# Bristol and Pirbright Scientists Identify NKT-Like Immune Cells in Chickens

- Published: 2026-11-08 00:54 UTC
- Section: Life & Health › Biology & biochemistry
- Tags: chicken immune system, NKT-like cells, GM3 lipid, Pirbright Institute, poultry vaccines, University of Bristol
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-ef1c83d8597521f55891798a_bristol_and_pirbright/

**Researchers identified NKT-like cells in chickens in laboratory studies, revealing an immune mechanism that responds to lipid molecules across poultry breeds.**

![Bristol and Pirbright Scientists Identify NKT-Like Immune Cells in Chickens](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/62c8e731ab3382fd.jpg)
*H. Zell, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0*

Researchers from the University of Bristol and the Pirbright Institute identified a previously unknown group of immune cells in chickens, according to lomazoma.com [1]. In a study published in the European Journal of Immunology, the authors described avian NKT-like cells that recognize specific lipid molecules, establishing the presence of an immune pathway previously characterized only in mammals [1].

NKT cells respond rapidly to infectious threats and assist the immune system in developing long-term protection [1]. Prior to this investigation, it was not confirmed whether birds possessed comparable cellular mechanisms. The team confirmed that these avian NKT-like cells are present across different chicken breeds [1].

## Mechanism of Cellular Activation

The authors demonstrated that the activation of these cells requires a two-step signal. When the immune system detects an infection, specialized cells produce a naturally occurring lipid molecule known as GM3 and present it on their outer surface [1]. Simultaneously, these cells secrete chemical messengers that alert surrounding components of the immune system [1].

The avian NKT-like cells activate only when they detect both the presented GM3 lipid and the accompanying alarm messengers [1]. Once triggered, they coordinate defensive responses against pathogens [1].

## Protective Functions and Vaccine Research

Following activation, the NKT-like cells perform two functional roles [1]. They release messenger molecules that recruit additional immune cells to the infection site, supporting defense against bacteria such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli [1]. Furthermore, they can directly destroy virus-infected or damaged host cells [1].

Study co-author Nitin Kamble stated that because this mechanism occurs in multiple breeds, it offers a shared target for poultry vaccine development [1]. Researchers noted that combining vaccine formulations with lipid components like GM3 might stimulate multiple immune pathways simultaneously, though further research is required to evaluate protection under field conditions [1].

## Sources

1. [lomazoma.com](https://lomazoma.com/huehner-besser-vor-krankheiten-schuetzen-britische-forscher-entdecken-neuen-immunmechanismus)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-ef1c83d8597521f55891798a_bristol_and_pirbright/