http://www.loc.gov/mods/v3 http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/v3/mods-3-2.xsd
decrease of circulating CD4⁺ T cells in Attwater's prairie chickens infected with reticuloendotheliosis virus
A problem encountered by captive breeding facilities attempting to save the Attwater's prairie chicken (APC; Tympanuchus cupido attwateri) from extinction is infection with reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV). REV is known to be immunosuppressive. However the factors contributing to immunosuppression in infected birds are not fully understood. Understanding the effects of REV infection on the immune system of these birds is crucial in understanding the pathogenesis of this virus. The objective of this project was to develop a method to monitor CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in prairie chickens and to determine if there was an alteration in the number of circulating T cells associated with REV infection in prairie chickens. A panel of anti-chicken monoclonal antibodies (mAb) was screened for reactivity to prairie chicken leukocytes using indirect fluorescent labeling and bow cytometry analysis. Monoclonal antibodies reactive to prairie chicken leukocytes were used to characterize white blood cells in the peripheral blood of prairie chickens. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from REV infected and uninfected APC were examined to determine if there were differences in T-lymphocyte subpopulations. There were no statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences in the percentage of CD8⁺ T cells, macrophages and thrombocytes, and leukocytes between PBMC from REV infected and uninfected APC. However, the percentage of PBMC labeled by anti-CD4 mAb were significantly lower in the REV infected APC compared to the uninfected APC (P = 0.0018). These data indicate that REV infection in APC is associated with a drop in CD4⁺ T cells, therefore suggesting a contributing factor to immunosuppressive. CD4⁺ T cells are pivotal in an immune response to viral infection in their ability to either stimulate B cells to produce antibody or to activate cytotoxic T cells. Hence, a loss of these cells can be detrimental to an animal. This is the first report identifying leukocyte phenotypes in prairie chickens using anti-chicken monoclonal antibodies and of a decrease of CD4⁺ T cells in REV infected birds.
"Major subject: Veterinary Microbiology".
Issued also on microfiche from Lange Micrographics.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves 35-39).