The host genotype influences infectious bursal disease virus pathogenesis in chickens by modulation of T cells responses and cytokine gene expression

The immunopathogenesis of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) was investigated in different layer and broiler type chickens in comparison to highly susceptible specific-pathogen-free layers (SPF-Wh-LT) often used for experimental studies. Layer-type chickens (LT) of all genetic backgrounds showed significantly higher IBDV antigen loads in the bursa of Fabricius (BF) compared to broiler type birds (BT) (P < 0.05). The variation between IBDV-infected and virus-free birds in the percentage of splenic and intrabursal B cells, T cells and macrophages differed between genetic backgrounds as well as the expression levels of cytokines. The most susceptible SPF-Wh-LT showed high levels of circulating type I IFN starting at 2 days post infection (dpi) up to 7 dpi coinciding with clinical IBD, while less susceptible birds showed a delayed response. Circulating cytokine levels were poorly associated neither with intrabursal nor with splenic mRNA expression of these cytokines. Detected cytokines varied in expression levels and timing between infected groups of different genetic background. These data suggest that variations in the activity of immune cell populations contribute to differences in infectious bursal disease between birds of various genetic backgrounds.

► IBDV pathogenesis was compared between different genetic backgrounds of chickens.
► Lesions, antigen-load, immune cell populations and cytokine response were measured.
► The cytokine response may determine the development of clinical IBD.