Cell-mediated immune effector functions in chickens.
Cell-mediated immune responses form an important part of the protection against intracellular pathogens. The MHC Class I and Class II antigens are important for the proper presentation of degraded proteins to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and helper T cells, respectively. Recent developments in the knowledge of the molecular structure of the MHC in relation to antigen presentation are discussed. Although CTL are important, there is a paucity of information concerning their relevance for the control of viral diseases in poultry. A newly developed approach of stable transfection of viral genes into cell lines transformed by reticuloendotheliosis virus has shown promise as a method to define proteins, which are important for the induction of cell-mediated immunity.
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Department of Avian and Aquatic Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853.
D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000235:genetics; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology