The selective Dectin-1 agonist, curdlan, induces an oxidative burst response in chicken heterophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

A critical component of host innate immunity is recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Dectin-1 is the primary PRR for exogenous beta-glucan, a component of fungal and bacterial cell walls. A previous study conducted in our laboratory demonstrated that administration of beta-glucan as a feed additive resulted in increased innate immune function of neonatal chickens, suggesting that chickens possess a Dectin-1-like beta-glucan receptor. In the present study, we demonstrated that heterophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from day-old chicks had a significant increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) following stimulation with the Dectin-1 specific agonist, curdlan. Pretreatment of heterophils and PBMCs with laminarin, a beta-glucan receptor blocking agent and specific inhibitor of Dectin-1 activity, significantly reduced the curdlan-induced ROS production. Together these data provide evidence for the first time of the presence of a functional Dectin-1-like beta-glucan receptor in chicken heterophils and PBMCs.