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 β-glucan, a component of fungal and bacterial cell walls. A previous study conducted in our laboratory demonstrated that administration of β-glucan as a feed additive resulted in increased innate immune function of neonatal chickens, suggesting that...