Use of recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara viral vectors for equine influenza vaccination

Recombinant modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vectors expressing equine influenza virus genes were constructed and evaluated for use in equine vaccination. Two strains of recombinant MVA, expressing either hemagglutinin (HA) or nucleoprotein (NP) genes were constructed. Each influenza virus gene was cloned from A/equine/Kentucky/1/81 (Eq/Ky) into an MVA construction plasmid, and was introduced to the deletion III locus of the wild type MVA genome by homologous recombination. Recombinant viruses were plaque purified, and antigen expression was confirmed by immunostaining. Two ponies were primed by vaccination with 50 microg HA-DNA and two ponies were vaccinated with 50 microg NP-DNA using the PowderJect XR research device. Six and 10 weeks later, ponies were immunized with 2 x 10(9) infectious units of recombinant MVA encoding the homologous influenza antigen, equally divided between intramuscular and intradermal sites in the neck. A marked rise in influenza virus-specific IgGa and IgGb serum antibody titers was detected following administration of MVA boosters with both HA and NP antigens. Influenza virus-specific lymphoproliferative responses and IFN-gamma mRNA production were also strongly elicited by both antigens. This study demonstrates the facility with which recombinant MVA viruses expressing defined pathogen genes can be constructed, and provides preliminary evidence of the immunogenicity and safety of these vectors in the horse.

Identification of equine herpesvirus-1 antigens recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) causes serious disease in horses throughout the world, despite the frequent use of vaccines. CTLs are thought to be critical for protection from primary and reactivating latent EHV-1 infections. However, the antigen-specificity of EHV-1-specific CTLs is unknown. The aim of this study was to identify EHV-1 genes that encode proteins containing CTL epitopes and to determine their MHC I (or ELA-A in the horse) restriction. Equine dendritic cells, transfected with a series of EHV-1 genes, were used to stimulate autologous CTL precursor populations derived from previously infected horses. Cytotoxicity was subsequently measured against EHV-1-infected PWM lymphoblast targets. Dendritic cells were infected with EHV-1 (positive control) or transfected with plasmids encoding the gB, gC, gD, gE, gH, gI, gL, immediate-early (IE) or early protein of EHV-1 using the PowderJect XR-1 research device. Dendritic cells transfected with the IE gene induced CTL responses in four of six ponies. All four of these ponies shared a common ELA-A3.1 haplotype. Dendritic cells transfected with gC, gD, gI and gL glycoproteins induced CTLs in individual ponies. The cytotoxic activity was ELA-A-restricted, as heterologous targets from ELA-A mismatched ponies were not killed and an MHC I blocking antibody reduced EHV-1-specific killing. This is the first identification of an EHV-1 protein containing ELA-A-restricted CTL epitopes. This assay can now be used to study CTL specificity for EHV-1 proteins in horses with a broad range of ELA-A haplotypes, with the goal of developing a multi-epitope EHV-1 vaccine.

Regional antibody and cellular immune responses to equine influenza virus infection, and particle mediated DNA vaccination

We have previously demonstrated that hemagglutinin (HA) gene vaccination and influenza virus infection generate protective antibody responses in equids. However, these antibody responses differ substantially in that particle mediated DNA vaccination does not induce an immunoglobulin A (IgA) response. A study was performed to investigate the regional immunoregulatory mechanisms associated with these different immune responses. Ponies were either vaccinated with equine HA DNA vaccines at skin and mucosal sites, infected with influenza virus or left untreated and influenza-specific antibody responses and protection from challenge infection was studied. In a subset of ponies, lymphocytes from peripheral blood (PBLs), nasopharyngeal mucosal tissue, or lymph nodes (LNLs) were collected for measurement of influenza virus-specific lymphoproliferative responses, local antibody production and IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-gamma mRNA production by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). DNA vaccination and influenza virus infection induced humoral immunoglobulin Ga (IgGa) and immunoglobulin Gb (IgGb) production and lymphoproliferative responses that were positively correlated with IFN-gamma mRNA production. However, there were marked differences in immune response in that only influenza infection induced an IgA response, and the regional distribution of lymphoproliferation, IFN-gamma and antibody responses. Responses to DNA vaccination occurred in PBLs and in lymph nodes draining DNA vaccination sites, while influenza virus infection induced responses in PBLs and hilar LNLs. In summary, common features of immune responses to either influenza virus infection or DNA vaccination were virus-specific IgGa, IgGb and IFN-gamma responses, which are associated with protection from infection, even when the regional distribution of these immune responses varied depending on the site of immune encounter.

Mucosal co-administration of cholera toxin and influenza virus hemagglutinin-DNA in ponies generates a local IgA response

We have previously demonstrated that equine influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) DNA vaccination protects ponies from challenge infection, and induces protective IgGa and IgGb responses. However, this approach does not induce a nasal IgA response. The objective of this study was to examine the value of cholera toxin (CT) administration as an adjuvant for intranasal HA DNA vaccination, and to measure protection 3 months after DNA vaccination. After an immunogenic dose of CT was determined, ponies were immunized on two occasions by intranasal administration of HA DNA and cholera toxin, or HA DNA alone. Ponies in both groups received two additional HA DNA particle mediated vaccinations at skin and mucosal sites. Antibody responses, and protection from challenge infection 3 months after the last vaccination were studied and compared to an influenza virus naive control group. Ponies in both vaccination groups produced virus-specific IgG antibodies in serum following vaccination and showed clinical protection from challenge infection 3 months after the last vaccination. Co-administration of CT plus HA DNA vaccination induced a nasal IgA response. In addition, analysis of antibody titers in nasal secretions indicated local production of nasal IgGb, which was amplified by CT administration.

Advances in equine immunology: Havemeyer workshop reports from Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Hortobagy, Hungary

The horse has been human kind's most important partner throughout history. Similarly, in the field of immunology, many critical scientific advances have depended on the horse. Equine immunology today is an active and important field of study, with a focus on control of many common infectious diseases and immunopathologic conditions of broad comparative interest. In 2001 two major equine immunology workshops were held, in Santa Fe, USA, and in Hortobagy, Hungary, with major sponsorship from the Havemeyer Foundation. This report summarizes the scientific themes and foci of those meetings.

Equine platelet CD62P (P-selectin) expression: a phenotypic and morphologic study

Acute inflammatory diseases, such as colic, septicemia and endotoxemia are common in equines and have been shown to be correlated to vascular injury and thrombosis. In humans with similar thrombotic conditions, P-selectin and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1)-mediated platelet-leukocyte adhesion contributes to the pathogenesis of these disorders through the generation of inflammatory mediators and tissue factor. As such, we hypothesized that a P-selectin-PSGL-1 (platelet-leukocyte) interaction, similar to that in humans, may also exist in the horse. The objective of this study was to investigate phenotypic and morphological properties of equine platelet activation with a focus on CD62P (P-selectin) expression and CD62P mediated platelet-leukocyte interactions. To study high levels of platelet activation, we used 1 U/ml thrombin to induce secondary, irreversible aggregation in both human and equine platelets. Addition of glycyl-L-prolyl-L-arginyl-L-proline amide (GPRP) prior to thrombin activation blocked fibrin polymerization, allowing the use of flow cytometry to study alpha-granule expression as a measure of platelet activation. Thrombin activation resulted in high levels of activation, measured as P-selectin expression, in both humans and equines. Interestingly, our research illustrates that in healthy horses, P-selectin is also constitutively expressed on 20-25% of resting platelets. This finding is in direct contrast to humans, in which P-selectin expression is negligible (<5%) in the absence of agonist activation. The high baseline level of P-selectin expression among equine platelets may suggest that they are primed for leukocyte adhesion, possibly resulting in prothrombotic conditions. This phenomenon could be of significant clinical relevance, as it may be related to the rapid clinical decline often seen in equine patients with colic and endotoxemia, where vascular injury and thrombotic complications compromise patient survival. Based on these findings, further investigation into the mechanisms of platelet P-selectin-mediated inflammation and platelet-leukocyte mediated vascular injury in the horse appears warranted.

Evaluation of IgG concentration and IgG subisotypes in foals with complete or partial failure of passive transfer after administration of intravenous serum or plasma

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of an equine plasma product i.v. and a concentrated serum product i.v. to deliver antibodies to 46 foals with failure of passive transfer (FPT). Treatment of FPT was as per manufacturers recommendations, using plasma (950 ml/unit) or a concentrated serum product (250 ml/unit). Significant variables affecting the 3 day post-transfusion serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration of foals included body weight, pretransfusion IgG concentration, number of product units transfused, foaling season and product administered. Plasma treatment had a greater increase in post-transfusion serum IgG concentrations compared to the serum product treatment mainly because plasma contained approximately twice the amount of IgG per unit as the serum product. The change in equine influenza virus and tetanus toxoid-specific IgGa, IgGb, and IgG(T) titres was measured in foals from pretransfusion to 3 days post-transfusion. For each gram of IgG transfused, the change in antigen-specific IgG subisotypes were similar for both treatment groups. The results of this study suggest that similar foal serum IgG concentrations can be achieved 3 days post-transfusion by administering 1 unit of plasma or 2-3 units of serum product.

Passive transfer of maternal immunoglobulin isotype antibodies against tetanus and influenza and their effect on the response of foals to vaccination

Influenza and tetanus-specific antibodies of the IgG sub-isotypes are posively transferred to foals via colostrum and inhibit their response to inactivated influenza vaccines and tetanus toxoid. High titres of influenza antibodies of IgGa and IgGb subisotypes and tetanus antibodies of the IgGa, IgGb and IgG(T) subisotypes were detected in postsucking serum samples collected from foals born to mares that had received booster doses of multicomponent vaccines during the last 2 months of gestation. Thereafter, titres declined in an exponential manner but were still detectable in all foals at age 26 weeks, regardless of whether they had been vaccinated prior to age 26 weeks. Mean +/- s.e. half-life of decline of influenza IgGa antibodies (27.0 +/- 2.3 days) was significantly shorter than that of influenza IgGb antibodies (39.1 +/- 2.7 days; P<0.005). Tetanus IgGa and IgGb antibodies declined with half-lives of 28.8 +/- 3.0 and 34.8 +/- 5.1 days, respectively. Titres of tetanus IgG(T) antibodies were substantially higher than those of influenza IgG(T) antibodies in postsucking samples and remained so through age 26 weeks, declining with a half-life of approximately 35 days. Postsucking titres of tetanus and influenza antibodies of the IgA isotype were low and declined rapidly to undetectable levels. Yearlings showed significant increases in titre of influenza IgGa, IgGb and IgG(T) subisotype antibodies but no increase in influenza IgA antibodies in response to 2 doses of multicomponent vaccines containing tetanus toxoid and inactivated influenza A-1 and A-2 antigens. Yearlings also showed strong tetanus IgGa, IgGb and IgG(T) subisotype responses to one dose of vaccine and a substantial further rise in titre in response to administration of a second dose 3 weeks later, but failed to show an increase in titre of tetanus IgA antibodies. The influenza and tetanus IgGa, IgGb and IgG(T) subisotype responses of 6-month-old foals to vaccination followed the same pattern as those shown by yearlings but titres were generally lower. In contrast, 3-month-old foals failed to show increases in titre of either influenza or tetanus IgG subisotypes in response to 2 doses of vaccine and generally needed 1-3 additional booster doses of vaccine to achieve titres similar to those achieved by yearlings after 2 doses. Based on the finding that maternal antibodies exert a significant inhibitory effect on the response of foals to tetanus toxoid and inactivated influenza antigens, it is recommended that primary immunisation of foals born to vaccinated mares should not commence before age 6 months.

A new modified live equine influenza virus vaccine: phenotypic stability, restricted spread and efficacy against heterologous virus challenge

Flu Avert IN vaccine is a new, live attenuated virus vaccine for equine influenza. We tested this vaccine in vivo to ascertain 1) its safety and stability when subjected to serial horse to horse passage, 2) whether it spread spontaneously from horse to horse and 3) its ability to protect against heterologous equine influenza challenge viruses of epidemiological relevance. For the stability study, the vaccine was administered to 5 ponies. Nasal swabs were collected and pooled fluids administered directly to 4 successive groups of naïve ponies by intranasal inoculation. Viruses isolated from the last group retained the vaccine's full attenuation phenotype, with no reversion to the wild-type virus phenotype or production of clinical influenza disease. The vaccine virus spread spontaneously to only 1 of 13 nonvaccinated horses/ponies when these were comingled with 39 vaccinates in the same field. For the heterologous protection study, a challenge model system was utilised in which vaccinated or naïve control horses and ponies were exposed to the challenge virus by inhalation of virus-containing aerosols. Challenge viruses included influenza A/equine-2/Kentucky/98, a recent representative of the 'American' lineage of equine-2 influenza viruses; and A/equine-2/Saskatoon/90, representative of the 'Eurasian' lineage. Clinical signs among challenged animals were recorded daily using a standardised scoring protocol. With both challenge viruses, control animals reliably contracted clinical signs of influenza, whereas vaccinated animals were reliably protected from clinical disease. These results demonstrate that Flu Avert IN vaccine is safe and phenotypically stable, has low spontaneous transmissibility and is effective in protecting horses against challenge viruses representative of those in circulation worldwide.

G551D CF mice display an abnormal host response and have impaired clearance of Pseudomonas lung disease

Several cystic fibrosis (CF) mouse models demonstrate an increased susceptibility to Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection, characterized by excessive inflammation and high rates of mortality. Here we developed a model of chronic P. aeruginosa lung disease in mice homozygous for the murine CF transmembrane conductance regulator G551D mutation that provides an excellent model for CF lung disease. After 3 days of infection with mucoid P. aeruginosa entrapped in agar beads, the G551D animals lost substantially more body weight than non-CF control animals and were less able to control the infection, harboring over 40-fold more bacteria in the lung. The airways of infected G551D animals contained altered concentrations of the inflammatory mediators tumor necrosis factor-alpha, KC/N51, and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 during the first 2 days of infection, suggesting that an ineffective inflammatory response is partly responsible for the clearance defect.

Safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of a modified-live equine influenza virus vaccine in ponies after induction of exercise-induced immunosuppression

OBJECTIVE

To determine safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity of an intranasal cold-adapted modified-live equine influenza virus vaccine administered to ponies following induction of exercise-induced immunosuppression.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

ANIMALS

Fifteen 9- to 15-month old ponies that had not had influenza.

PROCEDURE

Five ponies were vaccinated after 5 days of strenuous exercise on a high-speed treadmill, 5 were vaccinated without undergoing exercise, and 5 were not vaccinated or exercised and served as controls. Three months later, all ponies were challenged by nebulization of homologous equine influenza virus. Clinical and hematologic responses and viral shedding were monitored, and serum and nasal secretions were collected for determination of influenza-virus-specific antibody isotype responses.

RESULTS

Exercise caused immunosuppression, as indicated by depression of lymphocyte proliferation in response to pokeweed mitogen. Vaccination did not result in adverse clinical effects, and none of the vaccinated ponies developed clinical signs of infection following challenge exposure. In contrast, challenge exposure caused marked clinical signs of respiratory tract disease in 4 control ponies. Vaccinated and control ponies shed virus after challenge exposure. Antibody responses to vaccination were restricted to serum IgGa and IgGb responses in both vaccination groups. After challenge exposure, ponies in all groups generated serum IgGa and IgGb and nasal IgA responses. Patterns of serum hemagglutination inhibition titers were similar to patterns of IgGa and IgGb responses.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggested that administration of this MLV vaccine to ponies with exercise-induced immunosuppression was safe and that administration of a single dose to ponies provided clinical protection 3 months later.

Molecular cloning, sequencing, and expression of equine interleukin-6

Equine interleukin-6 (IL-6) cDNA was amplified from mitogen-stimulated equine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using consensus sequence primers. The 727bp amplified cDNA contains the entire coding region for equine IL-6 and includes 118 bases in the 3' non-translated region. The coding sequence translates to a protein of 208 amino acids with a predicted 28 amino acid leader sequence. The mature protein of 180 amino acids has a predicted molecular mass of 20471Da without post-translational modifications. The amino acid sequence of equine IL-6 displays between 46 and 84% similarity to other mammalian IL-6 sequences. Expression of equine IL-6 in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells yielded a supernatant that supported the proliferation of B9 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of B9 cells with an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody ablated the response to the recombinant equine IL-6.

Effects of dexamethasone on development of immunoglobulin G subclass responses following vaccination of horses

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effects of dexamethasone on development of IgG subclass responses following vaccination of healthy horses.

ANIMALS

11 mature Thoroughbreds.

PROCEDURE

Horses received 2 IM injections at 2-week intervals of a vaccine containing inactivated infectious bovine rhinotracheitis, bovine viral diarrhea, and parainfluenza-3 viral antigens and were then randomly assigned to 2 groups. Six horses received dexamethasone (0.2 mg/kg of body weight, IM) twice weekly for 8 weeks starting the day of the first vaccination. Five control horses received an equivalent volume of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Antigen-specific serum IgG subclass titers were determined weekly after vaccination by use of an ELISA.

RESULTS

Vaccination resulted in similar antigen-specific serum IgG(T) titers in dexamethasone-treated and control horses. In contrast, although control horses developed IgGa and IgGb responses after vaccination, corticosteroid administration completely inhibited these responses in treated horses.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Cortico steroids can have profound effects on primary immune responses in horses and can significantly affect IgG responses to inactivated vaccines. Corticosteroid treatment regimens commonly used to treat diseases in horses may result induction of a nonprotective IgG subclass response, leaving treated horses susceptible to disease. Additionally, mechanisms regulating IgGa and IgGb responses appear to differ from those regulating IgG(T) responses. Further defining these mechanisms is a critical step in designing effective vaccines, and corticosteroid-induced immunomodulation may be a valuable tool for studying immune responses in horses.

Placental expression of the nonclassical MHC class I molecule Mamu-AG at implantation in the rhesus monkey

During human implantation trophoblasts mediate attachment of the embryo to the uterine epithelium and invade and reorganize vessels of the maternal endometrium to initiate blood flow to the intervillous space. Expression of the nonclassical MHC class I molecule HLA-G by invading trophoblasts may play a central role in their protection from recognition by the maternal immune system; however, the ontogeny of trophoblast HLA-G expression during the earliest stages of implantation is difficult to evaluate in human pregnancy. We previously identified a novel nonclassical MHC class I molecule, Mamu-AG, which is expressed in the rhesus monkey placenta and shares many unique characteristics of HLA-G. Immunocytochemical analysis with a Mamu-AG-specific mAb and locus-specific in situ hybridization of rhesus implantation sites 7-12 days after embryo attachment (days 14-19 of pregnancy) demonstrated that Mamu-AG molecules are expressed predominantly in cytotrophoblasts invading the maternal vessels and endometrium, whereas syncytiotrophoblasts covering trophoblastic lacunae or newly formed chorionic villi remained largely Mamu-AG-negative. By day 36 of pregnancy, Mamu-AG glycoprotein also was expressed in villous syncytiotrophoblasts, and accumulation of Mamu-AG glycoprotein was noted at the border between maternal decidua and fetal trophoblasts. The ontogeny of a nonclassical MHC class I molecule at the implantation site supports the hypothesis that its expression is important for the establishment of maternal-fetal immune tolerance.

G551D cystic fibrosis mice exhibit abnormal regulation of inflammation in lungs and macrophages

The major cause of death in cystic fibrosis (CF) is chronic lung disease associated with persistent infection by the bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. S100A8, an S-100 calcium-binding protein with chemotactic activity, is constitutively expressed in the lungs and serum of CF patients. Levels of S100A8 mRNA were found to be three to four times higher in the lungs of mice carrying the G551D mutation in CF transmembrane conductance regulator compared with littermate controls. Intravenous injection of bacterial LPS induced S100A8 mRNA in the lung to a greater extent in G551D mice than in wild-type littermates. Localization of S100A8 mRNA and protein in the lung indicate that it is a marker for neutrophil accumulation. Bone marrow-derived macrophages from G551D mice were shown to also exhibit hypersensitivity to LPS, measured by induction of TNF-alpha. These results provide evidence that the pathology of CF relates to abnormal regulation of the immune system.

Equine vaccination

Equine infectious disease remains a constant and important threat to the health of domesticated horses. Vaccination plays a critical role in protecting against such disease, but at the present time the efficacy of some equine vaccination strategies is in doubt. The best strategy for resolving these concerns is an improved knowledge of the immunologic basis of successful vaccination, combined with the appropriate integration of effective vaccines into well-designed disease control policies.

Immunodiagnostic testing in horses

Technologic advances in immunodiagnostic testing have enhanced our understanding of the pathogenesis of a broad array of diseases, including infectious diseases, immunodeficiency disorders, and immune-mediated disorders. If applied rationally, with an understanding of the questions the tests answer as well as the limitations that constrain their use, these tests can serve as valuable aids in the diagnosis and management of equine diseases.

Effects of experimentally generated bull antisperm antibodies on in vitro fertilization

To test the hypothesis that bull antisperm antibodies have the capacity to interfere with fertilization, antisperm antibodies were generated in three 13-mo-old Holstein bulls by auto-immunizing each bull with sperm three times. All bulls produced serum antisperm IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies. No serum antisperm IgA nor seminal plasma antisperm antibodies of any isotype could be detected by ELISA. Western blots were performed with immunopurified IgG1 and IgG2 from pre- and post-immunization sera from one test bull. Both post-immunization IgG1 and IgG2 recognized a 45-kDa sperm antigen. Serum samples from a normal bull stud population tested by ELISA had significantly higher levels of antisperm antibodies than did heifers. The bull stud serum samples giving the highest ELISA values differed from those of the immunized bulls in that their antisperm antibodies were of the IgM isotype only. Bull sperm were incubated with serum from the immunized and control bulls, then added to bovine oocytes in vitro. Incubation of sperm with post-immunization serum reduced in vitro fertilization rates (p < 0.01). This study demonstrated that antisperm IgG1 and IgG2 generated by sperm auto-immunizations reduced fertility in vitro, and therefore naturally occurring antisperm antibodies may affect fertility in bulls.

Antibody responses to DNA vaccination of horses using the influenza virus hemagglutinin gene

Equine influenza virus infection remains one of the most important infectious diseases of the horse, yet current vaccines offer only limited protection. The equine immune response to natural influenza virus infection results in long-term protective immunity, and is characterized by mucosal IgA and serum IgGa and IgGb antibody responses. DNA vaccination offers a radical alternative to conventional vaccines, with the potential to generate the same protective immune responses seen following viral infection. Antigen-specific antibody isotype responses in serum and mucosal secretions were studied in ponies following particle-mediated delivery of hemagglutinin (HA)-DNA vaccination on three occasions at approximately 63-day intervals. One group of four ponies were vaccinated at skin and mucosal sites and the another group were vaccinated at skin sites only. All ponies were subjected to a challenge infection 30 days after the third vaccination. Skin and mucosal vaccination provided complete protection from clinical signs of infection, while skin vaccination provided partial protection; DNA vaccination provided partial protection from viral shedding. DNA vaccination generated only IgGa and IgGb antibody responses, which occurred with a higher frequency in the skin and mucosa vaccinated ponies. No mucosal IgA response was generated prior to challenge infection and IgA responses were only detected in those ponies which shed virus postchallenge. These results demonstrate that HA-DNA vaccination induces IgG(a) and IgG(b) antibody responses which are associated with protection in the absence of mucosal IgA responses. In addition, additional DNA vaccinations of mucosal sites increased protection and the frequency of seroconversion in ponies.

Antibody selection for immunohistochemical survey of equine tissue

Immunohistochemical evaluation of equine tissue necessitates the use of antibodies reactive with cells from a heterogeneous population. Lymphoid tissues from 12 horses were fixed in Bouin's fluid, ethanol or formalin and examined for immunohistochemical reactivity with anti-equine and anti-human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for MHC Class II antigens, T and B lymphocytes, and macrophages. Only a few of the anti-equine MAbs tested were reactive with fixed, paraffin wax-embedded tissue. Anti-human MAbs expanded the desired range of reactivity and increased the consistency in different animals. The anti-equine MAbs conferred species specificity and anti-human MAbs provided an increased spectrum of reactivity.

Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis: a rapid method for differentiating BoLA-DRB3 alleles

The products of the BoLA-DRB3 locus are important molecules in the bovine immune response. Several techniques have been used to study and define this locus but they are generally time consuming and limited in their ability to detect novel alleles. In this study we used denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), and direct sequencing, for BoLA-DRB3-typing. First, modified locus-specific primers were used in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a 240 bp fragment of exon 2 of BoLA-DRB3 from the genomic DNA of 22 cattle and one pair of twin calves. The reverse primer included a GC-rich clamp to improve the physical separation of the BoLA-DRB3 alleles by DGGE. The denaturing gradient needed to produce separation of alleles was determined using perpendicular DGGE, and this gradient was then applied to parallel denaturing gels. The optimal time for producing allele separation was determined using a time-series analysis. The bands representing individual BoLA-DRB3 alleles were excised from the gels, reamplified, and the nucleotide sequence determined using fluorescent-based automated cycle sequencing. The nucleotide sequences of the separated bands were then compared to published BoLA-DRB3 alleles. A gradient of 10-15% acrylamide combined with a 15-50% ureaformamide gradient was successfully used to separate BoLA-DRB3 alleles in all individuals examined. Nucleotide sequencing showed that the 24 animals possessed 13 BoLA-DRB3 alleles, all of which have been previously described. The BoLA-DRB3 genotypes included 20 heterozygotes and two homozygotes. Three BoLA-DRB3 alleles were seen in each of the twin calves, possibly due to leukochimerism. The technique is reliable and rapid, and avoids cloning alleles prior to nucleotide sequencing and therefore offers distinct advantages over previous techniques for BoLA-DRB3-typing.

Local and systemic isotype-specific antibody responses to equine influenza virus infection versus conventional vaccination

Inactivated alum-adjuvanted conventional equine influenza virus vaccines are of poor efficacy and offer limited short-term protection against infection. In sharp contrast, natural infection with equine influenza virus confers long-term protective immunity. In order to identify the protective immune responses to equine influenza virus, the influenza virus-specific IgA, IgGa, IgGb, IgGc and IgG(T) antibody responses in nasal secretions and serum induced by natural infection and a commercial vaccine were studied by ELISA. Two groups of four influenza-naive ponies were established. In the natural infection group, ponies received 10(8.5) EID50 of A/equine/Ky/1/81 by intranasal instillation, were allowed to recover, and then were rechallenged 100 days later. All four ponies exhibited clinical signs of influenza virus infection and viral shedding following primary infection, but were completely protected from challenge infection. Antibody responses to primary infection were characterized by nasal IgA and serum IgGa and IgGb responses. Ponies in the conventional vaccine group received a commercially available vaccine by intramuscular injection followed by a booster injection 3 weeks later. Challenge infection 100 days after vaccination resulted in clinical signs of infection and viral shedding. Antibody responses to vaccination were restricted to serum IgG(T) responses only. These results demonstrate that the protective immunity generated by natural equine influenza virus infection is associated with a mucosal IgA immune response and humoral IgGa and IgGb sub-isotype responses, and that this pattern of response is not generated by conventional vaccines.