Abstract
The discovery of mammalian pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESC) has revolutionised cell research and regenerative medicine. More recently discovered chicken ESC (cESC), though less intensively studied, are increasingly popular as vaccine substrates due to a dearth of avian cell lines. Information on the comparative performance of cESC with common vaccine viruses is limited. Using RNA-sequencing, we compared cESC transcriptional programmes elicited by stimulation with chicken type I interferon or infection with vaccine viruses routinely propagated in primary chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF). We used poxviruses (fowlpox virus (FWPV) FP9, canarypox virus (CNPV), and modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)) and a birnavirus (infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) PBG98). Interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) were induced in cESC to levels comparable to those in CEF and immortalised chicken fibroblast DF-1 cells. cESC are permissive (with distinct host transcriptional responses) to MVA, FP9, and CNPV but, surprisingly, not to PBG98. MVA, CNPV, and FP9 suppressed innate immune responses, while PBG98 induced a subset of ISGs. Dysregulation of signalling pathways (i.e., NFκB, TRAF) was observed, which might affect immune responses and viral replication. In conclusion, we show that cESC are an attractive alternative substrate to study and propagate poxvirus recombinant vaccine vectors.
Highlights
Despite advances in cell line development, embryonated eggs and primary chicken embryonic fibroblasts (CEF) derived from them remain the main avian substrate for the study of avian viruses and the production of vaccines
We aimed to identify with RNA-sequencing the genes involved in the Chicken ESC (cESC)-specific innate immune response, and determine restriction or permissiveness toward virus infection and replication
We show that cESC are responsive to exogenous recombinant chIFN-α in terms of general interferon regulated genes (IRGs) mRNA expression and are permissive to MVA, FP9, and canarypox virus (CNPV) but not to infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) PBG98
Summary
Despite advances in cell line development, embryonated eggs and primary chicken embryonic fibroblasts (CEF) derived from them remain the main avian substrate for the study of avian viruses and the production of vaccines (both avian and human). Their use is associated with limitations [1] such as high cost, security of supply (being vulnerable, for instance, to outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry), batch-to-batch reproducibility, risk of adventitious infections, and lengthy production processes. Chicken ESC (cESC) have been derived from cultures of blastodermal cells taken from stage X-XIII chick embryos [6,7]. They are positive for alkaline phosphatase and the SSEA1 antigen, and can differentiate into various cell types in vitro or when injected into recipient embryos [7,8]. cESC can be grown and maintained relatively easy in culture and can sustain their phenotypic characteristics after extensive expansion [7,9]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
