Recognition of bovine respiratory syncytial virus proteins by bovine CD8+ T lymphocytes

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection in feedlot cattle cases in Argentina

Although bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) infection has been reported in cattle in Argentina, it has not been associated with pneumonia in Argentina. We report here 5 cases of bovine pneumonia associated with BRSV. Autopsies were performed on 35 beef cattle with gross and/or microscopic lesions of pneumonia from 3 commercial feedlots. Lung samples in 5 of 35 animals were BRSV-positive by reverse-transcription nested PCR. The lungs of 2 of these 5 animals were coinfected with Mannheimia haemolytica, and 1 with bovine viral diarrhea virus 1. Microscopically, the lungs of 3 of the 5 BRSV PCR-positive animals had fibrinosuppurative bronchopneumonia, with or without pleuritis; 2 of the 5 had interstitial pneumonia. We conclude that BRSV is part of the bovine respiratory disease complex in Argentina.

Identification of a DRB3*011:01-restricted CD4+ T cell response against bovine respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein

Although Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV) is a significant cause of severe respiratory disease with high morbidity and mortality in pediatric and elderly populations worldwide there is no licensed vaccine. Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) is a closely related orthopneumovirus with similar genome structure and high homology between structural and nonstructural proteins. Like HRSV in children, BRSV is highly prevalent in dairy and beef calves and known to be involved in the etiology of bovine respiratory disease, in addition to being considered an excellent model for HRSV. Commercial vaccines are currently available for BRSV, though improvements in efficacy are needed. The aims of this study were to identify CD4+ T cell epitopes present in the fusion glycoprotein of BRSV, an immunogenic surface glycoprotein that mediates membrane fusion and a major target of neutralizing antibodies. Overlapping peptides representing three regions of the BRSV F protein were used to stimulate autologous CD4+ T cells in ELISpot assays. T cell activation was observed only in cells from cattle with the DRB3*011:01 allele by peptides from AA249-296 of the BRSV F protein. Antigen presentation studies with C-terminal truncated peptides further defined the minimum peptide recognized by the DRB3*011:01 allele. Computationally predicted peptides presented by artificial antigen presenting cells further confirmed the amino acid sequence of a DRB3*011:01 restricted class II epitope on the BRSV F protein. These studies are the first to identify the minimum peptide length of a BoLA-DRB3 class II-restricted epitope in BRSV F protein.

Are CD45RO+ and CD45RA- genuine markers for bovine memory T cells?

Effective vaccination induces memory T cells, which protect the host against pathogen re-infections. Therefore, detection of memory T cells is essential for evaluating vaccine efficacy, which was originally dependent on cytokine induction assays. Currently, two isoforms of CD45 tyrosine phosphatase, CD45RO expression and CD45RA exclusion (CD45RO+/ CD45RA-) are used extensively for detecting memory T cells in cattle. The CD45RO+/CD45RA- markers were first established in humans around three decades ago, and were adopted in cattle soon after. However, in the last two decades, some published data in humans have challenged the initial paradigm, and required multiple markers for identifying memory T cells. On the contrary, memory T cell detection in cattle still mostly relies on CD45RO+/CD45RA- despite some controversial evidence. In this review, we summarized the current literature to examine if CD45RO+/CD45RA- are valid markers for detecting memory T cells in cattle. It seems CD45RA and CD45RO (CD45RA/RO) as markers for identifying bovine memory T cells are questionable.

Integrated Network Analysis to Identify Key Modules and Potential Hub Genes Involved in Bovine Respiratory Disease: A Systems Biology Approach

Background: Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most common disease in the beef and dairy cattle industry. BRD is a multifactorial disease resulting from the interaction between environmental stressors and infectious agents. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying BRD are not fully understood yet. Therefore, this study aimed to use a systems biology approach to systematically evaluate this disorder to better understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for BRD. Methods: Previously published RNA-seq data from whole blood of 18 healthy and 25 BRD samples were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and then analyzed. Next, two distinct methods of weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), i.e., module-trait relationships (MTRs) and module preservation (MP) analysis were used to identify significant highly correlated modules with clinical traits of BRD and non-preserved modules between healthy and BRD samples, respectively. After identifying respective modules by the two mentioned methods of WGCNA, functional enrichment analysis was performed to extract the modules that are biologically related to BRD. Gene coexpression networks based on the hub genes from the candidate modules were then integrated with protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks to identify hub-hub genes and potential transcription factors (TFs). Results: Four significant highly correlated modules with clinical traits of BRD as well as 29 non-preserved modules were identified by MTRs and MP methods, respectively. Among them, two significant highly correlated modules (identified by MTRs) and six nonpreserved modules (identified by MP) were biologically associated with immune response, pulmonary inflammation, and pathogenesis of BRD. After aggregation of gene coexpression networks based on the hub genes with PPI networks, a total of 307 hub-hub genes were identified in the eight candidate modules. Interestingly, most of these hub-hub genes were reported to play an important role in the immune response and BRD pathogenesis. Among the eight candidate modules, the turquoise (identified by MTRs) and purple (identified by MP) modules were highly biologically enriched in BRD. Moreover, STAT1, STAT2, STAT3, IRF7, and IRF9 TFs were suggested to play an important role in the immune system during BRD by regulating the coexpressed genes of these modules. Additionally, a gene set containing several hub-hub genes was identified in the eight candidate modules, such as TLR2, TLR4, IL10, SOCS3, GZMB, ANXA1, ANXA5, PTEN, SGK1, IFI6, ISG15, MX1, MX2, OAS2, IFIH1, DDX58, DHX58, RSAD2, IFI44, IFI44L, EIF2AK2, ISG20, IFIT5, IFITM3, OAS1Y, HERC5, and PRF1, which are potentially critical during infection with agents of bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC). Conclusion: This study not only helps us to better understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for BRD but also suggested eight candidate modules along with several promising hub-hub genes as diagnosis biomarkers and therapeutic targets for BRD.

Review on bovine respiratory syncytial virus and bovine parainfluenza - usual suspects in bovine respiratory disease - a narrative review

Bovine Respiratory Syncytial virus (BRSV) and Bovine Parainfluenza 3 virus (BPIV3) are closely related viruses involved in and both important pathogens within bovine respiratory disease (BRD), a major cause of morbidity with economic losses in cattle populations around the world. The two viruses share characteristics such as morphology and replication strategy with each other and with their counterparts in humans, HRSV and HPIV3. Therefore, BRSV and BPIV3 infections in cattle are considered useful animal models for HRSV and HPIV3 infections in humans.

The interaction between the viruses and the different branches of the host’s immune system is rather complex. Neutralizing antibodies seem to be a correlate of protection against severe disease, and cell-mediated immunity is thought to be essential for virus clearance following acute infection. On the other hand, the host’s immune response considerably contributes to the tissue damage in the upper respiratory tract.

BRSV and BPIV3 also have similar pathobiological and epidemiological features. Therefore, combination vaccines against both viruses are very common and a variety of traditional live attenuated and inactivated BRSV and BPIV3 vaccines are commercially available.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection Induces Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase, CD3, and CD8 in Naturally Occurring Pneumonia in Lambs

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an RNA virus that belongs to the Pneumovirus genus of the Paramyxoviridae family. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS), CD3 (pan T cells), and CD8 (cytotoxic T cells) in lamb lungs naturally infected with RSV using immunohistochemistry (IHC). For this purpose, 100 pneumonic and 10 control lung tissue samples were taken from lambs slaughtered in the slaughterhouse after macroscopic examination. The streptavidin– peroxidase method (ABC) was used for IHC staining, and it revealed RSV positivity in 18 of 100 examined lungs with pneumonia (18%). These positive cases were then immunostained for iNOS, CD3, and CD8, and compared to controls. In all these cases, an increase in iNOS expression (100%) was detected, the higher number of CD3+ T lymphocytes was detected in 14 (78%) cases while CD8+ T lymphocytes were detected in five (28%) cases, only. Given the increase of iNOS immunoexpression in all RSV-positive cases and increase in the number of CD3+ T lymphocytes in most cases, it was concluded that iNOS and CD3+ T lymphocytes play an important role in the immune response in lamb pneumonia with naturally occurring RSV infection. With this study, the role of the mentioned markers was evaluated for the first time in lambs naturally infected with RSV.

The Bacterial and Viral Agents of BRDC: Immune Evasion and Vaccine Developments

Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is a multifactorial disease of cattle which presents as bacterial and viral pneumonia. The causative agents of BRDC work in synergy to suppress the host immune response and increase the colonisation of the lower respiratory tracts by pathogenic bacteria. Environmental stress and/or viral infection predispose cattle to secondary bacterial infections via suppression of key innate and adaptive immune mechanisms. This allows bacteria to descend the respiratory tract unchallenged. BRDC is the costliest disease among feedlot cattle, and whilst vaccines exist for individual pathogens, there is still a lack of evidence for the efficacy of these vaccines and uncertainty surrounding the optimum timing of delivery. This review outlines the immunosuppressive actions of the individual pathogens involved in BRDC and highlights the key issues in the development of vaccinations against them.

Viral Vector Vaccines against Bluetongue Virus

Bluetongue virus (BTV), the prototype member of the genus Orbivirus (family Reoviridae), is the causative agent of an important livestock disease, bluetongue (BT), which is transmitted via biting midges of the genus Culicoides. To date, up to 29 serotypes of BTV have been described, which are classified as classical (BTV 1–24) or atypical (serotypes 25–27), and its distribution has been expanding since 1998, with important outbreaks in the Mediterranean Basin and devastating incursions in Northern and Western Europe. Classical vaccine approaches, such as live-attenuated and inactivated vaccines, have been used as prophylactic measures to control BT through the years. However, these vaccine approaches fail to address important matters like vaccine safety profile, effectiveness, induction of a cross-protective immune response among serotypes, and implementation of a DIVA (differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals) strategy. In this context, a wide range of recombinant vaccine prototypes against BTV, ranging from subunit vaccines to recombinant viral vector vaccines, have been investigated. This article offers a comprehensive outline of the live viral vectors used against BTV.

Utility of the Neonatal Calf Model for Testing Vaccines and Intervention Strategies for Use against Human RSV Infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of pediatric respiratory tract infections. It is estimated that two-thirds of infants are infected with RSV during the first year of life and it is one of the leading causes of death in this age group worldwide. Similarly, bovine RSV is a primary viral pathogen in cases of pneumonia in young calves and plays a significant role in bovine respiratory disease complex. Importantly, naturally occurring infection of calves with bovine RSV shares many features in common with human RSV infection. Herein, we update our current understanding of RSV infection in cattle, with particular focus on similarities between the calf and human infection, and the recent reports in which the neonatal calf has been employed for the development and testing of vaccines and therapeutics which may be applied to hRSV infection in humans.

Rapid identification of bovine MHCI haplotypes in genetically divergent cattle populations using next-generation sequencing

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region contains many genes that are key regulators of both innate and adaptive immunity including the polymorphic MHCI and MHCII genes. Consequently, the characterisation of the repertoire of MHC genes is critical to understanding the variation that determines the nature of immune responses. Our current knowledge of the bovine MHCI repertoire is limited with only the Holstein-Friesian breed having been studied in any depth. Traditional methods of MHCI genotyping are of low resolution and laborious and this has been a major impediment to a more comprehensive analysis of the MHCI repertoire of other cattle breeds. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have been used to enable high throughput and much higher resolution MHCI typing in a number of species. In this study we have developed a MiSeq platform approach and requisite bioinformatics pipeline to facilitate typing of bovine MHCI repertoires. The method was validated initially on a cohort of Holstein-Friesian animals and then demonstrated to enable characterisation of MHCI repertoires in African cattle breeds, for which there was limited or no available data. During the course of these studies we identified >140 novel classical MHCI genes and defined 62 novel MHCI haplotypes, dramatically expanding the known bovine MHCI repertoire.

Phenotypic and functional analysis of monocyte populations in cattle peripheral blood identifies a subset with high endocytic and allogeneic T-cell stimulatory capacity

Circulating monocytes in several mammalian species can be subdivided into functionally distinct subpopulations based on differential expression of surface molecules. We confirm that bovine monocytes express CD172a and MHC class II with two distinct populations of CD14⁺CD16^low/-CD163⁺ and CD14⁻CD16⁺⁺CD163^low- cells, and a more diffuse population of CD14⁺CD16⁺CD163⁺ cells. In contrast, ovine monocytes consisted of only a major CD14⁺CD16⁺ subset and a very low percentage of CD14⁻CD16⁺⁺cells. The bovine subsets expressed similar levels of CD80, CD40 and CD11c molecules and mRNA encoding CD115. However, further mRNA analyses revealed that the CD14⁻CD16⁺⁺ monocytes were CX3CR1^highCCR2^low whereas the major CD14⁺ subset was CX3CR1^lowCCR2^high. The former were positive for CD1b and had lower levels of CD11b and CD86 than the CD14⁺ monocytes. The more diffuse CD14⁺CD16⁺ population generally expressed intermediate levels of these molecules. All three populations responded to stimulation with phenol-extracted lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by producing interleukin (IL)-1β, with the CD16⁺⁺ subset expressing higher levels of IL-12 and lower levels of IL-10. The CD14⁻CD16⁺⁺ cells were more endocytic and induced greater allogeneic T cell responses compared to the other monocyte populations. Taken together the data show both similarities and differences between the classical, intermediate and non-classical definitions of monocytes as described for other mammalian species, with additional potential subpopulations. Further functional analyses of these monocyte populations may help explain inter-animal and inter-species variations to infection, inflammation and vaccination in ruminant livestock.

The assembly and characterisation of two structurally distinct cattle MHC class I haplotypes point to the mechanisms driving diversity

In cattle, there are six classical MHC class I genes that are variably present between different haplotypes. Almost all known haplotypes contain between one and three genes, with an allele of Gene 2 present on the vast majority. However, very little is known about the sequence and therefore structure and evolutionary history of this genomic region. To address this, we have refined the MHC class I region in the Hereford cattle genome assembly and sequenced a complete A14 haplotype from a homozygous Holstein. Comparison of the two haplotypes revealed extensive variation within the MHC class Ia region, but not within the flanking regions, with each gene contained within a conserved 63- to 68-kb sequence block. This variable region appears to have undergone block gene duplication and likely deletion at regular breakpoints, suggestive of a site-specific mechanism. Phylogenetic analysis using complete gene sequences provided evidence of allelic diversification via gene conversion, with breakpoints between each of the extracellular domains that were associated with high guanine-cytosine (GC) content. Advancing our knowledge of cattle MHC class I evolution will help inform investigations of cattle genetic diversity and disease resistance.

Animal models of respiratory syncytial virus infection and disease

The study of human respiratory syncytial virus pathogenesis and immunity has been hampered by its exquisite host specificity, and the difficulties encountered in adapting this virus to a murine host. The reasons for this obstacle are not well understood, but appear to reflect, at least in part, the inability of the virus to block the interferon response in any but the human host. This review addresses some of the issues encountered in mouse models of respiratory syncytial virus infection, and describes the advantages and disadvantages of alternative model systems.

Immunology of bovine respiratory syncytial virus in calves

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) is an important cause of respiratory disease in young calves. The virus is genetically and antigenically closely related to human (H)RSV, which is a major cause of respiratory disease in young infants. As a natural pathogen of calves, BRSV infection recapitulates the pathogenesis of respiratory disease in man more faithfully than semi-permissive, animal models of HRSV infection. With the increasing availability of immunological reagents, the calf can be used to dissect the pathogenesis of and mechanisms of immunity to RSV infection, to analyse the ways in which the virus proteins interact with components of the innate response, and to evaluate RSV vaccine strategies. Passively transferred, neutralising bovine monoclonal antibodies, which recognise the same epitopes in the HRSV and BRSV fusion (F) protein, can protect calves against BRSV infection, and depletion of different T cells subsets in calves has highlighted the importance of CD8(+) T cells in viral clearance. Calves can be used to model maternal-antibody mediated suppression of RSV vaccine efficacy, and to increase understanding of the mechanisms responsible for RSV vaccine-enhanced respiratory disease.

Characterization of an experimental vaccine for bovine respiratory syncytial virus

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) and human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) are major causes of respiratory disease in calves and children, respectively, and are priorities for vaccine development. We previously demonstrated that an experimental vaccine, BRSV-immunostimulating complex (ISCOM), is effective in calves with maternal antibodies. The present study focuses on the antigenic characterization of this vaccine for the design of new-generation subunit vaccines. The results of our study confirmed the presence of membrane glycoprotein (G), fusion glycoprotein (F), and nucleoprotein (N) proteins in the ISCOMs, and this knowledge was extended by the identification of matrix (M), M2-1, phosphoprotein (P), small hydrophobic protein (SH) and of cellular membrane proteins, such as the integrins αVβ1, αVβ3, and α3β1. The quantity of the major protein F was 4- to 5-fold greater than that of N (∼77 μg versus ∼17 μg/calf dose), whereas G, M, M2-1, P, and SH were likely present in smaller amounts. The polymerase (L), M2-2, nonstructural 1 (NS1), and NS2 proteins were not detected, suggesting that they are not essential for protection. Sera from the BRSV-ISCOM-immunized calves contained high titers of IgG antibody specific for F, G, N, and SH. Antibody responses against M and P were not detected; however, this does not exclude their role in protective T-cell responses. The absence of immunopathological effects of the cellular proteins, such as integrins, needs to be further confirmed, and their possible contribution to adjuvant functions requires elucidation. This work suggests that a combination of several surface and internal proteins should be included in subunit RSV vaccines and identifies absent proteins as potential candidates for differentiating infected from vaccinated animals.

Vaccine safety and efficacy evaluation of a recombinant bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) with deletion of the SH gene and subunit vaccines based on recombinant human RSV proteins: N-nanorings, P and M2-1, in calves with maternal antibodies

The development of safe and effective vaccines against both bovine and human respiratory syncytial viruses (BRSV, HRSV) to be used in the presence of RSV-specific maternally-derived antibodies (MDA) remains a high priority in human and veterinary medicine. Herein, we present safety and efficacy results from a virulent BRSV challenge of calves with MDA, which were immunized with one of three vaccine candidates that allow serological differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA): an SH gene-deleted recombinant BRSV (ΔSHrBRSV), and two subunit (SU) formulations based on HRSV-P, -M2-1, and -N recombinant proteins displaying BRSV-F and -G epitopes, adjuvanted by either oil emulsion (Montanide ISA71^VG, SUMont) or immunostimulating complex matrices (AbISCO-300, SUAbis). Whereas all control animals developed severe respiratory disease and shed high levels of virus following BRSV challenge, ΔSHrBRSV-immunized calves demonstrated almost complete clinical and virological protection five weeks after a single intranasal vaccination. Although mucosal vaccination with ΔSHrBRSV failed to induce a detectable immunological response, there was a rapid and strong anamnestic mucosal BRSV-specific IgA, virus neutralizing antibody and local T cell response following challenge with virulent BRSV. Calves immunized twice intramuscularly, three weeks apart with SUMont were also well protected two weeks after boost. The protection was not as pronounced as that in ΔSHrBRSV-immunized animals, but superior to those immunized twice subcutaneously three weeks apart with SUAbis. Antibody responses induced by the subunit vaccines were non-neutralizing and not directed against BRSV F or G proteins. When formulated as SUMont but not as SUAbis, the HRSV N, P and M2-1 proteins induced strong systemic cross-protective cell-mediated immune responses detectable already after priming. ΔSHrBRSV and SUMont are two promising DIVA-compatible vaccines, apparently inducing protection by different immune responses that were influenced by vaccine-composition, immunization route and regimen.

Bovine model of respiratory syncytial virus infection

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV), which is an important cause of respiratory disease in young calves, is genetically and antigenically closely related to human (H)RSV. The epidemiology and pathogenesis of infection with these viruses are similar. The viruses are host-specific and infection produces a spectrum of disease ranging from subclinical to severe bronchiolitis and pneumonia, with the peak incidence of severe disease in individuals less than 6 months of age. BRSV infection in calves reproduces many of the clinical signs associated with HRSV in infants, including fever, rhinorrhoea, coughing, harsh breath sounds and rapid breathing. Although BRSV vaccines have been commercially available for decades, there is a need for greater efficacy. The development of effective BRSV and HRSV vaccines face similar challenges, such as the need to vaccinate at an early age in the presence of maternal antibodies, the failure of natural infection to prevent reinfection, and a history of vaccine-augmented disease. Neutralising monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the fusion (F) protein of HRSV, which can protect infants from severe HRSV disease, recognise the F protein of BRSV, and vice versa. Furthermore, bovine and human CD8(+) T-cells, which are known to be important in recovery from RSV infection, recognise similar proteins that are conserved between HRSV and BRSV. Therefore, not only can the bovine model of RSV be used to evaluate vaccine concepts, it can also be used as part of the preclinical assessment of certain HRSV candidate vaccines.

Inclusion of the bovine neutrophil beta-defensin 3 with glycoprotein D of bovine herpesvirus 1 in a DNA vaccine modulates immune responses of mice and cattle

Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BoHV-1) causes recurrent respiratory and genital infections in cattle and predisposes them to lethal secondary infections. While modified live and killed BoHV-1 vaccines exist, these are not without problems. Development of an effective DNA vaccine for BoHV-1 has the potential to address these issues. As a strategy to enhance DNA vaccine immunity, a plasmid encoding the bovine neutrophil beta-defensin 3 (BNBD3) as a fusion with truncated glycoprotein D (tgD) and a mix of two plasmids encoding BNBD3 and tgD were tested in mice and cattle. In mice, coadministration of BNBD3 on the separate plasmid enhanced the tgD-induced gamma interferon (IFN-γ) response but not the antibody response. BNBD3 fused to tgD did not affect the antibody levels or the number of IFN-γ-secreting cells but increased the induction of tgD-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). In cattle, the addition of BNBD3 as a fusion construct also modified the immune response. While the IgG and virus-neutralizing antibody levels were not affected, the number of IFN-γ-secreting cells was increased after BoHV-1 challenge, specifically the CD8(+) IFN-γ(+) T cells, including CD8(+) IFN-γ(+) CD25(+) CTLs. While reduced virus shedding, rectal temperature, and weight loss were observed, the level of protection was comparable to that observed in pMASIA-tgD-vaccinated animals. These data show that coadministration of BNBD3 with a protective antigen as a fusion in a DNA vaccine strengthened the Th1 bias and increased cell-mediated immune responses but did not enhance protection from BoHV-1 infection.

Fowlpox virus as a recombinant vaccine vector for use in mammals and poultry

Live vaccines against fowlpox virus, which causes moderate pathology in poultry and is the type species of the Avipoxvirus genus, were developed in the 1920s. Development of recombinant fowlpox virus vector vaccines began in the 1980s, for use not only in poultry, but also in mammals including humans. In common with other avipoxviruses, such as canarypox virus, fowlpox virus enters mammalian cells and expresses proteins, but replicates abortively. The use of fowlpox virus as a safe vehicle for expression of foreign antigens and host immunomodulators, is being evaluated in numerous clinical trials of vaccines against cancer, malaria, tuberculosis and AIDS, notably in heterologous prime-boost regimens. In this article, technical approaches to, and issues surrounding, the use of fowlpox virus as a recombinant vaccine vector in poultry and mammals are reviewed.

The functional significance of cattle major histocompatibility complex class I genetic diversity

Current concerns about food security highlight the importance of maintaining productive and disease-resistant livestock populations. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes have a central role in immunity. A high level of diversity in these genes allows populations to survive despite exposure to rapidly evolving pathogens. This review aims to describe the key features of MHC class I genetic diversity in cattle and to discuss their role in disease resistance. Discussion centers on data derived from the cattle genome sequence and studies addressing MHC class I gene expression and function. The impact of intensive selection on MHC diversity is also considered. A high level of complexity in MHC class I genes and functionally related gene families is revealed. This highlights the need for increased efforts to determine key genetic components that govern cattle immune responses to disease, which is increasingly important in the face of changing human and environmental demands.

Respiratory syncytial virus infection in cattle

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a cause of respiratory disease in cattle worldwide. It has an integral role in enzootic pneumonia in young dairy calves and summer pneumonia in nursing beef calves. Furthermore, bovine RSV infection can predispose calves to secondary bacterial infection by organisms such as Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somni, resulting in bovine respiratory disease complex, the most prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality among feedlot cattle. Even in cases where animals do not succumb to bovine respiratory disease complex, there can be long-term losses in production performance. This includes reductions in feed efficiency and rate of gain in the feedlot, as well as reproductive performance, milk production, and longevity in the breeding herd. As a result, economic costs to the cattle industry from bovine respiratory disease have been estimated to approach $1 billion annually due to death losses, reduced performance, and costs of vaccinations and treatment modalities. Human and bovine RSV are closely related viruses with similarities in histopathologic lesions and mechanisms of immune modulation induced following infection. Therefore, where appropriate, we provide comparisons between RSV infections in humans and cattle. This review article discusses key aspects of RSV infection of cattle, including epidemiology and strain variability, clinical signs and diagnosis, experimental infection, gross and microscopic lesions, innate and adaptive immune responses, and vaccination strategies.

Neonatal calf infection with respiratory syncytial virus: drawing parallels to the disease in human infants

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common viral cause of childhood acute lower respiratory tract infections. It is estimated that RSV infections result in more than 100,000 deaths annually worldwide. Bovine RSV is a cause of enzootic pneumonia in young dairy calves and summer pneumonia in nursing beef calves. Furthermore, bovine RSV plays a significant role in bovine respiratory disease complex, the most prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality among feedlot cattle. Infection of calves with bovine RSV shares features in common with RSV infection in children, such as an age-dependent susceptibility. In addition, comparable microscopic lesions consisting of bronchiolar neutrophilic infiltrates, epithelial cell necrosis, and syncytial cell formation are observed. Further, our studies have shown an upregulation of pro-inflammatory mediators in RSV-infected calves, including IL-12p40 and CXCL8 (IL-8). This finding is consistent with increased levels of IL-8 observed in children with RSV bronchiolitis. Since rodents lack IL-8, neonatal calves can be useful for studies of IL-8 regulation in response to RSV infection. We have recently found that vitamin D in milk replacer diets can be manipulated to produce calves differing in circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. The results to date indicate that although the vitamin D intracrine pathway is activated during RSV infection, pro-inflammatory mediators frequently inhibited by the vitamin D intacrine pathway in vitro are, in fact, upregulated or unaffected in lungs of infected calves. This review will summarize available data that provide parallels between bovine RSV infection in neonatal calves and human RSV in infants.

Theileria annulata-transformed cell lines are efficient antigen-presenting cells for in vitro analysis of CD8 T cell responses to bovine herpesvirus-1

Continuously growing cell lines infected with the protozoan parasite Theileria annulata can readily be established by in vitro infection of leukocytes with the sporozoite stage of the parasite. The aim of the current study was to determine whether such transformed cell lines could be used as antigen presenting cells to analyse the antigenic specificity of bovine CD8 T cell responses to viral infections. Bovine herpes virus 1 (BHV-1), which is known to induce CD8 T cell responses, was used as a model. T. annulata- transformed cells were shown to express high levels of CD40 and CD80 and were susceptible to infection with BHV-1, vaccinia and canarypox viruses. The capacity of the cells to generate antigen-specific CD8 T cell lines was initially validated using a recombinant canarypox virus expressing a defined immunodominant T. parva antigen (Tp1). Autologous T. annulata-transformed cells infected with BHV-1 were then used successfully to generate specific CD8 T cell lines and clones from memory T cell populations of BHV-1-immune animals. These lines were BHV-1-specific and class I MHC-restricted. In contrast to previous studies, which reported recognition of the glycoproteins gB and gD, the CD8 T cell lines generated in this study did not recognise these glycoproteins. Given the ease with which T. annulata-transformed cell lines can be established and maintained in vitro and their susceptibility to infection with poxvirus vectors, these cell lines offer a convenient and efficient in vitro system to analyse the fine specificity of virus-specific CD8 T cell responses in cattle.

A new subunit vaccine based on nucleoprotein nanoparticles confers partial clinical and virological protection in calves against bovine respiratory syncytial virus

Human and bovine respiratory syncytial viruses (HRSV and BRSV) are two closely related, worldwide prevalent viruses that are the leading cause of severe airway disease in children and calves, respectively. Efficacy of commercial bovine vaccines needs improvement and no human vaccine is licensed yet. We reported that nasal vaccination with the HRSV nucleoprotein produced as recombinant ring-shaped nanoparticles (N(SRS)) protects mice against a viral challenge with HRSV. The aim of this work was to evaluate this new vaccine that uses a conserved viral antigen, in calves, natural hosts for BRSV. Calves, free of colostral or natural anti-BRSV antibodies, were vaccinated with N(SRS) either intramuscularly, or both intramuscularly and intranasally using Montanide ISA71 and IMS4132 as adjuvants and challenged with BRSV. All vaccinated calves developed anti-N antibodies in blood and nasal secretions and N-specific cellular immunity in local lymph nodes. Clinical monitoring post-challenge demonstrated moderate respiratory pathology with local lung tissue consolidations for the non-vaccinated calves that were significantly reduced in the vaccinated calves. Vaccinated calves had lower viral loads than the non-vaccinated control calves. Thus N(SRS) vaccination in calves provided cross-protective immunity against BRSV infection without adverse inflammatory reaction.

Vaccination of calves using the BRSV nucleocapsid protein in a DNA prime-protein boost strategy stimulates cell-mediated immunity and protects the lungs against BRSV replication and pathology

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory disease in both cattle and young children. Despite the development of vaccines against bovine (B)RSV, incomplete protection and exacerbation of subsequent RSV disease have occurred. In order to circumvent these problems, calves were vaccinated with the nucleocapsid protein, known to be a major target of CD8⁺ T cells in cattle. This was performed according to a DNA prime–protein boost strategy. The results showed that DNA vaccination primed a specific T-cell-mediated response, as indicated by both a lymphoproliferative response and IFN-γ production. These responses were enhanced after protein boost. After challenge, mock-vaccinated calves displayed gross pneumonic lesions and viral replication in the lungs. In contrast, calves vaccinated by successive administrations of plasmid DNA and protein exhibited protection against the development of pneumonic lesions and the viral replication in the BAL fluids and the lungs. The protection correlated to the cell-mediated immunity and not to the antibody response.

Human and bovine respiratory syncytial virus vaccine research and development

Human (HRSV) and bovine (BRSV) respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) are two closely related viruses, which are the most important causative agents of respiratory tract infections of young children and calves, respectively. BRSV vaccines have been available for nearly 2 decades. They probably have reduced the prevalence of RSV infection but their efficacy needs improvement. In contrast, despite decades of research, there is no currently licensed vaccine for the prevention of HRSV disease. Development of a HRSV vaccine for infants has been hindered by the lack of a relevant animal model that develops disease, the need to immunize immunologically immature young infants, the difficulty for live vaccines to find the right balance between attenuation and immunogenicity, and the risk of vaccine-associated disease. During the past 15 years, intensive research into a HRSV vaccine has yielded vaccine candidates, which have been evaluated in animal models and, for some of them, in clinical trials in humans. Recent formulations have focused on subunit vaccines with specific CD4+ Th-1 immune response-activating adjuvants and on genetically engineered live attenuated vaccines. It is likely that different HRSV vaccines and/or combinations of vaccines used sequentially will be needed for the various populations at risk. This review discusses the recent advances in RSV vaccine development.

DNA immunization with plasmids encoding fusion and nucleocapsid proteins of bovine respiratory syncytial virus induces a strong cell-mediated immunity and protects calves against challenge

Respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) are one of the most important respiratory pathogens of humans and cattle, and there is currently no safe and effective vaccine prophylaxis. In this study, we designed two codon-optimized plasmids encoding the bovine RSV fusion (F) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins and assessed their immunogenicity in young calves. Two administrations of both plasmids elicited low antibody levels but primed a strong cell-mediated immunity characterized by lymphoproliferative response and gamma interferon production in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, this strong cellular response drastically reduced viral replication, clinical signs, and pulmonary lesions after a highly virulent challenge. Moreover, calves that were further vaccinated with a killed-virus vaccine developed high levels of neutralizing antibody and were fully protected following challenge. These results indicate that DNA vaccination could be a promising alternative to the classical vaccines against RSV in cattle and could therefore open perspectives for vaccinating young infants.

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) belongs to the pneumovirus genus within the family Paramyxoviridae and is a major cause of respiratory disease in young calves. BRSV is enveloped and contains a negative sense, single-stranded RNA genome encoding 11 proteins. The virus replicates predominantly in ciliated respiratory epithelial cells but also in type II pneumocytes. It appears to cause little or no cytopathology in ciliated epithelial cell cultures in vitro, suggesting that much of the pathology is due to the host's response to virus infection. RSV infection induces an array of pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines that recruit neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes to the respiratory tract resulting in respiratory disease. Although the mechanisms responsible for induction of these chemokines and cytokines are unclear, studies on the closely related human (H)RSV suggest that activation of NF-kappaB via TLR4 and TLR3 signalling pathways is involved. An understanding of the mechanisms by which BRSV is able to establish infection and induce an inflammatory response has been facilitated by advances in reverse genetics, which have enabled manipulation of the virus genome. These studies have demonstrated an important role for the non-structural proteins in anti-interferon activity, a role for a virokinin, released during proteolytic cleavage of the fusion protein, in the inflammatory response and a role for the SH and the secreted form of the G protein in establishing pulmonary infection. Knowledge gained from these studies has also provided the opportunity to develop safe, stable, live attenuated virus vaccine candidates.

Genetic variation and responses to vaccines

Disease is a major source of economic loss to the livestock industry. Understanding the role of genetic factors in immune responsiveness and disease resistance should provide new approaches to the control of disease through development of safe synthetic subunit vaccines and breeding for disease resistance. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) has been an important candidate locus for immune responsiveness studies. However, it is clear that other loci play an important role. Identifying these and quantifying the relative importance of MHC and non-MHC genes should result in new insights into host–pathogen interactions, and information that can be exploited by vaccine designers. The rapidly increasing information available about the bovine genome and the identification of polymorphisms in immune-related genes will offer potential candidates that control immune responses to vaccines. The bovine MHC,BoLA, encodes two distinct isotypes of class II molecules, DR and DQ, and in about half the common haplotypes theDQgenes are duplicated and expressed. DQ molecules are composed of two polymorphic chains whereas DR consists of one polymorphic and one non-polymorphic chain. Although, it is clear that MHC polymorphism is related to immune responsiveness, it is less clear how different allelic and locus products influence the outcome of an immune response in terms of generating protective immunity in outbred animals. A peptide derived from foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) was used as a probe for BoLA class II function. Both DR and DQ are involved in antigen presentation. In an analysis of T-cell clones specific for the peptide, distinct biases to particular restriction elements were observed. In addition inter-haplotype pairings of DQA and DQB molecules produced functional molecules, which greatly increases the numbers of possible restriction elements, compared with the number of genes, particularly in cattle with duplicatedDQgenes. In a vaccine trial with several peptides derived from FMDV,BoLAclass IIDRB3polymorphisms were correlated with both protection and non-protection. Although variation in immune responsiveness to the FMDV peptide between different individuals is partly explainable byBoLAclass II alleles, other genetic factors play an important role. In a quantitative trait locus project, employing a second-generation cross between Charolais and Holstein cattle, significant sire and breed effects were also observed in T-cell, cytokine and antibody responses to the FMDV peptide. These results suggest that both MHC and non-MHC genes play a role in regulating bovine immune traits of relevance to vaccine design. Identifying these genes and quantifying their relative contributions is the subject of further studies.

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus lacking the virokinin or with a mutation in furin cleavage site RA(R/K)R109 induces less pulmonary inflammation without impeding the induction of protective immunity in calves

The BRSV fusion (F) protein is cleaved at two furin consensus sequence sites, resulting in the generation of disulphide-linked F1 and F2 subunits and the release of an intervening peptide of 27 amino acids (pep27), which is converted into a biologically active tachykinin (virokinin). The role of the virokinin and the importance of one of the furin cleavage sites, FCS-2 [RA(R/K)R109], in the pathogenesis of BRSV infection and in the subsequent development of immunity was studied in gnotobiotic calves infected with a recombinant BRSV (rBRSV) lacking pep27 (rBRSVdelta p27) or with rBRSV108/109, which contains two amino acid substitutions in FCS-2 (RANN109). Although replication of the mutant viruses and the parental wild-type (WT) rBRSV in the lungs was similar, the extent of gross and microscopic lesions induced by the mutant viruses was less than that induced by WT rBRSV. Furthermore, the numbers of eosinophils in the lungs of calves infected with the mutant viruses were significantly less than that in calves infected with WT virus. These observations suggest a role for the virokinin in the pathogenesis of BRSV infection. Following mucosal immunization with rBRSVdelta p27, the levels of BRSV-specific serum antibodies were similar to those induced by WT virus. In contrast, the level of neutralizing antibodies induced by rBRSV108/109 was 10-fold lower than that induced by WT virus. Nevertheless, resistance to BRSV challenge induced by the mutant and WT viruses was similar, suggesting that neither pep27 nor FCS-2 plays a major role in the induction of protective immunity.

Generation and maintenance of diversity in the cattle MHC class I region

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes play a crucial role in the immune defence against intracellular pathogens. An important evolutionary strategy is to generate and maintain a high level of diversity in these genes. Humans express three highly polymorphic classical MHC class I genes (HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-C). In contrast, some species, for example rat and rhesus macaque, maintain diversity by generation of haplotypes that vary considerably with regard to the number and combination of transcribed genes. Cattle appear to use both strategies. We show that various combinations of six apparently classical genes, three of which are highly polymorphic, are transcribed on different haplotypes. Although additional sequences were identified in both cDNA and gDNA, it was not possible to assign them to any of these defined genes. Most were highly divergent or were non-classical class I genes. Thus, we found little evidence for frequent duplication and deletion of classical class I genes as reported in some other species. However, the maintenance of class I diversity in cattle may involve limited gene shuffling and deletion, possibly as a result of unequal crossing-over within the class I region.

Protection by recombinant viral proteins against a respiratory challenge with virulent avian metapneumovirus

Protection by recombinant avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) N or M proteins against a respiratory challenge with virulent aMPV was examined. N, M or N+M proteins were administered intramuscularly (IM) with incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) or by the oculonasal (ON) route with cholera toxin-B (CTB). Each turkey received 40 or 80 microg of each recombinant protein. Birds were considered protected against challenge if the challenge virus was not detectable in the choanal swabs by RT-PCR. At a dose of 40 microg/bird, N protein given with IFA by the IM route protected eight out of nine birds. M protein at the same dose protected three out of seven birds, while a combination of N+M proteins (40 microg each) protected three out of four birds. At a dose of 80 microg of each of N and M proteins per bird given with IFA by the IM route, 100% protection was achieved. ON immunization with a mixture of N and M proteins induced partial protection when the proteins were given with CTB; no detectable protection was noted without CTB. N and M proteins induced anti-aMPV antibodies, although protection against virulent virus challenge did not appear to be associated with the level or presence of antibodies.

The cattle major histocompatibility complex: is it unique?

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes encode highly polymorphic molecules that are expressed on virtually every cell type, and have been identified in all but the most primitive vertebrates. They play a number of crucial roles in the immune response to infectious disease. Most information regarding MHC genes has been generated from humans and mice but, because of the great variability found in the MHC system, it is not always possible to extrapolate from these to other species. Many strategies have evolved to maximise the ability of the MHC to protect individuals and populations against pathogens. Cattle MHC class I genes exhibit a number of unusual features. Evidence from mapping studies, haplotype and phylogenetic analyses suggests the presence of six classical class I loci, in contrast to the more usual two or three, and these are expressed in various combinations of one, two or three on different haplotypes. Although it remains difficult to assign alleles to loci, it appears that none of the loci are expressed on all haplotypes. There is currently limited information relating to polymorphism, but various approaches suggest diversity is high, and may vary between breeds/populations. Functional consequences of variable MHC haplotype composition are discussed. Identifying unique features of the MHC in cattle will lead to new insights into evolution of the immune system.

Vbeta14(+) T cells mediate the vaccine-enhanced disease induced by immunization with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) G glycoprotein but not with formalin-inactivated RSV

Mice immunized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) G glycoprotein or with formalin-inactivated RSV (FI-RSV) exhibit severe disease following RSV challenge. This results in type 2 cytokine production and pulmonary eosinophilia, both hallmarks of vaccine-enhanced disease. RSV G-induced T-cell responses were shown to be restricted to CD4(+) T cells expressing Vbeta14 in the T-cell receptor (TCR), and the deletion of these T cells resulted in less severe disease. We therefore examined the role of Vbeta14(+) T cells in FI-RSV-induced disease. BALB/c mice were immunized with vaccinia virus expressing secreted RSV G (vvGs) or with FI-RSV. At the time of challenge with live RSV, mice were injected with antibody to the Vbeta14 component of the TCR. vvGs-immunized mice treated with anti-Vbeta14 had reduced cytokine levels in the lung. Eosinophil recruitment to the lung was also significantly reduced. In contrast, depletion of Vbeta14(+) T cells in FI-RSV-immunized mice had little impact on cytokine production or pulmonary eosinophilia. An analysis of TCR Vbeta chain usage confirmed a bias toward Vbeta14 expression on CD4(+) T cells from vvGs-immunized mice, whereas the CD4(+) T cells in FI-RSV-immunized mice expressed a diverse array of Vbeta chains. These data show that although FI-RSV and vvGs induce responses resulting in similar immunopathology, the T-cell repertoire mediating the response is different for each immunogen and suggest that the immune responses elicited by RSV G are not the basis for FI-RSV vaccine-enhanced disease.

Animal pneumoviruses: molecular genetics and pathogenesis

Pneumoviruses are single-stranded, negative-sense, nonsegmented RNA viruses of the family Paramyxoviridae, subfamily Pneumovirinae, and include pathogens that infect humans (respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus), domestic mammals (bovine, ovine, and caprine respiratory syncytial viruses), rodents (pneumonia virus of mice), and birds (avian metapneumovirus). Among the topics considered in this review are recent studies focused on the roles of the individual virus-encoded components in promoting virus replication as well as in altering and evading innate antiviral host defenses. Advances in the molecular technology of pneumoviruses and the emergence of recombinant pneumoviruses that are leading to improved virus-based vaccine formulations are also discussed. Since pneumovirus infection in natural hosts is associated with a profound inflammatory response that persists despite adequate antiviral therapy, we also review the recent experimental treatment strategies that have focused on combined antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory approaches.

Evolution of major histocompatibility complex class I genes in Cetartiodactyls

Previous studies of cattle MHC have suggested the presence of at least four classical class I loci. Analysis of haplotypes showed that any combination of one, two or three genes may be expressed, although no gene is expressed consistently. The aim of this study was to examine the evolutionary relationships among these genes and to study their phylogenetic history in Cetartiodactyl species, including cattle and their close relatives. A secondary aim was to determine whether recombination had occurred between any of the genes. MHC class I data sets were generated from published sequences or by polymerase chain reaction from cDNA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that MHC class I sequences from Cetartiodactyl species closely related to cattle were distributed among the main cattle gene "groups", while those from more distantly related species were either scattered (sheep, deer) or clustered in a species-specific manner (sitatunga, giraffe). A comparison between gene and species trees showed a poor match, indicating that divergence of the MHC sequences had occurred independently from that of the hosts from which they were obtained. We also found two clear instances of interlocus recombination among the cattle MHC sequences. Finally, positive natural selection was documented at positions throughout the alpha 1 and 2 domains, primarily on those amino acids directly involved in peptide binding, although two positions in the alpha 3 domain, a region generally conserved in other species, were also shown to be undergoing adaptive evolution.