Research/Boosting innate immunity
From Poultry Hub
Title: Boosting innate immunity and use of cytokines for the enhancement of vaccine efficacy through manipulation of the immune system
Project Leader: Andrew Bean at CSIRO funded by Poultry CRC (Project 03-16c)
Duration of Project: 24 December 2003 to 24 December 2009
Contents |
Project overview
Immunosuppressive viral diseases threaten the poultry industry causing increased morbidity and mortality resulting in economic loss of production. The impact of this is generally through the chickens' increased susceptibility to secondary infections and sub-optimal response to vaccinations. The objective here is to assess the nature of the immune response during infection and assess the ability of chicken cytokines to enhance disease resistance and augment immunocompetence in the face of infection.
Project objectives
- Assess the cytokine profiles during infections; and
- Based on these results, make a rational determination of the appropriate cytokines to act as a potential therapeutic or vaccine adjuvants.
Project progress
We have developed novel anti-viral strategies that help boost the immune response which will be a key mechanism to overcoming immunosuppressive viral infections. Since it is clear that the establishment of a vigorous Th1 (cell mediated) type immunity is a prerequisite for effective defense against most viruses, we have focused on identifying the appropriate components of the chicken Th1 response and ascertaining the therapeutic possibility of these immune molecules in response to viral infection. Moreover, experiments are currently underway investigating the therapeutic potential of cytokine treatment with regard to Chicken Anaemia Virus (CAV) infection.
