Unknown,Transcriptomics,Genomics,Proteomics

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Transcription profiling of chicken spleen and thymus infected Mareks disease virus (MDV) - a highly contagious oncogenic herpes virus

ABSTRACT: Marek's disease virus (MDV) is a highly contagious oncogenic herpes virus. Classed as an alpha herpes virus due to its DNA sequence and genome organization, its biological properties are more similar to those of gamma herpes viruses. MDV causes an initial cytolytic infection in B lymphocytes (3-6dpi) followed by infection of CD4+ T cells (at around 7dpi) where the virus becomes latent (for around two weeks) and then goes on to produce lymphoid tumours in the skin, nerves and internal organs. Early symptoms in susceptible birds include lameness, paralysis, loss of appetite, depression, blindness and immuno-suppression. The route of infection is usually respiratory and the disease is highly contagious, being spread by infective feather-follicle dander. Although birds may survive MDV infection, the resultant immuno-suppression leaves the birds highly susceptible to other infections. MDV infection can thus be associated with high mortality rates and, in turn, large economic losses throughout the worldÃ¯Â¾Âs poultry industry. Three-week-old chicks were inoculated with virus (RB1B) via an intra-gastric route and tissue samples were collected at 2, 3 and 4 days post-inoculation. Spleen and thymus tissue were examined from control and infected birds at 2, 3 and 4 days post-infection in birds known to be either susceptible or resistant to the virus. As well as understanding the host immune response to MDV, we are interested in identifying genes involved in disease resistance and so we have analysed the gene expression profiles at these times, when the innate immune response is active. We assume that genes underlying resistance will be involved at this early stage of the host immune response.

ORGANISM(S): Gallus gallus

SUBMITTER: Jacqueline Smith

PROVIDER: E-TABM-721 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress

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Project description:Background: Marek’s disease (MD) is a highly contagious, lymphomatous disease of chickens induced by a herpesvirus, Marek’s disease virus (MDV) that is the cause of major annual losses to the poultry industry. MD pathogenesis involves multiple stages including an early cytolytic phase and latency, and transitions between these stages are governed by several host and environmental factors. The success of vaccination strategies has led to the increased virulence of MDV and selective breeding of naturally resistant chickens is seen as a viable alternative. While multiple gene expression studies have been performed in resistant and susceptible populations, little is known about the epigenetic effects of infection. Results: In this study, we investigated temporal chromatin signatures induced by MDV by analyzing early cytolytic and latent phases of infection in the bursa of Fabricius of MD-resistant and –susceptible birds. Major global variations in chromatin marks were observed at different stages of MD in the two lines. Differential H3K27me3 marks were associated with immune-related pathways, such as MAP kinase signaling, focal adhesion and neuroactive ligand receptor interaction, and suggested varying degrees of silencing in response to infection. Immune-related microRNAs, e.g. gga-miR-155 and gga-miR-10b, bore chromatin signatures, which suggested their contribution to MD-susceptibility. Finally, several members of the focal adhesion pathway, e.g. THBS4 and ITGA1, showed marked concordance between gene expression and chromatin marks indicating putative epigenetic regulation in response to MDV infection. Conclusions: Our comprehensive analysis of chromatin signatures, therefore, revealed further clues about the epigenetic effects of MDV infection although further studies are necessary to elucidate the functional implications of the observed variations in histone modifications. Total of 32 samples analyzed; 2 histone modifications - H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 x 2 chicken lines with varying resistance to MD - L63 and L72 x 2 time-points of disease progression - 5 and 10 days post infection x 2 conditions - infected and control x 2 biological replicates

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Transcription profiling of chicken spleen and thymus infected Mareks disease virus (MDV) - a highly contagious oncogenic herpes virus

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