Neuroimmune Crosstalk in Chicken Spleen Following H5N1 Vaccination: Serotonergic Network Analysis of Key Immune Genes

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors

1 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jiroft,Jiroft, Iran

2 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman,Kerman,Iran.

3 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Jiroft,Jiroft,Iran.

10.22069/psj.2026.24315.2460

Abstract

The spleen is a principal immune organ in poultry, but the molecular pathways mediating its response to avian influenza vaccination are poorly defined. This study aimed to explore the engagement of serotonergic system–related genes in the chicken spleen following vaccination with an H5N1 DNA vaccine (pCI-H5). Public microarray datasets (GSE135671 and GSE102972) were compared between vaccinated and control birds (receiving empty pCI plasmid) using GEO2R for differential gene expression; enriched pathways and protein–protein interaction networks were analyzed via STRING and Cytoscape. Fourteen genes were significantly differentially expressed post-vaccination, including CSF3R, LYG2, SERPINB10, DEFB4A, IFI6, and LECT2, which are involved in immune cell recruitment, inflammation modulation, apoptosis, and intercellular signalling. Enrichment analyses implicated pathways such as CCR6 chemokine receptor binding, beta-defensin activity, cellular chemotaxis, pathogen defence, and interleukin signalling. Interactions between serotonergic components and immune network nodes suggest a possible regulatory cross-talk. The serotonergic system may act as a modulatory hub in splenic immune activation following H5N1 DNA vaccination, and these serotonergic genes could serve as molecular targets to optimize future vaccine design and improve immune resilience in poultry.

Keywords

References

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Poultry Science Journal
Volume 14, Issue 2
November 2026
Pages 243-250

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