Expression and characterization of a recombinant porcinized antibody against the E2 protein of classical swine fever virus

Safety and Immunogenicity of Chimeric Pestivirus KD26_E2LOM in Piglets and Calves

A chimeric pestivirus (KD26_E2LOM) was prepared by inserting the E2 gene of the classical swine fever virus (CSFV) LOM strain into the backbone of the bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) KD26 strain. KD26_E2LOM was obtained by transfecting the cDNA pACKD26_E2LOM into PK-15 cells. KD26_E2LOM chimeric pestivirus proliferated to titers of 106.5 TCID50/mL and 108.0 TCID50/mL at 96 h post-inoculation into PK-15 cells or MDBK cells, respectively. It also reacted with antibodies specific for CSFV E2 and BVDV Erns, but not with an anti-BVDV E2 antibody. Piglets (55-60 days old) inoculated with a high dose (107.0 TCID50/mL) of KD26_E2LOM produced high levels of CSFV E2 antibodies. In addition, no co-habiting pigs were infected with KD26_E2LOM; however, some inoculated pigs excreted the virus, and the virus was detected in some organs. When pregnant sows were inoculated during the first trimester (55-60 days) with a high dose (107.0 TCID50/mL) of KD26_E2LOM, anti-CSFV E2 antibodies were produced at high levels; chimeric pestivirus was detected in one fetus and in the ileum of one sow. When 5-day-old calves that did not consume colostrum received a high dose (107.0 TCID50/mL) of KD26_E2LOM, one calf secreted the virus in both feces and nasal fluid on Day 2. A high dose of KD26_E2LOM does not induce specific clinical signs in most animals, does not spread from animal to animal, and generates CSFV E2 antibodies with DVIA functions. Therefore, chimeric pestivirus KD26_E2LOM is a potential CSFV live marker vaccine.

Antibody Phage Display Technology for Sensor-Based Virus Detection: Current Status and Future Prospects

Viruses are widespread in the environment, and many of them are major pathogens of serious plant, animal, and human diseases. The risk of pathogenicity, together with the capacity for constant mutation, emphasizes the need for measures to rapidly detect viruses. The need for highly sensitive bioanalytical methods to diagnose and monitor socially significant viral diseases has increased in the past few years. This is due, on the one hand, to the increased incidence of viral diseases in general (including the unprecedented spread of a new coronavirus infection, SARS-CoV-2), and, on the other hand, to the need to overcome the limitations of modern biomedical diagnostic methods. Phage display technology antibodies as nano-bio-engineered macromolecules can be used for sensor-based virus detection. This review analyzes the commonly used virus detection methods and approaches and shows the prospects for the use of antibodies prepared by phage display technology as sensing elements for sensor-based virus detection.

Recombinant antibodies by phage display for bioanalytical applications

Antibody phage display, aimed at preparing antibodies to defined antigens, is a useful replacement for hybridoma technology. The phage system replaces all work stages that follow animal immunization with simple procedures for manipulating DNA and bacteria. It enables the time needed to generate stable antibody-producing clones to be shortened considerably, making the process noticeably cheaper. Antibodies prepared by phage display undergo several affinity selection steps and can be used as selective receptors in biosensors. This article briefly describes the techniques used in the making of phage antibodies to various antigens. The possibilities and prospects are discussed of using phage antibodies as selective agents in analytical systems, including biosensors.

Research Progress and Challenges in Vaccine Development against Classical Swine Fever Virus

Classical swine fever (CSF), caused by CSF virus (CSFV), is one of the most devastating viral epizootic diseases of swine in many countries. To control the disease, highly efficacious and safe live attenuated vaccines have been used for decades. However, the main drawback of these conventional vaccines is the lack of differentiability of infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA concept). Advances in biotechnology and our detailed knowledge of multiple basic science disciplines have facilitated the development of effective and safer DIVA vaccines to control CSF. To date, two types of DIVA vaccines have been developed commercially, including the subunit vaccines based on CSFV envelope glycoprotein E2 and chimeric pestivirus vaccines based on infectious cDNA clones of CSFV or bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). Although inoculation of these vaccines successfully induces solid immunity against CSFV, none of them could ideally meet all demands regarding to safety, efficacy, DIVA potential, and marketability. Due to the limitations of the available choices, researchers are still striving towards the development of more advanced DIVA vaccines against CSF. This review summarizes the present status of candidate CSFV vaccines that have been developed. The strategies and approaches revealed here may also be helpful for the development of new-generation vaccines against other diseases.

Production of a full chimeric mouse x pig anti-porcine DEC205 receptor recombinant antibody

Recombinant hybrid antibodies are commonly used in antigen-targeting assays to reduce the immunogenic potential associated with using classic mouse antibodies in other species. The DEC205 receptor has become an attractive target due to its effectiveness in activating the immune response and is considered a promising vaccination target. The aim of this study was to produce a fully chimeric mouse x pig anti-porcine DEC205 recombinant antibody (rAb). Based on a mouse anti-porcine DEC205 monoclonal antibody (mAb), we designed and expressed a chimeric mouse x pig rAb using the Expi293f system. The resulting rAb maintained the recognition capacity of the native mouse mAb toward the porcine DEC205 receptor, as evidenced by western blot analysis. By using flow cytometry, we evaluated the ability of the rAb to recognize DEC205⁺ dendritic cells. In conclusion, the chimeric mouse x pig anti-DEC205 rAb can be used in antigen-targeting assays as a vaccination strategy in pigs.

Construction of Antibody Phage Libraries and Their Application in Veterinary Immunovirology

Antibody phage display (APD) technology has revolutionized the field of immunovirology with its application in viral disease diagnostics and antiviral therapy. This robust and versatile technology allows the expression of an antibody fused to a phage coat protein on the surface of a filamentous phage. The DNA sequence coding for the antibody is packaged within the phage, linking the phenotype to genotype. Antibody phage display inherits the ability to rapidly generate and modify or improve high-affinity monoclonal antibodies, rendering it indispensable in immunology. In the last two decades, phage-display-derived antibodies have been extensively used in human medicine as diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Recently, they are also gaining significant ground in veterinary medicine. Even though these advancements are mainly biased towards economically important animals such as chicken, cattle, and pigs, they are laying the foundation of fulfilling the unmet needs of veterinary medicine as antibody-based biologics in viral diagnostics, therapeutics, and immunoprophylaxis. This review provides a brief overview of the construction of antibody phage libraries and their application in diagnosis, prevention, and control of infectious viral diseases in veterinary medicine in detail.

Development of a marker vaccine candidate against classical swine fever based on the live attenuated vaccine C-strain

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious and economically damaging disease. Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) lapinized vaccine C-strain against CSF worldwide lacks the capacity for the serological differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA). To develop a marker C-strain complying with the DIVA principle, we generated and evaluated mutants rHCLV-E2F117A, rHCLV-E2G119A, and rHCLV-E2P122A, which harbor the single amino acid mutation at ¹¹⁷F, ¹¹⁹G or ¹²²P of the monoclonal antibody HQ06-recognized epitope on the E2 glycoprotein in rabbits and pigs. Viral intravenous administration demonstrated that all the mutants retain the phenotype of C-strain in rabbits, including fever response induction and replication in the spleen. Notably, the HQ06-recognized epitope did not react with the antibodies induced by rHCLV-E2P122A in rabbits, in contrast with C-strain and other two mutants. Intramuscular administration of rHCLV-E2P122A in pigs induced anti-CSFV neutralizing antibodies but not antibodies against the HQ06-recognized epitope at 28 days post-inoculation. Collectively, our data demonstrate that rHCLV-E2P122A is a promising marker vaccine candidate against CSF.

Efficient mucosal vaccination of a novel classical swine fever virus E2-Fc fusion protein mediated by neonatal Fc receptor

Classical swine fever (CSF) remains one of the most important highly contagious and fatal viral disease of swine with high morbidity and mortality. CSF is caused by classical swine fever virus (CSFV), a small, enveloped RNA virus of the genus Pestivirus. The aim of this study was to construct the a novel CSFV Fc-fusion recombinant protein and evaluate the efficacy as a vaccine against CSFV. Here, we obtained a novel subunit vaccine expressing CSFV E2 recombinant fusion protein in CHO-S cells. Functional analysis revealed that CSFV Fc-fusion recombinant protein (CSFV-E2-Fc) could bind to FcγRI on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and significantly increase IgA levels in serum and feces, inducing stronger mucosal immune response in swine. Additionally, CSFV-E2-Fc immunization enhanced CSFV-specific T cell immune response with a Th1-like pattern of cytokine secretion, remarkably stimulated the Th1-biased cellular immune response and humoral immune response. Further, the protective effects of CSFV-E2-Fc subunit vaccines were confirmed. The data suggest that CSFV E2-Fc recombinant fusion protein may be a promising candidate subunit vaccine to elicit immune response and protect against CSFV.

Generation of porcine monoclonal antibodies based on single cell technologies

The development of a rapid and efficient system to generate porcine monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is an important step toward the discovery of critical neutralizing targets for designing rational vaccines against porcine viruses. In this study, we established a platform for producing porcine mAbs based on single cell technologies. First, we singled out an optimal donor from 507 pigs based on serum antibody neutralizing activity against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). After identifying the contribution of IgG to the neutralizing activity, single CD45R⁺IgG⁺Ag⁺ B cells were sorted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Single B cell RT-PCR was performed using primers designed to cover the germline repertoire of the porcine VH/VL gene segments. Paired VH/VLs were cloned into a eukaryotic expression vector and transfected into 293T cells. We demonstrate that full-length porcine mAbs were produced, and antigen-specific mAbs were obtained after further validation. The approach reported in this study can be applied to generate porcine mAbs against any given antigen and may help with the screening of neutralizing antibodies against porcine pathogens.

Development of Whole-Porcine Monoclonal Antibodies with Potent Neutralization Activity against Classical Swine Fever Virus from Single B Cells

Classical swine fever (CSF) is a highly contagious swine disease that causes devastating economic losses. However, there are few efficacious therapeutic antibodies against the CSF virus (CSFV). Accordingly, we isolated two whole-porcine anti-CSFV neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) directly from single B cells sorted using the conserved linear epitope of the CSFV E2 protein and goat anti-pig IgG. These mAbs, termed HK24 and HK44, can bind to the E2 protein by recognizing sites within the conserved linear epitope of E2. In addition, these two mAbs can detect virus infection with high specificity and possess potent neutralizing activity. HK24 and HK44 protect PK-15 cells from CSFV infections in vitro with potent IC₅₀ values of 9.3 and 0.62 μg/mL, respectively. We anticipate that these antibodies can be used as diagnostic and antiviral agents for CSFV and that the method we describe here will accelerate the production of therapeutic antibodies for other viruses.

Recombinant Antibodies in Veterinary Medicine: An Update

The production of recombinant antibodies has had a tremendous impact on several research fields, most prominently in biotechnology, immunology and medicine, enabling enormous advances in each. Thus far, a broad diversity of recombinant antibody (rAb) forms have been designed and expressed using different expression systems. Even though the majority of rAbs approved for clinical use are targeted to humans, advances in veterinary medicine seem promising. The aim of this mini-review is to present an update regarding the rAbs in veterinary medicine reported to date, as well as their potential use in diagnostics, prophylaxis and therapeutics. Full- and single-chain fragment variables are the most common forms of rAbs developed for the detection, prevention and control of parasitic, bacterial and viral diseases, as well as pain and cancer treatment. Nonetheless, advances in research seem to be skewed toward economically important animals, such as pigs, cows, poultry and dogs. Although significant results have been obtained from the rAbs reported here, most have not been developed enough to be approved. Further research and clinical trials should be encouraged to enable important findings to fulfill their intended potential to improve animal well-being.