Early Replication in Pulmonary B Cells After Infection with Marek's Disease Herpesvirus by the Respiratory Route

• Published in: Viral immunology Vol. 22; no. 6; pp. 431 - 444
• Main Authors: Baaten, B.J.G., Staines, K.A., Smith, L.P., Skinner, H., Davison, T.F., Butter, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Mary Ann Liebert, Inc 01.12.2009
• Subjects: Animals; B-Lymphocytes - virology; Bursa of Fabricius - immunology; Chickens - immunology; Chickens - virology; Complications and side effects; Cytokines - biosynthesis; Cytokines - genetics; DNA replication; DNA, Viral - analysis; Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic; Feathers - virology; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Herpesvirus 2, Gallid - isolation & purification; Herpesvirus 2, Gallid - physiology; Insufflation; Lung - immunology; Lung - pathology; Lung - virology; Lymphocyte Depletion; Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; Marek Disease - immunology; Marek Disease - pathology; Marek Disease - virology; Marek's disease; Pathogenesis; Physiological aspects; Skin - virology; Spleen - immunology; Spleen - pathology; Spleen - virology; T cells; T-Lymphocytes - immunology; Time Factors; Trachea; Viral Load; Virus Replication; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 0882-8245; 1557-8976
• DOI: 10.1089/vim.2009.0047

Natural infection with Marek's disease virus occurs through the respiratory mucosa after chickens inhale dander shed from infected chickens. The early events in the lung following exposure to the feather and squamous epithelial cell debris containing the viral particles remain unclear. In order to elucidate the virological and immunological consequences of MDV infection for the respiratory tract, chickens were infected by intratracheal administration of infective dander. Differences between susceptible and resistant chickens were immediately apparent, with delayed viral replication and earlier onset of interferon (IFN)-γ production in the latter. CD4 + and CD8 + T cells surrounded infected cells in the lung. Although viral replication was evident in macrophages, pulmonary B cells were the main target cell type in susceptible chickens following intratracheal infection with MDV. In accordance, depletion of B cells curtailed viremia and substantially affected pathogenesis in susceptible chickens. Together the data described here demonstrate the role of pulmonary B cells as the primary and predominant target cells and their importance for MDV pathogenesis.