title: Antigenically activated avian erythrocytes release cytokine-like factors: a conserved phylogenetic function discovered in fish.
abstract: Fish erythrocytes are endowed with the ability to produce cytokine like factors when stimulated with Candida albicans (Ca). To evaluate whether similar activities are still conserved in bird erythrocytes (BE), a morphological, cytochemical and immunological evaluation was conducted on peripheral cells in chickens (Gallus gallus). BE form rosettes with monocytes (Mo)-macrophages (MØ), and Mo-MØ according to cytochemical analysis to maintain phagocytic functions across the evolution. Finally, Ca-activated BE release in the supernatants cytokine like-factors that enhance Mo-MØ phagocytosis (interferon-gamma-like activity) and inhibit Mo-MØ migration in agarose (migration inhibitory factor activity). In conclusion, bird erythrocytes, as nonimmune cells, are able to participate in the immune response contributing to the host defence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Health and Welfare, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. l.passantino@veterinaria.uniba.it
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Passantino
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Massaro
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jirillo
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Di Modugno
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ribaud
authors.forename: G Di
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Modugno
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Passantino
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jirillo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005399:Fishes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines