Chinese goose (Anser cygnoides) CD8a: Cloning, tissue distribution and immunobiological in splenic mononuclear cells

- The full-length cDNA of CD8α in Chinese goose was cloned for the first time.
- The tissue distribution of goose CD8α mRNA was assessed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.
- The expression of CD8α mRNA in the immune-related tissues of adult goose and gosling.
- Effect of NGVEV infection on CD8α mRNA in the immune-related tissues of gosling.
- Effects of LPS and PHA on CD8α mRNA expression in goose spleen MNCs.

CD8 molecule is a cell membrane glycoprotein, which plays an important role in cell-mediated immunity. Here, we identified Chinese goose CD8α (goCD8α) gene for the first time. The full-length cDNA of goCD8α is 1459 bp in length and contains a 711 bp open reading frame. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the waterfowl CD8α formed a monophyletic group. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that transcripts of goCD8α mRNA were high in the immune-related organs and mucosal immune system in gosling, and high in thymus and spleen comparing to other immune-related tissues in goose. The obvious increase of CD8α expression was observed in spleen of acute new type gosling viral enteritis virus (NGVEV) infected bird, while the increase of CD8α were observed in the thymus, bursa of fabricius, and cecum of chronic infected bird. The CD8α mRNA transcription level in spleen mononuclear cells was significantly up-regulated when stimulated by phytohemagglutinin, but not by lipopolysaccharide in vitro.