Veterinary Immunology

Improving the immune protection of chickens through effective vaccines is highly important

Avian Immunology

Improvement of vaccine and growth strategies in chickens depends on proper monitoring of the avian immune system. In the past years, we have developed assays to measure the innate (natural killer cells, dendritic cells) and adaptive immune response (antigen specific T cells and antigen secreting B cells). With these state-of-the art tools we are now able to study immune responses in blood and spleen, but also in mucosal organs such as lung and gut. We investigate immune responses during viral infections such as avian influenza, infectious bronchitis and Marek’s Disease, as well as the development of immune responses in chicken embryos and young chickens upon hatch.

Novel vaccines
In addition to monitoring the function and frequency of immune cells, we also try to change the function of these cells. For example, we target natural killer cells via adjuvants or recombinant viruses. In this way we aim to enhance the function of the cells in order to strengthen the first line of defense against pathogens. This modulation of cells of the innate immune system may be an effective way to induce vaccine-mediated protection in young chickens, in which the adaptive immune system is not fully developed yet. Thus, studying anti-viral immune responses of for example natural killer cells may be the first step in developing novel vaccine strategies that target the innate, rather than the adaptive immune system.

Influencing chicken health
Furthermore, we use the tools we have developed to find out how the innate immune system develops in chicken embryos and young chickens upon hatch. Where do the different populations of innate immune cells develop and how do they travel through the body? Can we influence this, for example by in-ovo injection or through feed additives? Does this influence the health of the chickens and their resistance to pathogens? These are questions we are currently working on.

Student projects

 

Bovine Immunology

Based on state of the art knowledge, technology and equipment, we investigate the immunopathogenesis of these diseases in the context of vaccine development, respectively improved diagnostic methods. We conduct Tuberculosis research in collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences in Pretoria, South Africa and concerns cattle as well as several wildlife species.

    Canine Immunology

    Seen its complex nature several aspects of the disease, including (heritable) deviating immune responsiveness and options for its modulation, microbiome constitution, barrier lipid constitution/(dys)function and the role of keratinocytes in each of these, are addressed. In the larger context of chronic inflammatory diseases, a focus of the division of Immunology, recently a collaboration has started with dog, cat and human ophthalmologists. In a translational context, we investigate the immunopathogenesis of ocular inflammatory diseases with (suspected) auto-immune causes, aiming at development of immunomodulatory therapies.

    Group members

    University of Pretoria