Genetic interference exerted by Salmonella-delivered CRISPR/Cas9 significantly reduces the pathological burden caused by Marek’s disease virus in chickens

Table 2 Quantification of the MDV genome in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from chickens in the test groups (mean ± SD, n = 6).

Gene copy number × 10³/10⁵ cells.
The chicken was subjected to Salmonella-mediated CRISPR treatment and experimental infection with MDV as follows. A: Naïve, B: PBS control, C: 1^st—MDV infection, D: 1^st—Salmonella infection, E: vector control. Viral copy numbers were determined in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) on the 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, and 28^th days post-treatment. Using the meq gene (target) and the ovo gene (housekeeping gene) viral copy numbers were determined and each group was compared against the PBS control for each collection day. A significant reduction in viral copy numbers was observed only in group D birds by the 28^th day compared to the PBS control group. This result highlights the importance of timing of Salmonella treatment to significantly reduce the impact of MDV infection. Before the MDV infection, Salmonella infection must take place to deliver the CRIPSR plasmid for effective interception of viral genome. The level of significance was determined if the p < 0.05 (in bold italic).
^*Indicates a significant difference in viral copy number compared to the PBS control group (p < 0.05).

ISSN: 1297-9716