Anti-Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) effects of tannins in poultry

The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to evaluate the antiviral therapeutic potential of tannins against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) as natural anti-viral supplements and immunomodulators in poultry. Tannins, plant-derived polyphenolic compounds and their metabolites, have highly effective antiviral effects against broad spectrums of pathogenic viruses including influenza virus H3N2, H5N3, herpes simplex virus-1, Newcastle disease virus and adenovirus1-5. Thus, the proposed studies will develop effective therapeutic strategies with natural antiviral bioactive compounds to prevent poultry from HPAI infection and strengthen poultry immune system, maintaining sustainable poultry production and U.S. food security. Activities include 1) Evaluating antiviral effects of tannins against HPAI in vitro to elucidate the anti-HPAI mechanisms (mode of action) of tannins; 2) Evaluating effects of tannins on immune modulation in chicken macrophage cells and/or chicken mesenchymal stem cells under HPAI infection conditions; 3) Optimizing tannin inclusion level for the efficient growth and immunoprotecting potential in laying hens and turkeys; 4) Evaluating anti-HPAI effects of tannins in HPAI virus challenge studies with laying hens and turkeys (BSL3). Deliverables are obtaining data on anti-HPAI effects of tannins, their antiviral mechanisms, immunoprotected effects of tannins, optimization of tannin inclusion, HPAI challenge data, performance, mortality, and publications.

Funder: USDA PHIS 

Amount: $1,716,819 

PI: Woo Kyun Kim, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences