Cytokines as Effective Elements of the Avian Immune System

Abstract

<p class=MsoListParagraph style=margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;page-break-after:avoid;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1> <span style=font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family: times= new= roman;mso-fareast-language:en-us;= mso-no-proof:yes=>1. <span style=font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;color:black;mso-themecolor: text1>Abstract The immune system is generally divided into two main branches: the adaptive (specific) and the innate (non-specific) immune responses. Components of the immune system (i.e. adaptive and innate) include T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, macrophages, Natural Killer (NK) cells, heterophils, basophils, diverse humoral communication factors such as eicosanoids and cytokines (e.g., interleukins, interferons, tumour necrosis factor) and effector molecules (e.g. immunoglobulins, complement, lysozymes, nitric oxide). Additionally, some tissues in the body are dedicated to support the immune system such as dendritic, reticular and stromal cells. Regulation, interaction, and communication between various elements of the specific and the innate immune responses result into birds possessing a highly sophisticated immune system, capable of protecting against invading pathogens. In addition to the various types of cells that are involved in the innate immunity, there are soluble physiological elements that play a role in defending the host from invading foreign substances and pathogens. Cellular and soluble elements coordinate in a sophisticated network of interactions to mount an effective innate and adaptive immune responses capable of eliminating foreign antigens. These soluble physiological elements include: complement proteins, lysozyme, acute phase proteins, and cytokines. The current paper sheds light on cytokines as effective elements of the avian immune system. <p class=MsoListParagraph style=margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto; text-align:justify;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1> <span style=font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family: times= new= roman=>2. <span style=font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;color:black;mso-themecolor:text1>Keywords <span style=font-size:10.0pt;color:black; mso-themecolor:text1>: <span style=font-size:10.0pt;color:black; mso-themecolor:text1> Avian; Cytokines; Immune System; Lysozymes