extracellular

Antigen
Antibody (Ab)producing plasma cell

v I

Dr. Gisela erf, university of Arkansas from watt merial ibd webinar, 2007

v vI I I v

Memory B-cell

v I

v v vI I I

Ab-mediated elimination of antigen

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v I

v v I I

v I v I

v I v vI I

v vI I I v

Antigen specific B-cell + Extra cellular antigen

v v vI I I

+ (T help)

v I

v I v I

v I

f ig u r e 2

b cell
v v vI I I

Development
v vI I I v

Progenitor B-cell (IgM+)

v vI I I v

v I

v I

v I

Proliferation and gene conversion

v I

Each developing B-cell undergoes the gene-conversion Mature, nave, process for its immunoglobulin genes, resulting in (IgM+ B-cells leave the bursa) each B-cell having its own antigen specificity v v (homogenous set of Ag-receptors). v I I I There are 10 9 antigen specificities in B-cell compartment

v I

Cell-Mediated Immunity (CMI)

For endogenous antigens or intracellular pathogens, the cell-mediated immunity is the functional aspect of the avian immune system that works to destroy the infected cell or enter the cell to eliminate the antigen (3).
Examples of actions by cell-mediated responses include activation of macrophages, cell lysis by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, all mediated by cytokines released by T helper cells or other cells. Cytokines are chemical messengers that coordinate the interactions between immune cells as one of their extensive functions. Cytokines are crucial stimulators of the initiation and maintenance of the immune response and play a role as effector molecules themselves to impact the duration and strength of the response (10). B lymphocytes originate in the lymphoid follicles of the bursa. In the bursa follicles, progenitor cells undergo a process known as gene conversion (see figure 2), creating a multitude of daughter cells each capable of recognizing individual

AVIAN IMMUNE SYSTEM

v vI I I v

Dr. Gisela erf, university of Arkansas from watt merial ibd webinar, 2007

v vI I I v

v vI I I v

v I

v vI I I v v I

v I

v I

v vI I I v

v vI I I v

v vI I I v

v I

v vI I I v

v I

v I

Lymphocyte Classes

Two types of avian lymphocytes are present B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. The letter associated with each type represents its site of differentiation B in the Bursa of Fabricius and T from the thymus (1). Each type plays different roles; B lymphocytes are more associated with humoral immunity, while T cells are the main players in cell-mediated immunity.
antigens (19). The cells will then mature, proliferate, and differentiate to form either plasma cells or memory cells. These two types of cells will produce antibodies that function to agglutinate or neutralize antigens and are the basis for maternal protection. recalled when the same antigen is encountered again, quickly differentiating into effector cells to promptly remove the antigen. Production of a wide variety of antigen-specific memory cells is the basis of disease protection and vaccination concepts (3,21).

T lymphocytes are the antigen specific cells in the CMI response, capable of recognizing a wide range of Non-Specific Immune Cells pathogens. T lymphocytes are further characterized Several other cell types play important roles in innate by their role, cell surface markers and T cell receptors. and adaptive immunity. The most significant are All T cells express a CD3 complex on their natural killer cells, macrophages and cell surface, independent of the T cell heterophils. Natural killer (NK) receptor present. T helper cells are cells are non-lymphocyte, nontypically identified by CD4 surface macrophage cytotoxic cells markers, serving primarily a that are important for lysis of regulatory role in adaptive virus infected cells and tumor immunity, both cell-mediated cells. These cells are important and humoral. T helper cells for completing the antibodyfunction to activate macrophages dependent cellular cytotoxicity by secretion of cytokines described earlier. NK cells can be and stimulate B cell growth and found in the spleen, peripheral blood, differentiation. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes thymus, bursa and intestine. These cells are can be identified by typically having CD8 on their distinguished from cytotoxic T cells since they do surface and are important in lysis of virus infected not carry antigen specific recognition molecules on cells and tumor cells (3). their surface, making them part of innate immunity When either lymphocyte class is stimulated by (3). antigen, proliferation and differentiation occurs into effector and memory cells. Memory cells are

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Important and unique functions of monocytes and macrophages included chemotaxis, phagocytosis, killing of bacteria and tumor cells and cytokine production. Chemotaxis is the migration of cells toward an inflammatory gradient and in response to various chemotactic signals derived from bacterial products or products of the immune reaction (17).
Macrophages are a part of the mononuclear phagocytic system and play roles in both innate and adaptive immunity. Macrophages are tissue forms of blood monocytes, which begin differentiation in the bone marrow (16,18). Macrophages engulf bacteria or dying red blood cells through phagocytosis. Once internalized in a phagosome, the macrophage contains lysosomes that will fuse with the phagosome to kill the bacteria. After degradation has occurred, macrophages will present bacterial peptides to immune cells, B or T lymphocytes, serving another role as antigen presenting cells. The ability of macrophages and lymphocytes to stimulate each others functions provides an important amplification mechanism for specific immunity (3). Heterophils are considered to be equivalent to mammalian neutrophils, as they are highly efficient in phagocytosis and bacterial killing. These cells respond rapidly to chemotactic stimuli and are often the first cells found in inflammatory responses. Heterophils are effector cells of humoral immunity and appear to be the main effector cells in both antibody-dependent and natural cytotoxicity (7). secondary lymphoid organs. The thymus, Bursa of Fabricius, and bone marrow are considered to be the primary avian lymphoid organs. The secondary lymphoid organs are the spleen, mucosal associated lymphoid tissues, diffuse lymphoid tissues and lymph nodes, and germinal centers (15). The thymus is a flat, multiple lobed organ, located in the neck, in close association with the vagus nerve and jugular veins. This is the primary location for development of T lymphocytes. T lymphocytes complete maturation as they move from the cortex to the medulla of the thymus, entering general circulation through medullary vessels (see image 1). The thymus also contains a population of B lymphocytes, approximately 520%, with the percentage being agedependent (15). The Bursa of Fabricius is an organ unique to birds and is the sole site of B cell maturation and differentiation (6). The bursa is a blind sac on the dorsal surface of the cloaca (see image 2), lined internally with major and minor longitudinal folds, containing the bursal follicles. Approximately 8,00012,000 follicles are found in the bursa, consisting of a medulla and a cortex, with the cortex containing large numbers of closely packed lymphocytes (15,21).

Lymphoid Organs
Various organs function to differentiate avian immune cells, either as primary lymphoid organs or

AVIAN IMMUNE SYSTEM

imag e 1

MICROSCOPIC

H & E Stain

Dr. John Barnes, NCSU CVM - 21 day old turkey

The lymphocytes are exposed to external antigens through cloacal drinking, with antigen presentation by specialized phagocytic epithelial cells to the developing lymphocytes (5). Within each follicle, the lymphocytes are undergoing the process of gene conversion to generate antigenic diversity (19). Once mature, B lymphocytes will enter the circulatory system and peripheral lymphoid organs, ready to encounter the specific antigen they are programmed to recognize. By sending the specific B lymphocytes into the periphery, the immune system maintains its ability to respond to antigens and produce humoral immunity once the bursa naturally regresses at around 14-20 weeks (15).
Image 2 - Dr. Jean Sander, Bursa of Fabricius chicken, normal, age unknown

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The spleen, a lymphocyte predominate organ, is a major site of antigen processing and antibody production in mature birds.
In the developing embryo, the spleen is a major site of granulocyte production; it then shifts to a defensive organ containing many specialized lymphocyte accumulations and macrophages important for antigen processing (15). Mucosal associated lymphoid tissues are found in numerous locations, such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, respiratory tract, and the head. The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) includes aggregated lymphoid nodules, such as the cecal

tonsils, Meckels diverticulum, Peyers patches, and a recently described esophageal tonsil (14). Collections of lymphocytes can be found throughout the GI tract in the intraepithelium (IEL) and lamina propria (LPL) layers of the walls of the intestine. These collections are mostly T cells, playing a role in antigen recognition and signal transduction (12). The cecal tonsil is the largest of the GALT centers, containing both T and B lymphocytes. The cecal tonsil can serve as an alternative location for B cell differentiation and plays a role in antibody production and cell-mediated immune functions. The cecal tonsil is considered a prime site for virus isolation for diseases past the acute stage

AVIAN IMMUNE SYSTEM

of infection, especially important in isolating infectious bronchitis. Peyers patches are dense lymphoid cell accumulations that can occur in various locations along the GI tract, with the most consistent location being at the ileocecal junction. These patches appear to be the major inductive site for IgA responses to pathogenic organisms and undigested antigens (12). Meckels diverticulum, the yolk sac remnant on the small intestine, becomes a highly developed lymphoid tissue containing germinal centers or B cells and macrophages (10).

Within the head several lymphoid tissues exist and are collectively referred to as head associated lymphoid tissues (HALT). HALT includes the Harderian gland, lacrimal gland, conjunctival associated lymphoid tissue, lymphoid cell infiltrates of the lamina propria of the nasal cavity and other structures in the larynx and nasopharynx. The Harderian gland is located behind the eyeball within the orbit and is the major secondary lymphoid organ of the HALT. The Harderian gland contains large numbers of plasma cells, with 80-90% of the cell population being B cells. With such a large plasma cell population, this gland The respiratory tract contains tracheal and bronchial serves as the major antibody secreting accessory associate lymphoid tissues. Along the trachea, a gland of the lacrimal apparatus and is important in small degree of lymphoid infiltration in the lamina development of vaccinal immunity (15). Antibody propria is normal, with the amount dependent levels in tears have been demonstrated to be specific on age and antigenic stimulation. Commercial and locally produced for respiratory pathogens such chickens in good health have well developed as infectious bronchitis virus (4). lymphoid tissue in the trachea due to vaccination and environmental antigenic stimulation (15). Bronchial associate lymphoid tissue (BALT) is composed of both B and T lymphocytes, forming distinct nodules along the primary bronchus and secondary bronchus. The BALT also contains lymphoepithelium, dendritic cells, macrophages, heterophils and when stimulated plasma cells and germinal centers (20). In the avian respiratory tract, heterophils are an important component of defense as bronchial tree macrophages are relatively scarce (7,20).

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Tools to measure immune responses

Classical immunology tests to measure the cell-mediated immune response are time-consuming and cumbersome, limiting their use to research purposes.
Examining the cell-mediated or humoral immune response can by accomplished by using chemical or surgical means to replicate T or B cell depletion. Mitogen assays are used to examine transformation of lymphoid cells following exposure to nonspecific mitogens substances that induce cell division. Recently through the ability to produce monoclonal antibodies to avian cytokines, a potential diagnostic test has been reported that appears to reflect the CMI response to a pathogen. An enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) test has been developed to detect chicken interferon- after antigen recall stimulation or vaccination. By selecting a cytokine common to all immune responses, this ELISA has the potential to be utilized for a variety of pathogens (11). This test could become a future diagnostic tool available to more accurate reflect CMI responses to poultry diseases. Diagnostic tools routinely used to determine disease exposure and vaccine response measure antibody levels produced in response to a particular antigen. The simplest of these tests include the Mycoplasma plate agglutination tests, when a clumping reaction is observed when antibodies are present in serum reflective of active infection. Traditional serological diagnostic tests like hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and ELISA measure antibody responses to a wide assortment of avian pathogens. New molecular techniques are being used to further the understanding of the avian immune system and develop potential diagnostic tests. Monoclonal antibodies have been developed to recognize avian cell populations (8) and have been used to examine the roles of cell types in their various locations within the bird. Cytokines important for T cell function have been sequenced and cloned, with recombinant cytokines available for detection, quantification, and neutralization of cytokine production (3).

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References
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