MAREK'S DISEASE IS A CANCER OF CHICKENS CAUSED BY A VIRUS, MAREK'S DISEASE VIRUS (MDV). LOSSES TO MD ARE PREVENTED BY VACCINES GIVEN TO CHICKENS EITHER THREE DAYS BEFORE THEY HATCH FROM EGGS, OR AT THEIR DAY OF HATCH. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROJECT IS TO STUDY HOWEXOSOMES (SMALL, CELL-PRODUCED PARTICLES OF 50 - 120 NM)AFFECT THE IMMUNE RESPONSE OF CHICKENS TO MDV. THESE STUDIES WILL USE EXOSOMES PURIFIED FROM THE SERUM OF VACCINATED AND PROTECTED CHICKENS AND FROM TUMOR-BEARING CHICKENS TO DETERMINETHEIR RESPECTIVE EFFECTS ON IMMNE FUNCTION. COMPLETION OF THIS WORK WILL PROVIDE DIRECT INSIGHT INTO HOW EXOSOMES FUNCTION IN CONFERRING VACCINE-INDUCEDPROTECTIONOR ALTERNATIVELY, HOW THEY CAUSE IMMUNE SUPPRESSION.

University Of Delaware, Newark DE

Investigators