Expression profiles of toll like receptors, MHC and cytokine genes along with viral load in organs of ducklings infected with an Indian isolate of duck enteritis virus

A comprehensive study on the pathogenicity and host immune response was conducted in White Pekin ducklings after experimental infection with an Indian isolate of duck enteritis virus (DEV). The virus was found to be highly pathogenic and pantropic, which rapidly multiplied in various organs, mainly in the spleen and liver showing higher viral load with severe pathological lesions and caused 100% mortality. Expression profiles of immune gene transcripts in tissues (liver, spleen, brain) revealed upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines IFN-α, IFN- β, IL-1β, IL-6 and also iNOS with stimulation of TLRs (TLR-2, 3, 21). IFN-α was robustly upregulated (p < 0.05) especially in liver, might be playing role in antiviral innate immunity. Further, massive upregulation of MHC class-I (p < 0.01), expression of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ & IL-2) and certain Th2 cytokines (IL-4 & IL-10) suggests stimulation of cell mediated as well as humoral immunity. To our knowledge, we are reporting first time about the robust upregulation of MHC class-I in spleen, liver and brain along with expression of certain cytokines in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) during experimental DEV infection.