Primary target cells of virulent strains of type A influenza virus in chicken embryos

Abstract

Virulent or avirulent strains of type A influenza virus were inoculated into the allantoic cavities of chicken embryos. The antigens of virulent strains appeared initially in the surface epithelium of the allantoic membrane, then in vascular endothelial cells of the chorioallantoic membrane and visceral organs of the embryos, and then spread to parenchymal cells of many organs. In contrast, the antigens of the avirulent strain were confined to the allantoic membrane. These observations indicate that the primary target of virulent influenza viruses in chicken embryos is vascular endothelial cells, and that the embryos died after systemic viral infection.

Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Influenza Virus Causes Coagulopathy in Chickens

“…As shown in Table 1, HK156/836 antigens were detected mainly in endothelial cells and monocytes/macrophages at the early stage of infection. Endothelial cells are thought to be one of the major targets for HPAI viruses in chickens as reported previously (3,6,19,23,30,32). It is thus conceivable that the endothelial dysfunction by viral infection causes systemic hemorrhage manifestations in chickens.…”

The Emergence of H7N7 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus from Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Using an in ovo Embryo Culture Model

“…In contrast, HPAIV replication is not restricted and disseminates throughout the allantoic epithelium, mesenchyme and chorionic epithelium following allantoic or CAM inoculation. HPAIV infection can result in systemic spread within the embryo, with endothelial tropism apparent in the blood vessels, which also occurs in free-living chickens [50][51][52].…”

“…In contrast, HPAIV replication is not restricted and disseminates throughout the allantoic epithelium, mesenchyme and chorionic epithelium following allantoic or CAM inoculation. HPAIV infection can result in systemic spread within the embryo, with endothelial tropism apparent in the blood vessels, which also occurs in free-living chickens [ 50 , 51 , 52 ]. Investigation of H7N1 HPAIV in chicken, turkey, Muscovy duck and mallard embryos showed that all species supported HPAIV replication with virus spread observed in endothelial cells of the CAM and embryo tissues.…”

The Effects of Antipyretics on Influenza Virus Encephalitis in Mice and Chicks

“…The organs were sectioned at a thickness of 4-µm and stained with hematoxylim and eosin (HE) for light microscopic examination. For detection of avian influenza virus antigens in the tissues, all the sections were stained using the streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase complex method (Histofine SAB-PO kit, Nichirei Corp., Tokyo) using rabbit anti-strain 499 [A/Whistling swan/Shimane/499/83 (H5N3)] hyperimmune serum [12,15] at a 1:2,000 dilution as the primary antibody.…”

“…We previously demonstrated that nasal inoculation of a neurovirulent avian influenza virus, strain 24a5b that acquired virulence for chicks and mice through serial passages in air sac and brain of chicks, caused lethal encephalitis in mice and chicks. In the murine model, the virus invades the CNS via vagus nerves after replicating in the respiratory mucosa [14,15], whereas in the chick model, it spreads hematogenously to the CNS [12,16]. It would be intriguing to investigate the effect of antipyretics on the murine and poultry models of influenzal encephalitis.…”