Biomaterial Database

The mechanism of genetic resistance to Marek's disease in chickens. 1982

P C Powell, and L F Lee, and B M Mustill, and M Rennie

Genetic resistance to Marek's disease in RPL line-6 chickens is expressed not only at the level of host immunological responses against virus an tumour antigens, but also at the level of target lymphoid cells for virus infection and transformation. The nature of the target cell involved was investigated. Spleen cells from susceptible line-7 chickens adsorbed more Marek's disease virus and turkey herpesvirus in vitro than line-6 spleen cells. In the case of Marek's disease virus this was reflected in the replicative ability of the virus in vivo. Transplantation of thymus fragments from 1-day-old line-7 chickens into thymectomized line-6 chickens conferred a high degree of susceptibility on the latter, but the transplantation of spleen or fragments had no significant effect. The reverse procedure, i.e. grafting of line-6 thymi into line-7 chickens, did not diminish the susceptibility of the recipients. In each treatment group the observed titres of leukocyte-associated viraemia correlated with the susceptibility of the group to Marek's disease. Histologically the grafted thymus fragments became depleted of lymphocytes immediately after transplantation. By 6 days there was substantial recovery, apparently as a result of re-population of the thymic epithelium by host stem cells. This was confirmed by transplanting thymus fragments between individuals of opposite sexes. Karyotype analysis showed that the thymus contained lymphocytes of the sex of the recipient. However, karyotype analysis of lymphoma cells taken from recipient line-6 chickens that had received thymus grafts from line-7 birds of the opposite sex showed that, in the majority of cases, the lymphomas consisted of cells of donor origin. It is concluded that the susceptibility of line-7 chickens is largely attributable to the greater susceptibility of their T-lymphocytes to infection and transformation by Marek's disease virus, and that this susceptibility can be transferred to genetically resistant line-6 birds by adoptive transfer of the cells in the form of thymus fragments.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007113	Immunity, Innate	The capacity of a normal organism to remain unaffected by microorganisms and their toxins. It results from the presence of naturally occurring ANTI-INFECTIVE AGENTS, constitutional factors such as BODY TEMPERATURE and immediate acting immune cells such as NATURAL KILLER CELLS.	Immunity, Native,Immunity, Natural,Immunity, Non-Specific,Resistance, Natural,Innate Immune Response,Innate Immunity,Immune Response, Innate,Immune Responses, Innate,Immunity, Non Specific,Innate Immune Responses,Native Immunity,Natural Immunity,Natural Resistance,Non-Specific Immunity
D007621	Karyotyping	Mapping of the KARYOTYPE of a cell.	Karyotype Analysis Methods,Analysis Method, Karyotype,Analysis Methods, Karyotype,Karyotype Analysis Method,Karyotypings,Method, Karyotype Analysis,Methods, Karyotype Analysis
D008214	Lymphocytes	White blood cells formed in the body's lymphoid tissue. The nucleus is round or ovoid with coarse, irregularly clumped chromatin while the cytoplasm is typically pale blue with azurophilic (if any) granules. Most lymphocytes can be classified as either T or B (with subpopulations of each), or NATURAL KILLER CELLS.	Lymphoid Cells,Cell, Lymphoid,Cells, Lymphoid,Lymphocyte,Lymphoid Cell
D008297	Male		Males
D008380	Marek Disease	A transmissible viral disease of birds caused by avian herpesvirus 2 (HERPESVIRUS 2, GALLID) and other MARDIVIRUS. There is lymphoid cell infiltration or lymphomatous tumor formation in the peripheral nerves and gonads, but may also involve visceral organs, skin, muscle, and the eye.	Fowl Paralysis,Marek's Disease,Fowl Paralyses,Mareks Disease,Paralyses, Fowl,Paralysis, Fowl
D008381	Herpesvirus 2, Gallid	The type species of the genus MARDIVIRUS in the family HERPESVIRIDAE. It is the etiologic agent of MAREK DISEASE, infecting domestic fowl and wild birds.	Fowl Paralysis Virus,Marek's Disease Herpesvirus 1,Marek's Disease Virus Serotype 1,Neurolymphomatosis Virus,Gallid Herpesvirus 2,Herpesvirus 2 (gamma), Gallid,Marek Disease Herpesvirus 1,Fowl Paralysis Viruses,Neurolymphomatosis Viruses,Paralysis Virus, Fowl,Paralysis Viruses, Fowl
D002460	Cell Line	Established cell cultures that have the potential to propagate indefinitely.	Cell Lines,Line, Cell,Lines, Cell
D002471	Cell Transformation, Neoplastic	Cell changes manifested by escape from control mechanisms, increased growth potential, alterations in the cell surface, karyotypic abnormalities, morphological and biochemical deviations from the norm, and other attributes conferring the ability to invade, metastasize, and kill.	Neoplastic Transformation, Cell,Neoplastic Cell Transformation,Transformation, Neoplastic Cell,Tumorigenic Transformation,Cell Neoplastic Transformation,Cell Neoplastic Transformations,Cell Transformations, Neoplastic,Neoplastic Cell Transformations,Neoplastic Transformations, Cell,Transformation, Cell Neoplastic,Transformation, Tumorigenic,Transformations, Cell Neoplastic,Transformations, Neoplastic Cell,Transformations, Tumorigenic,Tumorigenic Transformations
D002472	Cell Transformation, Viral	An inheritable change in cells manifested by changes in cell division and growth and alterations in cell surface properties. It is induced by infection with a transforming virus.	Transformation, Viral Cell,Viral Cell Transformation,Cell Transformations, Viral,Transformations, Viral Cell,Viral Cell Transformations
D002645	Chickens	Common name for the species Gallus gallus, the domestic fowl, in the family Phasianidae, order GALLIFORMES. It is descended from the red jungle fowl of SOUTHEAST ASIA.	Gallus gallus,Gallus domesticus,Gallus gallus domesticus,Chicken