title: Immunological basis of differences in disease resistance in the chicken.
abstract: Genetic resistance to diseases is a multigenic trait governed mainly by the immune system and its interactions with many physiologic and environmental factors. In the adaptive immunity, T cell and B cell responses, the specific recognition of antigens and interactions between antigen presenting cells, T cells and B cells are crucial. It occurs through a network of mediator proteins such as the molecules of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), T cell receptors, immunoglobulins and secreted proteins such as the cytokines and antibodies. The diversity of these proteins that mainly is due to an intrinsic polymorphism of the genes causes phenotypic variation in disease resistance. The well-known linkage of MHC polymorphism and Marek's disease resistance difference represents a classic model revealing immunological factors in resistance differences and diversity of mediator molecules. The molecular bases in any resistance variation to infectious pathogens are vaguely understood. This paper presents a review of the major immune mediators involved in resistance and susceptibility to infectious diseases and their functional mechanisms in the chicken. The genetic interaction of disease resistance with production traits and the environment is mentioned.
authors.affiliation: ID-Lelystad, Institute for Animal Science and Health, The Netherlands. B.Zekarias@id.wag-ur.nl
authors.forename: Bereket
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zekarias
authors.forename: Agnes A H M
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ter Huurne
authors.forename: Wil J M
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Landman
authors.forename: Johanna M J
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rebel
authors.forename: Jan M A
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pol
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gruys
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D007125:Immunogenetics; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000235:genetics; D008380:Marek Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D010641:Phenotype; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell