Transcriptional response to a prime/boost vaccination of chickens with three vaccine variants based on HA DNA and Pichia-produced HA protein

Broilers were immunized with three variants of subunit vaccines, based on the hemagglutinin (HA) DNA and Pichia-produced HA protein from H5N1 virus, in comparison to the control group, which was administered an empty vector (pCI). Gene expression changes in the spleens of chickens were investigated at 7 day post booster dose. Chickens were divided into four groups: 'pCI/pCI' group was a negative control; 'Protein/protein' group was vaccinated twice with Pichia-produced hemagglutinin (HA) protein from H5N1 virus; 'DNA/DNA' group was vaccinated twice with HA DNA on pCI vector and 'DNA/protein' group gained one dose of HA DNA on pCI vector and one dose of Pichia-produced HA protein. At least three independent biological replicates of total RNA were isolated for each group at 7 day post booster dose. Two biological replicates from 'pCI/pCI' group; two biological replicates from 'DNA/DNA' group; three biological replicates from 'DNA/protein' group and four biological replicates from 'Protein/protein' group were selected for final analysis. Totally eleven samples of RNA were analysed.