鸭瘟病毒的免疫学研究进展

鸭瘟是由鸭瘟病毒引起的一种急性、败血性传染病。其传播迅速,发病率与死亡率高,对水禽养殖业产生严重危害。国内外对鸭瘟病毒的产生及危害均有报道。从鸭瘟病毒的主要抗原蛋白、持续性感染、黏膜免疫、细胞免疫、体液免疫和免疫抑制几个方面论述了鸭瘟病毒与宿主之间存在复杂的相互免疫作用,旨在为鸭瘟疫苗设计与研制提供新的思路和方法。     

鸭肠炎病毒感染鸭脾脏的转录组分析

为探明鸭肠炎病毒(Duck enteritis virus,DEV)感染鸭脾脏的转录组情况,本研究以DEV GZ株经腿部肌肉接种50d鸭,于接种后66h采集鸭脾组织样本,提取总RNA,采用Illumina HiSeq 2000TM对试验组和对照组样品进行测序,筛选DEV感染鸭脾脏组织的差异表达基因,对其进行生物信息学GO功能分类和KEGG信号通路分析。结果显示,差异表达基因共511个,其中表达上调312个,表达下调199个。GO功能分类结果显示,差异表达基因主要涉及氧运输、整合素活化、补体激活等生物学过程,胞外区、血红蛋白复合物、细胞外间隙等细胞组分,氧转运活动、氧结合、核糖体的结构成分等分子功能。KEGG分析表明这些差异表达基因参与ECM受体相互作用、核糖体、CAMs、JAK-STAT信号通路、细胞因子和细胞因子受体相互作用、PPAR信号通路、神经活性配体/受体相互作用信号通路。本研究为深入探究DEV与鸭脾脏组织互作、宿主抗病机制及相关功能基因的筛选奠定了基础。     

鹅源鸭瘟病毒和小鹅瘟病毒在同一宿主系统增殖的观察

本文首次报道了鹅源鸭瘟病毒(DPV—Ⅰ)和鸭胚化小鹅瘟病毒(GPV—Ⅰ)能同时在同一鸭胚内复制增殖,未发现干扰作用,在理论上说明某些不相关的两种病毒可在同一宿主增殖,实践上为利用同一鸭胚研制二联疫苗提供了依据。研究结果表明:1.DPV—Ⅰ和GPV—Ⅰ联合感染同一鸭胚后,其尿囊液在电镜下见两种病毒,DPV—Ⅰ呈园形或椭园形,有囊膜,直径为38—109nm,GPV-Ⅰ呈园形,无囊膜,直径为18—25nm;2.含毒尿囊液使鸭胚成纤维细胞(DEF)单层发生细胞病变作用(CPE),证实存在DPV-Ⅰ,而用小鹅瘟微量免疫扩散(MID)试验,又能检出GPV-Ⅰ抗原;3.含毒尿囊液免疫鹅的血清中存在抗两种病毒的(?)和抗体和GPV沉淀抗体;4.含毒尿囊液免疫的成鹅对DPV强毒攻击有相当免疫力,免疫鹅血清能中和GPV,使其失去对鸭胚的致病力;5.GPV-Ⅰ单独或与DPV-Ⅰ联合感染DEF单层后,均未见在细胞上复制。     

鸭胚成纤维细胞中鸭瘟强毒的增殖特性研究

通过细胞培养物光学显微观察、细胞超薄切片研究、定量PCR检测技术对鸭胚成纤维细胞中鸭瘟强毒的增殖特性进行了研究.结果表明:鸭瘟强毒接种鸭胚成纤维细胞后42 h,可使细胞培养物出现大量明显的蚀斑病变.细胞培养物的超薄切片电镜观察研究表明,病毒核酸在胞核内常集中分布,呈直径35～45 nm的圆形颗粒状;核衣壳在胞核和胞浆内都有分布,呈直径90～100 nm的网形颗粒状;成熟病毒位于胞浆空泡内,呈直径150～300 nm的圆形,有囊膜和皮层结构;病毒通过囊膜与胞膜融合入侵细胞,在核内生成核酸、装配核衣壳,在胞浆中得到皮层,出芽到胞浆空泡内获得囊膜,通过胞吐作用释放到胞外.定量PCR研究表明:鸭瘟强毒接种细胞后10 h开始明显复制,接毒后30 h时含量趋于稳定,接毒后22 h时开始向胞外释放,50 h时达最大值,细胞和上清中病毒含量的增幅均为103左右,病毒主要存在于细胞中,其含量为上清的102～103倍.     

PCR在鸭瘟病诊断和免疫及致病机理研究中的初步应用

根据GenBank文献,应用Oligo 6.0分析软件合成了用于扩增鸭瘟病毒(duck plague virus,DPV)EcoRⅠ765bp片段的1对引物,上游引物(P1)位于EcoR Ⅰ片段的246～266nt,下游引物(P2)位于EcoRⅠ片段的727～744nt,以DPV CHa株DNA为模板,筛选PCR最佳反应条件,建立了检测DPV的PCR方法.应用该方法对强毒株DPV鸭胚培养物和弱毒株的鸡胚培养物进行扩增,均可获得498bp的DNA片段.而对正常鸭(鸡)胚和鸡马立克氏病毒、鸡传染性喉气管炎病毒、鸭病毒性肝炎病毒、多杀性巴氏杆菌、大肠杆菌、鸭副伤寒沙门氏菌和鸭疫里默氏杆菌培养物进行检测,结果均呈阳性.扩增产物测序结果与文献报道一致,证明了PCR方法的特异性.对DPV CHa株鸡胚毒提取物DNA进行检测,其最低检出量为10fg.用病毒分离、Dot-ELISA和PCR三种方法分别检测1990～2002年期间送检的临床样品,对所获得的结果进行χ2分析,证明PCR检出率明显高于前2种方法.CHa株免疫雏鸭后对血液、心、肝、脾、肺、肾、十二指肠、直肠、法氏囊、胸腺、胰腺、延脑、大脑、小脑、舌头、肌肉、骨髓、食道共18种组织和粪便进行PCR检测,结果表明:①皮下接种4h后,心、肝、脾、肾、法氏囊、胸腺、胰腺、延脑、大脑和小脑为阳性,8h后18种组织和粪便均为阳性;②口服接种4h后舌头和食道为阳性,8h后,心、肝、脾、肾、胸腺、胰腺、延脑、大脑、小脑、舌头、食道和血液均为阳性;③滴鼻接种4h后无阳性组织,8h后检测心、肝、脾、肾、胸腺、延脑、大脑、小脑、舌头、食道和血液,均为阳性;④三种途径免疫的鸭,于12h至第21天均检测出DPV DNA.DPV强毒SC1株人工感染成年鸭2h后,即能从脑、肝、脾、法氏囊和胸腺中检出DPV DNA.12h后和死亡鸭的心、肝、脾、肺、肾、十二指肠、直肠、法氏囊、胸腺、胰腺、脑、胸肌、食道、腺胃、血液、舌头、皮肤、骨髓等组织器官和口腔分泌物及粪便中,均检测到DPV的DNA.该研究为阐明鸭瘟病毒在体内分布提供了重要的数据.     

鸭瘟病毒核酸限制性内切酶图谱

鸭瘟病毒(DPV)是一种禽疱疹病毒,引起鸭急性致死性传染病。本病毒自1923年报道后,半个多世纪以来,对其生物学特性等虽有某些研究,但有关分子病毒学研究则国内外尚无报道。本研究通过对DPV DNA的限制性内切酶图谱的分析,为进一步开展DPV的分子病毒学研究提供基础资料,并对DPV的分类地位作些探讨。     

雏鸭试验感染鸭肝炎病毒后血液常规指标的测定

用Ⅰ型鸭肝炎病毒标准强毒R85952株人工感染3日龄雏鸭,通过采集不同时期的血液进行细胞计数、血沉测定、血红蛋白测定等血常规检查。结果表明,感染DHV的试验组鸭的红细胞数量较对照组极显著减少(P<0 01);试验组鸭在感染DHV24h内白细胞数量与对照组相比无明显差异或略有下降,但24h后试验组鸭白细胞数量较对照组显著减少(P<0 05);试验组鸭的血红蛋白含量极显著低于对照组(P<0 01);试验组鸭的血液沉降速度极显著高于对照组(P<0 01)。     

ε分子内完整的侧向突出结构对鸭乙肝病毒反转录酶启动引发至关重要

通过构建鸭乙肝病毒ε(Dε)的RNA文库并利用指数级富集的配体系统进化技术(SELEX)筛选的策略,获得与反转录酶(P蛋白)高度亲和的适配子(Aptamer),再通过体外引发实验和核酸酶切割方法测定全部适配子的RNA二级结构,以研究鸭乙型肝炎病毒(Duck Hepatitis B Virus,DHBV)中对启动P蛋白引发步骤至关重要的ε结构信息。本研究发现凡是支持P蛋白启动引发的高亲和力适配子中均包含完整的侧向突出结构;而一旦侧向突出被破坏,则适配子均不再支持P蛋白启动引发。本研究的结果表明Dε分子内部的一个完整侧向突出结构对于P蛋白启动引发是必不可少的。     

PCR在鸭瘟临床诊断和免疫及致病机理研究中的初步应用

根据GenBank文献,应用Oligo 6．0分析软件合成了用于扩增鸭瘟病毒(duck plague virus,DPV)EcoR Ⅰ 765bp片段的1对引物,上游引物(P1)位于EcoR Ⅰ片段的246～266nt,下游引物(P2)位于EcoR Ⅰ片段的727～744nt,以DPV CHa株DNA为模板,筛选PCR最佳反应条件,建立了检测DPV的PCR方法。应用该方法对强毒株DPV鸭胚培养物和弱毒株的鸡胚培养物进行扩增,均可获得498bp的DNA片段。而对正常鸭(鸡)胚和鸡马立克氏病毒、鸡传染性喉气管炎病毒、鸭病毒性肝炎病毒、多杀性巴氏杆菌、大肠杆菌、鸭副伤寒沙门氏菌和鸭疫里默氏杆菌培养物进行检测,结果均呈阳性。扩增产物测序结果与文献报道一致,证明了PCR方法的特异性。对DPV CHa株鸡胚毒提取物DNA进行检测,其最低检出量为10fg。用病毒分离、Dot—ELISA和PCR三种方法分别检测1990～2002年期间送检的临床样品,对所获得的结果进行χ^2分析,证明PCR检出率明显高于前2种方法。CHa株免疫雏鸭后对血液、心、肝、脾、肺、肾、十二指肠、直肠、法氏囊、胸腺、胰腺、延脑、大脑、小脑、舌头、肌肉、骨髓、食道共18种组织和粪便进行PCR检测,结果表明：①皮下接种4h后,心、肝、脾、肾、法氏囊、胸腺、胰腺、延脑、大脑和小脑为阳性,8h后18种组织和粪便均为阳性;②口服接种4h后舌头和食道为阳性,8h后,心、肝、脾、肾、胸腺、胰腺、延脑、大脑、小脑、舌头、食道和血液均为阳性;③滴鼻接种4h后无阳性组织,8h后检测心、肝、脾、肾、胸腺、延脑、大脑、小脑、舌头、食道和血液,均为阳性;④三种途径免疫的鸭,于12h至第21天均检测出DPV DNA。DPV强毒SC1株人工感染成年鸭2h后,即能从脑、肝、脾、法氏囊和胸腺中检出DPV DNA。12h后和死亡鸭的心、肝、脾、肺、肾、十二指肠、直肠、法氏囊、胸腺、胰腺、脑、胸肌、食道、腺胃、血液、舌头、皮肤、骨髓等组织器官和口腔分泌物及粪便中,均检测到DPV的DNA。该研究为阐明鸭瘟病毒在体内分布提供了重要的数据。     

鸭瘟病毒LAMP可视化检测方法的建立

目的:建立一种快速、简便、特异性高的鸭瘟病毒(DPV)环介导等温扩增(LAMP)检测方法。方法:根据Gen Bank中DPVUI6基因的保守序列设计一套特异性引物,并对反应条件进行优化,建立DPV的LAMP可视化检测方法。结果:建立的LAMP方法对其他鸭常见病原体无扩增反应;可通过肉眼观察颜色直接判定结果;敏感性可达0.1fg,是常规PCR方法的100倍;扩增反应只须在常规水浴锅中进行,可在1 h内完成。结论:建立的DPV LAMP方法简便、快速、灵敏、特异,可用于DPV感染的快速检测。     

鸭病毒性肠炎病毒强毒株的形态发生学与超微病理学研究

应用透射电镜和超薄切片技术,研究鸭病毒性肠炎病毒(duck enteritis virus,DEV)CH强毒株人工感染成年鸭后,病毒在宿主细胞内的形态发生及各组织器官的超微结构变化.结果表明,感染后不同时间剖杀及发病后死亡鸭的肝、肠、脾、胸腺、法氏囊等组织器官中,均观察到典型的疱疹病毒粒子.病毒主要的靶细胞为淋巴细胞、网状内皮细胞、成纤维细胞、巨噬细胞、血管内皮细胞、肠道上皮细胞、肠道平滑肌细胞和肝细胞等.DEV的核衣壳有空心型、致密核心型、双环型和内壁附有颗粒型四种形态,存在胞核和胞浆两种装配方式.病毒核衣壳可在核内获得皮层,通过核内膜获得囊膜成为成熟病毒;也可通过内外核膜进入胞浆,在其中获得皮层,然后在各种质膜上获得囊膜,最后成熟病毒释放到细胞外.伴随着病毒的复制、装配和成熟,细胞中出现多种核内和胞浆包涵体、核内致密病毒核酸颗粒、微管和中空短管以及胞浆内膜包裹的电子致密小体、双层管等病毒相关结构.超微研究表明,组织细胞有坏死和凋亡两种变化.坏死细胞肿胀甚至破裂,线粒体肿胀空泡化,粗面内质网扩张,核糖体脱落,有的细胞器甚至完全崩解,染色质或固缩或溶解.凋亡细胞则染色质聚集,胞浆凝聚深染,细胞膜上有大量空泡,并有凋亡小体形成.细胞坏死与凋亡往往同时存在,疾病发生过程中,脾、胸腺、法氏囊以及小肠固有层中的淋巴细胞凋亡数量明显增多.     

Immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical findings associated with Marek’s disease virus in naturally infected laying hens

We compared immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of tissue sections of liver, kidney, spleen, lung, proventriculus, sciatic nerve, bursa of Fabricius, brain, heart, intestine and skin; immunocytochemical (ICC) staining of peripheral blood samples and touch preparations of liver, spleen and kidney of laying hens naturally infected with Marek’s disease (MD) virus. We used one hundred and fifty 5-17-week-old commercial hens. IHC and ICC staining were performed using polymer-based techniques. IHC staining exhibited mostly free immunopositive reactions in tumor cells and in the cytoplasm of the parenchymal cells of liver, kidney, spleen and bursa of Fabricius. In the sciatic nerve, severe reactions were observed in the cytoplasm of plasma and MD cells in the lymphoproliferative areas. Pronounced staining was found in the lymphoid cells in the medulla of intrafollicular regions in the bursa of Fabricius. Although immunostaining was observed in the liver and spleen touch preparations, there was no staining in the kidneys and peripheral blood cell samples. The presence of virus in the tissue and peripheral blood samples and in touch preparations was compared immunohistochemically and immunocytochemically. IHC and ICC techniques were helpful for diagnosis of MD. Peripheral blood samples are inappropriate for field conditions and natural infections.     

Pathological changes in chickens inoculated with reticuloendotheliosis-virus-contaminated Marek's disease vaccine.

A disease characterized by delayed growth, anemia, abnormal feathers, and leg paralysis occurred among chickens inoculated with Marek's disease vaccine over a period from spring to fall in 1974. These chickens were recognized among flocks inoculated with the vaccine produced by two vaccine makers. The affected ones were examined pathologically. Gross examination revealed a slight enlargement of peripheral nerves and atrophy of the spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius. Histopathologically, the peripheral nerves had a mild cell infiltration of lymphoid and plasma cells, edema, degeneration of nerve fibers with Schwann's cell proliferation. Perivascular cuffings consisting mainly of lymphoid cells were seen in the brain and spinal cord. Atrophic changes displayed by prominent reduction of lymphocytes were recognized in the spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius. Etiological examination suggested that most of the chickens examined might have been infected with reticuloendotheliosis virus and not with Marek's disease virus. The pathological changes observed in the peripheral nerves and central nervous system, however, were not distinguishable from those of Marek's disease.     

Detection of Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus by Real-Time PCR in Naturally and Experimentally Infected Chickens

Infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) is an acute, highly contagious upper-respiratory infectious disease of chickens. In this study, a real-time PCR method was developed for fast and accurate detection and quantitation of ILTV DNA of chickens experimentally infected with ILTV strain LJS09 and naturally infected chickens. The detection lower limit of the assay was 10 copies of DNA. There were no cross reactions with the DNA and RNA of infectious bursal disease virus, chicken anemia virus, reticuloendotheliosis virus, avian reovirus, Newcastle disease virus, and Marek''s disease virus. The real-time PCR was reproducible as the coefficients of variation of reproducibility of the intra-assay and the inter-assay were less than 2%. The real-time PCR was used to detect the levels of the ILTV DNA in the tissues of specific pathogen free (SPF) chickens infected with ILTV at different times post infection. ILTV DNA was detected by real-time PCR in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, larynx, tongue, thymus, glandular stomach, duodenum, pancreatic gland, small intestine, large intestine, cecum, cecal tonsil, bursa of Fabricius, and brain of chickens in the infection group and the contact-exposure group. The sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of the ILTV real-time PCR assay revealed its suitability for detection and quantitation of ILTV in the samples from clinically and experimentally ILTV infected chickens.     

Broad dissemination of Histomonas meleagridis determined by the detection of nucleic acid in different organs after experimental infection of turkeys and specified pathogen-free chickens using a mono-eukaryotic culture of the parasite

Histomonas meleagridis, a flagellated protozoan parasite, is the causative agent of histomonosis (syn. histomoniasis, blackhead) in turkeys and chickens. The organs primarily affected by the parasite are the caeca and the liver. Until now, only few reports exist in which the parasite has been diagnosed in tissues other than those mentioned above. Hence, the aim of this study was to perform a systematic investigation of various organs of turkeys and specified pathogen-free chickens following an experimental infection with a mono-eukaryotic culture of Histomonas meleagridis in order to determine the dissemination of the flagellate in infected birds. Molecular methods like PCR and in situ hybridization were used for this purpose. For the first time, the DNA of the parasite could be detected in 13 different organs of infected turkeys by PCR including the proventriculus, duodenum, jejunum, caeca, pancreas, bursa of Fabricius, liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lung, thymus and the brain. Most of these findings were further confirmed by in situ hybridization. In contrast to the turkeys that all died shortly after the infection, all of the chickens survived without displaying any clinical symptoms. Even at necropsy, only mild pathological changes were observed in the caeca. Nevertheless, the parasite could also be detected in various organs of these birds, namely the caeca, bursa of Fabricius, kidney, heart and the brain.     

Accumulation of eosinophils and monocytes in lymphoid organs of chick-embryos. I. Effect of antigenic stimulation.

The effect of antigenic stimulation on the migration pattern of eosinophils and monocytes was studied during the embryonic stage in chickens. On the 13th embryonic day, chickens were injected with sheep red blood cells as antigen into the allantoic cavity and the relative frequency of oxidase positive cells (OPC) was determined as the total number of eosinophils and monocytes in the bursa of Fabricius, spleen, and thymus. Three and five days after the antigenic stimulation, the frequencies of OPC increased in both the spleen and thymus and then decreased to the normal level just before hatching. However, bursal frequencies of OPC were always low in both the cortex and medulla when compared with the controls. These events indicated that eosinophils and monocytes accumulated in the spleen and thymus after the antigenic stimulation. Furthermore, different frequencies of OPC among the embryonic lymphoid organs showed different responses in the migration of eosinophils and monocytes.     

Immune complexes of E. coli antigens and maternal IgG in the bursa of Fabricius

The bursa of Fabricius of the chicken is known to be both a primary lymphoid organ and a secondary lymphoid tissue. Bursal follicles are equipped with antigen-trapping follicle-associated epithelium. However, bioactive antigens such as protein and bacteria have not been detected in the bursal parenchyma. By immunoperoxidase staining with a polyspecific antibody (Ab) against Escherichia coli, we detected aggregated E. coli antigens in the medulla of bursal follicles after hatching. The distribution of aggregated E. coli antigens is restricted to the medulla of bursal follicles. The antigens are not found in the spleen or the parenchyma of the caecal tonsil. The bursa is thus a trapping site for E. coli antigens from the external environment. Furthermore, two-color immunostaining clarified that these antigens form immune complexes with maternal IgG (MIgG) and are retained by reticular cells. Additionally, immune complexes in the bursa were shown to induce the rapid development of serum IgM Ab for indigenous E. coli. Our results suggest that immune complexes of MIgG and environmental antigens in the medulla of bursal follicles exert positive effects on B-cell differentiation in the bursa in situ.     

Hyperpigmentation Results in Aberrant Immune Development in Silky Fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus Brisson)

The Silky Fowl (SF) is known for its special phenotypes and atypical distribution of melanocytes among internal organs. Although the genes associated with melanocyte migration have been investigated substantially, there is little information on the postnatal distribution of melanocytes in inner organs and the effect of hyperpigmentation on the development of SF. Here, we analyzed melanocyte distribution in 26 tissues or organs on postnatal day 1 and weeks 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, and 23. Except for the liver, pancreas, pituitary gland, and adrenal gland, melanocytes were distributed throughout the body, primarily around blood vessels. Interaction between melanocytes and the tissue cells was observed, and melanin was transported by filopodia delivery through engulfed and internalized membrane-encapsulated melanosomes. SFs less than 10 weeks old have lower indices of spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius than White Leghorns (WLs). The expression levels of interferon-γ and interlukin-4 genes in the spleen, and serum antibody levels against H5N1 and infectious bursal disease virus were lower in SF than in WL. We also found immune organ developmental difference between Black-boned and non-Black- boned chickens from SFs and WLs hybrid F2 population. However, degeneration of the thymus and bursa of Fabricius occurred later in SF than in WL after sexual maturity. Analysis of apoptotic cells and apoptosis-associated Bax and Bcl-2 proteins indicated that apoptosis is involved in degeneration of the thymus and bursa of Fabricius. Therefore, these results suggest that hyperpigmentation in SF may have a close relationship with immune development in SF, which can provide an important animal model to investigate the roles of melanocyte.     

Ontogeny of lymphocytes expressing J chain in chickens

The ontogeny of chicken lymphocytes expressing J chain (LEJ) was investigated in the embryonic bursa of Fabricius, the spleen, and the thymus. Simultaneous appearance of LEJ was detected in the bursa and spleen on Day 14 of incubation. These cells were detected later in the thymus. The LEJ were found to increase rapidly in the spleen from the 19th to 20th incubation day. In adult chickens, the highest percentage of LEJ was also found in the spleen. These cells were seen in the thymus at a lower frequency. Intermediate numbers were found in bursal and peripheral blood lymphocytes. The frequencies of the LEJ were similar to those of lymphocytes positive for cytoplasmic immunoglobulins (Ig) IgA and IgM, but were not related to the number of lymphocytes expressing surface Ig. It is possible to consider that the suitable site for LEJ is the spleen, on the basis of the rapid increase in the number of LEJ just before hatching and from the fact that the highest value is found in adult chickens. Furthermore, LEJ may participate in secretion of IgA or IgM but not be associated with the expression of surface Ig.     

Effects of Dietary Selenium on Selenoprotein W Gene Expression in the Chicken Immune Organs

Selenoprotein W (SelW) is expressed in the immune systems of mammals. However, its pattern of expression in the immune organs of birds is still unclear. To investigate the distribution of SelW and effects of dietary Se levels on the SelW mRNA expression in the immune organs of birds, 1-day-old male chickens were fed either a commercial diet or an Se-supplemented diet containing 0.601, 1.058, 1.514, or 2.427?mg Se per kilogram, and 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 or 5.0?mg sodium selenite per kilogram for 90?days. The immune organs (spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius) were collected and examined for Se content and SelW mRNA levels. The mRNA expression of SelW was detected in all the tissues. Although Se content was the highest in the spleen, the remarkable stability of the SelW mRNA level was observed in this organ during different times of dietary Se supplementation. Se-supplemented diet can make the SelW expression levels higher within a certain range in thymus and bursa of Fabricius. The present study demonstrates that SelW is widely expressed in immune organs of birds and that Se-supplementation of the feed increases SelW expression in the thymus and the bursa of Fabricius.