Researchers have identified a previously unknown population of immune cells in chickens that could help inform the development of vaccines offering more consistent protection across poultry breeds.
The discovery, by scientists at the University of Bristol Veterinary School and The Pirbright Institute, provides the first clear evidence that birds possess lipid-reactive natural killer T (NKT)-like cells, similar to those found in mammals.
Published in the European Journal of Immunology, the study found that the cells respond to a naturally occurring fat molecule called GM3, alongside chemical signals released when the immune system detects a potential threat.
Once activated, the cells release signalling molecules that recruit other immune cells to help combat infections, including those caused by Salmonella and E. coli. They can also directly destroy virus-infected or damaged cells.
Shahriar Behboudi, professor of immunology at Bristol Veterinary School and senior author of the study, said: “The discovery changes our understanding of how the avian immune system works and highlights a promising new route for vaccine development.”
The research was supported by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.