Interactions between lactobacilli and chicken macrophages induce antiviral responses against avian influenza virus

Macrophages are an important cell type of the innate immune system that upon activation, can exert antiviral functions and also can induce virus-specific adaptive immune responses. Macrophage interaction with certain probiotic bacteria such as lactobacilli can enhance antiviral functions of these cells. We have previously shown that administration of lactobacilli to chickens can effectively augment immune response to vaccine antigens. Here, we...