Additional file 1: Table S1. of Expression of chicken interleukin-2 by a highly virulent strain of Newcastle disease virus leads to decreased systemic viral load but does not significantly affect mortality in chickens

Summary of clinical signs and mortality in 4-week-old chickens infected with rZJ1-GFP, rZJ1-IL2, and BHI. Numbers in the cells represent the percentages of birds presenting the clinical sign over the total birds present in the group at the time. Highlighted cells represent groups where all the animals are dead. (XLSX 13 kb

DNA-vaccine groups and plasmid combinations.

<p>DNA-vaccine groups and plasmid combinations.</p

Characterization and evaluation of the effect of co-delivering chIFNγ with a DNA vaccination system.

<p>Plasmids expressing NDV F and chIFNγ genes were developed and characterized for their use as DNA vaccines and adjuvant, respectively. DF-1 cells were transfected with pTriEX, pTriEX-ZJ1-F and pTriEX- IFNγ. Cell culture supernatants were tested by western blotting for the presence of F protein <b>(A)</b> and chIFNγ <b>(B)</b>, respectively. Eighteen-day-old SPF ECEs were inoculated with TE buffer, pTriEX, pTriEX-ZJ1-F, or pTriEX-ZJ1-F plus pTriEX- IFNγ and boosted 2 weeks after hatched. Two weeks after booster vaccination, birds were challenged with vZJ1. Oropharyngeal <b>(C)</b> and cloacal <b>(D)</b> swab samples were collected 3 days after challenge to measure the amount of challenge virus shed into the environment. Viral titers were determined by quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRRT-PCR). A standard was prepared with a vZJ1 virus stock of know concentration, this was included in every plate and was used to obtain viral titers expressed as EID₅₀/mL. Morbidity <b>(E)</b> and mortality <b>(F)</b> were also evaluated. Viral shedding results were analyzed with One-way ANOVA followed by a multiple comparisons Tukey's test. Differences in morbidity among groups were evaluated using a two-tailed Z test for comparison of sample proportions. Survival curves were analyzed using the Long-Rank test. Statistical difference was considered with a <i>P<0</i>.<i>05</i>. Significant differences are denoted by different letters.</p

Effect of chIFNγ on hatchability and survival after <i>in ovo</i> vaccination with rZJ1*L/IFNγ and challenge with vZJ1.

<p>Effect of chIFNγ on hatchability and survival after <i>in ovo</i> vaccination with rZJ1*L/IFNγ and challenge with vZJ1.</p