A novel monoclonal antibody against the constant region of goose immunoglobulin light chain

Evolutional conservation of molecular structure and antiviral function of a type I interferon, IFN-kappa, in poultry

IFN-kappa (IFN-κ) is a type I IFN expressed by keratinocytes, monocytes and dendritic cells with important roles during the innate immune response period. This research was conducted to elaborate the evolution and characteristics of IFN-κ in poultry. Chicken IFN-κ is located on the sex-determining Z chromosome, which is greatly different from mammals. Poultry IFN-κ cluster together in a species-specific manner through positive selection pressure and share only 19-33% homology with mammalian IFN-κ and poultry other type I IFN. Both chicken and duck IFN-κ was constitutively expressed in spleen, skin, lung, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), as well as being significantly induced after treatment with virus in PBMC. Biologically, poultry IFN-κ has antiviral activity against VSV in chicken embryonic fibroblasts and duck embryonic fibroblasts (CEF and DEF) cells, and induces the expression of IFN stimulated genes (ISGs). After treatment with JAK1 inhibitor, the ISGs expression can be down-regulated. Overall, our research on poultry IFN-κ not only enriches the knowledge about IFN-κ but also facilitates further research on the role of type I IFNs in antiviral defense responses in poultry.

Molecular characterization and B cell membrane expression analysis of Fc fragment gene of goose IgY

A novel goose immunoglobulin υ chain (Igυ) Fc fragment gene was cloned from splenic tissue mRNA using RT-PCR. Deduced amino acid sequence data from different vertebrates revealed high similarity to IgY-Fc fragments of duck (91%) and chicken (64%). Molecular characterization showed that the goose IgY-Fc fragment was consistent with the definition of immunoglobulin, and had the same antigenicity to natural IgY. Flow cytometry and laser scanning confocal microscopy showed that the polyclonal antibody against GoυFc reacted with the membrane surface of B lymphocytes in peripheral blood, which indicates that IgY was expressed on the surface of B cells. Analyses of the gene sequence of the goose IgY-Fc fragment and expression of B cell membrane may provide insight into the evolution of the Ig heavy chain gene family and benefit future studies on the avian immune system.