Chicken immune system could hold key to protect poultry and humans from viruses
Posted: 13 June, 2017
Newly discovered components of the chicken innate immune system suggest poultry may be better equipped to fight viruses than scientists previously thought.
Researchers from The Pirbright Institute investigating chicken immunology, have discovered a previously unknown interferon (antiviral molecule), which they identified as IFN Kappa (IFN-K). The chicken’s innate immune system is generally not well understood and Pirbright scientists have now used this new component to understand its particular function in helping chickens combat viruses.
