Genetic control of the response of chicken T lymphocytes to concanavalin A: cellular localization of the low responder defect

Abstract

Genetic variation in the response of chicken lymphocytes to the T cell mitogen concanavalin A (Con A) has previously been studied by assaying tritiated thymidine [( 3H]dThd) uptake of cultured cells following mitogen stimulation. Our present results show, firstly, that low [3H]dThd uptake (e.g. in cultures of Con A-stimulated cells from low responder CB, CC or G-B1-lo birds) is correlated with low proliferative activity and with reduced capacity to form Con A-dependent T cell colonies in semi-solid agar. Secondly, in cultures containing mixtures of cells from high and low responder birds, the cells from each partner respond independently to Con A (there is neither suppression of high responder, nor activation of low responder cell proliferation). Finally, Con A-stimulated cultures of high responder cells respond better to T cell growth factors, as well as producing more growth factor activity, than cultures of low responder cells. These results suggest that the basis for the low responder phenotype is an intrinsic inability of low responder T lymphocytes to respond to Con A by differentiating into growth factor-sensitive blast cells.

Activation by mitogens and superantigens of axolotl lymphocytes: functional characterization and ontogenic study

“…22,23 Endogenous features have to be considered for this high individual variability. The hypothesis of the existence of 'high responder' and 'low responder' has been described in other species such as the carp 21 and the chicken, 24 and related in this latter species to a genetic polymorphism (at least for the Con A response). The activation state of cells in vivo is itself rather variable, and is visible by the background proliferation (without any mitogen added in vitro).…”

Histocompatible Chicken Inbred Lines: Homogeneities in the Major Histocompatibility Complex Antigens of the GSP, GSN/1, PNP/DO and BM-C Inbred Lines Assessed by Hemagglutination, Mixed Lymphocyte Reaction and Skin Transplantation

“…This difference in antibody response has also been observed based on immunity induced by Mycoplasma gallissepticum bacterin [41]. The relatively low stimulation responses obtained in the PNP/DO and BM-C inbred lines can be explained by the low responder phenotype, which is an intrinsic inability of T-lymphocytes to respond to certain antigens/stimulators by differentiating into growth factor-sensitive blast cells [29]. Based on the results of skin transplantation (Table 3), there was no heterogeneity in the MHC antigens related to histocompatibility observed within inbred lines, and also the GSP and GSN/1 inbred lines were histocompatible.…”

Contribution of the TCRβ Repertoire to Marek’s Disease Genetic Resistance in the Chicken

“…We broadly characterized the T cell repertoires and responses of MD-resistant and MD-susceptible chickens using two pairs of inbred chicken lines, in order to identify immune responses that correlate with a resistant phenotype in vivo. Initially we hypothesized that intrinsic activation capacity in peripheral (i.e., splenic) T cells might differ between lines in our MHC-matched model, in accordance with an early hypothesis that T cell infection relies on activation [ 75 ] and, thus, susceptible birds may have more easily activated T cells in general; differences in mitogen response have been historically observed and studied in inbred chicken lines [ 76 , 77 , 78 ], including lines 6 and 7 [ 30 , 31 , 79 ]. At early timepoints, CD4+ cells did not significantly differ in proliferative response to mitogen stimulation, although there was a trend toward increased responsiveness in the resistant line; however, by 36 days of age, differences in both CD4+ and CD8+ responses to ConA became highly significant, which may indicate an age-acquired advantage in mitogen response in the resistant line.…”