Protective Efficacy in Sheep of Adenovirus-Vectored Vaccines against Bluetongue Virus Is Associated with Specific T Cell Responses

Defining correlates of protection for mammalian livestock vaccines against high-priority viral diseases

Enhancing livestock biosecurity is critical to safeguard the livelihoods of farmers, global and local economies, and food security. Vaccination is fundamental to the control and prevention of exotic and endemic high-priority infectious livestock diseases. Successful implementation of vaccination in a biosecurity plan is underpinned by a strong understanding of correlates of protection-those elements of the immune response that can reliably predict the level of protection from viral challenge. While correlates of protection have been successfully characterized for many human viral vaccines, for many high-priority livestock viral diseases, including African swine fever and foot and mouth disease, they remain largely uncharacterized. Current literature provides insights into potential correlates of protection that should be assessed during vaccine development for these high-priority mammalian livestock viral diseases. Establishment of correlates of protection for biosecurity purposes enables immune surveillance, rationale for vaccine development, and successful implementation of livestock vaccines as part of a biosecurity strategy.

Co-expression of VP2, NS1 and NS2-Nt proteins by an MVA viral vector induces complete protection against bluetongue virus

Introduction

Bluetongue (BT), caused by bluetongue virus (BTV), is an important arthropod-borne livestock disease listed by the World Organization for Animal Health. Live-attenuated and inactivated vaccines have permitted to control BT but they do not simultaneously protect against the myriad of BTV serotypes. Recently, we identified the highly conserved BTV nonstructural protein NS1 and the N-terminal region of NS2 as antigens capable of conferring multiserotype protection against BTV.

Methods

Here, we designed Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) viral vectors that expressed BTV-4 proteins VP2 or VP7 along with NS1 and NS2-Nt as well as MVAs that expressed proteins VP2, VP7 or NS1 and NS2-Nt.

Results

Immunization of IFNAR(-/-) mice with two doses of MVA-NS1-2A-NS2-Nt protected mice from BTV-4M infection by the induction of an antigen-specific T cell immune response. Despite rMVA expressing VP7 alone were not protective in the IFNAR(-/-) mouse model, inclusion of VP7 in the vaccine formulation amplified the cell-mediated response induced by NS1 and NS2-Nt. Expression of VP2 elicited protective non-cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) in immunized animals and improved the protection observed in the MVA-NS1-2A-NS2-Nt immunized mice when these three BTV antigens were co-expressed. Moreover, vaccines candidates co-expressing VP2 or VP7 along with NS1 and NS2-Nt provided multiserotype protection. We assessed protective efficacy of both vaccine candidates in sheep against virulent challenge with BTV-4M.

Discussion

Immunization with MVA-VP7-NS1-2A-NS2-Nt partially dumped viral replication and clinical disease whereas administration of MVA-VP2-NS1-2A-NS2-Nt promoted a complete protection, preventing viraemia and the pathology produced by BTV infection.

Immuno-informatics study identifies conserved T cell epitopes in non-structural proteins of Bluetongue virus serotypes: formulation of a computationally optimized next-generation broad-spectrum multi-epitope vaccine

Introduction

Bluetongue (BT) poses a significant threat to the livestock industry, affecting various animal species and resulting in substantial economic losses. The existence of numerous BT virus (BTV) serotypes has hindered control efforts, highlighting the need for broad-spectrum vaccines.

Methodology

In this study, we evaluated the conserved amino acid sequences within key non-structural (NS) proteins of BTV and identified numerous highly conserved murine- and bovine-specific MHC class I-restricted (MHC-I) CD8+ and MHC-II-restricted CD4+ epitopes. We then screened these conserved epitopes for antigenicity, allergenicity, toxicity, and solubility. Using these epitopes, we developed in silico-based broad-spectrum multiepitope vaccines with Toll-like receptor (TLR-4) agonists. The predicted proinflammatory cytokine response was assessed in silico using the C-IMMSIM server. Structural modeling and refinement were achieved using Robetta and GalaxyWEB servers. Finally, we assessed the stability of the docking complexes through extensive 100-nanosecond molecular dynamics simulations before considering the vaccines for codon optimization and in silico cloning.

Results

We found many epitopes that meet these criteria within NS1 and NS2 proteins and developed in silico broad-spectrum vaccines. The immune simulation studies revealed that these vaccines induce high levels of IFN-γ and IL-2 in the vaccinated groups. Protein-protein docking analysis demonstrated promising epitopes with strong binding affinities to TLR-4. The docked complexes were stable, with minimal Root Mean Square Deviation and Root Mean Square Fluctuation values. Finally, the in silico-cloned plasmids have high % of GC content with > 0.8 codon adaptation index, suggesting they are suitable for expressing the protein vaccines in prokaryotic system.

Discussion

These next-generation vaccine designs are promising and warrant further investigation in wet lab experiments to assess their immunogenicity, safety, and efficacy for practical application in livestock. Our findings offer a robust framework for developing a comprehensive, broad-spectrum vaccine, potentially revolutionizing BT control and prevention strategies in the livestock industry.

Comprehensive immune profiling reveals that Orbivirus infection activates immune checkpoints during acute T cell immunosuppression

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arbovirus transmitted by the bite of infected Culicoides midges that affects domestic and wild ruminants producing great economic losses. The infection induces an IFN response, followed by an adaptive immune response that is essential in disease clearance. BTV can nonetheless impair IFN and humoral responses. The main goal of this study was to gain a more detailed understanding of BTV pathogenesis and its effects on immune cell populations. To this end, we combined flow cytometry and transcriptomic analyses of several immune cells at different times post-infection (pi). Four sheep were infected with BTV serotype 8 and blood samples collected at days 0, 3, 7 and 15pi to perform transcriptomic analysis of B-cell marker+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD14+ sorted peripheral mononuclear cells. The maximum number of differentially expressed genes occurred at day 7pi, which coincided with the peak of infection. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that genes belonging to virus sensing and immune response initiation pathways were enriched at day 3 and 7 pi in all 4 cell population analyzed. Transcriptomic analysis also showed that at day 7pi T cell exhaustion pathway was enriched in CD4+ cells, while CD8+ cells downregulated immune response initiation pathways. T cell functional studies demonstrated that BTV produced an acute inhibition of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation at the peak of replication. This coincided with PD-L1 upregulation on the surface of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as monocytes. Taken together, these data indicate that BTV could exploit the PD1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint to impair T cell responses. These findings identify several mechanisms in the interaction between host and BTV, which could help develop better tools to combat the disease.

An adenovirus-vectored RVF vaccine confers complete protection against lethal RVFV challenge in A129 mice

Instruction: Rift valley fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-transmitted bunyavirus that causes severe disease in animals and humans. Nevertheless, there are no vaccines applied to prevent RVFV infection for human at present. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a safe and effective RVFV vaccine. Methods: We generated Ad5-GnGcopt, a replication-deficient recombinant Ad5 vector (human adenovirus serotype 5) expressing codon-optimized RVFV glycoproteins Gn and Gc, and evaluated its immunogenicity and protective efficacy in mice. Results and Discussion: Intramuscular immunization of Ad5-GnGcopt in mice induces strong and durable antibody production and robust cellular immune responses. Additionally, a single vaccination with Ad5-GnGcopt vaccination can completely protect interferon-α/β receptor-deficient A129 mice from lethal RVFV infection. Our work indicates that Ad5-GnGcopt might represent a potential vaccine candidate against RVFV. However, further research is needed, first to confirm its efficacy in a natural animal host, and ultimately escalate as a potential vaccine candidate for humans.

Adenoviral delivery of soluble ovine OX40L or CD70 costimulatory molecules improves adaptive immune responses to a model antigen in sheep

The tumour necrosis factor superfamily OX40L and CD70 and their receptors are costimulatory signalling axes critical for adequate T and B cell activation in humans and mice. In this work we inoculated groups of sheep with human recombinant adenovirus type 5 (Ad) expressing Ovis aries (Oa)OX40L or OaCD70 or a control adenoviral vector to determine whether they could improve the immune response to the model antigen OVA. PBMCs and serum samples were obtained for analysis of the adaptive immune response to OVA at days 0, 15, 30 and 90 post-inoculation (pi). Recall responses to OVA were assessed at day 7 and 30 after the second antigen inoculation (pb) at day 90. Administration of these immunomodulatory molecules did not induce unspecific PBMC stimulation. While OaOX40L administration mainly increased TNF-α and IL-4 in PBMC at day 15 pi concomitantly with a slight increase in antibody titer and the number of IFN-γ producing cells, we detected greater effects on adaptive immunity after OaCD70 administration. AdOaCD70 inoculation improved antibody titers to OVA at days 30 and 90 pi, and increased anti-OVA-specific IgG-secreting B cell counts when compared to control. Moreover, higher IFN-γ production was detected on days 7 pi, 7 pb and 30 pb in PBMCs from this group. Phenotypic analysis of T cell activation showed an increase in effector CD8+ T cells (CD8+ CD62L- CD27-) at day 15 pi in AdOaCD70 group, concurrent with a decrease in early activated cells (CD8+ CD62L- CD27+). Moreover, recall anti-OVA CD8+ T cell responses were increased at 7 pb in the AdOaCD70 group. AdOaCD70 administration could therefore promote CD8+ T cell effector differentiation and long-term activity. In this work we characterized the in vivo adjuvant potential on the humoral and cellular immune response of OaOX40L and OaCD70 delivered by non-replicative adenovirus vectors using the model antigen OVA. We present data highlighting the potency of these molecules as veterinary vaccine adjuvant.

Nanoparticle- and Microparticle-Based Vaccines against Orbiviruses of Veterinary Importance

Bluetongue virus (BTV) and African horse sickness virus (AHSV) are widespread arboviruses that cause important economic losses in the livestock and equine industries, respectively. In addition to these, another arthropod-transmitted orbivirus known as epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) entails a major threat as there is a conducive landscape that nurtures its emergence in non-endemic countries. To date, only vaccinations with live attenuated or inactivated vaccines permit the control of these three viral diseases, although important drawbacks, e.g., low safety profile and effectiveness, and lack of DIVA (differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals) properties, constrain their usage as prophylactic measures. Moreover, a substantial number of serotypes of BTV, AHSV and EHDV have been described, with poor induction of cross-protective immune responses among serotypes. In the context of next-generation vaccine development, antigen delivery systems based on nano- or microparticles have gathered significant attention during the last few decades. A diversity of technologies, such as virus-like particles or self-assembled protein complexes, have been implemented for vaccine design against these viruses. In this work, we offer a comprehensive review of the nano- and microparticulated vaccine candidates against these three relevant orbiviruses. Additionally, we also review an innovative technology for antigen delivery based on the avian reovirus nonstructural protein muNS and we explore the prospective functionality of the nonstructural protein NS1 nanotubules as a BTV-based delivery platform.

Recent Development of Ruminant Vaccine Against Viral Diseases

Pathogens of viral origin produce a large variety of infectious diseases in livestock. It is essential to establish the best practices in animal care and an efficient way to stop and prevent infectious diseases that impact animal husbandry. So far, the greatest way to combat the disease is to adopt a vaccine policy. In the fight against infectious diseases, vaccines are very popular. Vaccination's fundamental concept is to utilize particular antigens, either endogenous or exogenous to induce immunity against the antigens or cells. In light of how past emerging and reemerging infectious diseases and pandemics were handled, examining the vaccination methods and technological platforms utilized for the animals may provide some useful insights. New vaccine manufacturing methods have evolved because of developments in technology and medicine and our broad knowledge of immunology, molecular biology, microbiology, and biochemistry, among other basic science disciplines. Genetic engineering, proteomics, and other advanced technologies have aided in implementing novel vaccine theories, resulting in the discovery of new ruminant vaccines and the improvement of existing ones. Subunit vaccines, recombinant vaccines, DNA vaccines, and vectored vaccines are increasingly gaining scientific and public attention as the next generation of vaccines and are being seen as viable replacements to conventional vaccines. The current review looks at the effects and implications of recent ruminant vaccine advances in terms of evolving microbiology, immunology, and molecular biology.

Vaccination as a Strategy to Prevent Bluetongue Virus Vertical Transmission

Bluetongue virus (BTV) produces an economically important disease in ruminants of compulsory notification to the OIE. BTV is typically transmitted by the bite of Culicoides spp., however, some BTV strains can be transmitted vertically, and this is associated with fetus malformations and abortions. The viral factors associated with the virus potency to cross the placental barrier are not well defined. The potency of vertical transmission is retained and sometimes even increased in live attenuated BTV vaccine strains. Because BTV possesses a segmented genome, the possibility of reassortment of vaccination strains with wild-type virus could even favor the transmission of this phenotype. In the present review, we will describe the non-vector-based BTV infection routes and discuss the experimental vaccination strategies that offer advantages over this drawback of some live attenuated BTV vaccines.

The Interplay between Bluetongue Virus Infections and Adaptive Immunity

Viral infections have long provided a platform to understand the workings of immunity. For instance, great strides towards defining basic immunology concepts, such as MHC restriction of antigen presentation or T-cell memory development and maintenance, have been achieved thanks to the study of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infections. These studies have also shaped our understanding of antiviral immunity, and in particular T-cell responses. In the present review, we discuss how bluetongue virus (BTV), an economically important arbovirus from the Reoviridae family that affects ruminants, affects adaptive immunity in the natural hosts. During the initial stages of infection, BTV triggers leucopenia in the hosts. The host then mounts an adaptive immune response that controls the disease. In this work, we discuss how BTV triggers CD8+ T-cell expansion and neutralizing antibody responses, yet in some individuals viremia remains detectable after these adaptive immune mechanisms are active. We present some unpublished data showing that BTV infection also affects other T cell populations such as CD4+ T-cells or γδ T-cells, as well as B-cell numbers in the periphery. This review also discusses how BTV evades these adaptive immune mechanisms so that it can be transmitted back to the arthropod host. Understanding the interaction of BTV with immunity could ultimately define the correlates of protection with immune mechanisms that would improve our knowledge of ruminant immunology.

Inhibition of the IFN Response by Bluetongue Virus: The Story So Far

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is the prototypical orbivirus that belongs to the Reoviridae family. BTV infection produces a disease in ruminants, particularly in sheep, that results in economic losses through reduced productivity. BTV is transmitted by the bite of Culicoides spp. midges and is nowadays distributed globally throughout subtropical and even temperate regions. As most viruses, BTV is susceptible to the IFN response, the first line of defense employed by the immune system to combat viral infections. In turn, BTV has evolved strategies to counter the IFN response and promote its replication. The present review we will revise the works describing how BTV interferes with the IFN response.

Vaccination With Recombinant Adenoviruses Expressing the Bluetongue Virus Subunits VP7 and VP2 Provides Protection Against Heterologous Virus Challenge

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is the causative agent of a disease that affects domestic and wild ruminants and leads to critical economic losses. BTV is an arbovirus from the Reoviridae family that is typically transmitted by the bite of infected Culicoides midges. BTV possesses multiple serotypes (up to 28 have been described), and immunity to one serotype offers little cross-protection to other serotypes. The design of vaccines that provide protection across multiple serotypes is therefore highly desirable to control this disease. We previously reported that a recombinant replication-defective human adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) that expresses the VP7 inner core protein of BTV serotype 8 (Ad5VP7-8) induced T-cell responses and provided protection. In the present work, we evaluated as BTV vaccine the combination of Ad5VP7-8 with another recombinant Ad5 that expresses the outer core protein VP2 from BTV-1 (Ad5VP2-1). The combination of Ad5VP2-1 and Ad5VP7-8 protected against homologous BTV challenge (BTV-1 and BTV-8) and partially against heterologous BTV-4 in a murine model. Cross-reactive anti-BTV immunoglobulin G (IgG) were detected in immunized animals, but no significant titers of neutralizing antibodies were elicited. The Ad5VP7-8 immunization induced T-cell responses that recognized all three serotypes tested in this study and primed cytotoxic T lymphocytes specific for VP7. This study further confirms that targeting antigenic determinant shared by several BTV serotypes using cellular immunity could help develop multiserotype BTV vaccines.

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.

Activation of OX40 and CD27 Costimulatory Signalling in Sheep through Recombinant Ovine Ligands

Members of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily OX40L and CD70 and their receptors are costimulating signalling axes critical for adequate T cell activation in humans and mice but characterisation of these molecules in other species including ruminants is lacking. Here we cloned and expressed the predicted ovine orthologues of the receptors OX40 and CD27, as well as soluble recombinant forms of their potential ovine ligands, OaOX40L and OaCD70. Using biochemical and immunofluorescence analyses, we show that both signalling axes are functional in sheep. We show that oligomeric recombinant ligand constructs are able to induce signalling through their receptors on transfected cells. Recombinant defective human adenoviruses were constructed to express the soluble forms of OaOX40L and OaCD70. Both proteins were detected in the supernatant of adenovirus-infected cells and shown to activate NF-κB signalling pathway through their cognate receptor. These adenovirus-secreted OaOX40L and OaCD70 forms could also activate ovine T cell proliferation and enhance IFN-γ production in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. Altogether, this study provides the first characterisation of the ovine costimulatory OX40L-OX40 and CD70-CD27 signalling axes, and indicates that their activation in vivo may be useful to enhance vaccination-induced immune responses in sheep and other ruminants.

Potential of Using Capripoxvirus Vectored Vaccines Against Arboviruses in Sheep, Goats, and Cattle

The genus capripoxvirus consists of sheeppox virus, goatpox virus, and lumpy skin disease virus, which affect sheep, goats, and cattle, respectively. Together capripoxviruses cause significant economic losses to the sheep, goat, and cattle industry where these diseases are present. These diseases have spread into previously free bordering regions most recently demonstrated with the spread of lumpy skin disease virus into the Middle East, some Eastern European countries, and Russia. This recent spread has highlighted the transboundary nature of these diseases. To control lumpy skin disease virus, live attenuated viral vaccines are used in endemic countries as well as in response to an outbreak. For sheeppox and goatpox, live attenuated viral vaccines are used in endemic countries; these diseases can also be contained through slaughter of infected animals to stamp out the disease. The thermostability, narrow host range, and ability of capripoxviruses to express a wide variety of antigens make capripoxviruses ideal vectors. The ability to immunize animals against multiple diseases simultaneously increases vaccination efficiency by decreasing the number of vaccinations required. Additionally, the use of capripoxvirus vectored vaccines allows the possibility of differentiating infected from vaccinated animals. Arboviruses such as bluetongue virus and Rift Valley fever viruses are also responsible for significant economic losses in endemic countries. In the case of Rift Valley fever virus, vaccination is not routinely practiced unless there is an outbreak making vaccination not as effective, therefore, incorporating Rift Valley fever vaccination into routine capripoxvirus vaccination would be highly beneficial. This review will discuss the potential of using capripoxvirus as a vector expressing protective arboviral antigens.

Peste des Petits Ruminants Virus Fusion and Hemagglutinin Proteins Trigger Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity in Infected Cells

The adaptive immune system utilizes multiple effector mechanisms to clear viral infections. Among those antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) can help recognize and clear virus-infected cells. In the present work we evaluated ADCC contribution to immunity in two economically important viral diseases that affect ruminants: bluetongue and peste des petits ruminants. Immune sera obtained from sheep experimentally infected with bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 8 or peste des petits ruminant virus (PPRV) IC'89 were used for this study. PPRV immune sera could bind to the surface of PPRV-infected ovine B cells while BTV immune sera was unable to bind to the surface of BTV-infected sheep cells but could recognize intracellular BTV antigens. BTV and PPRV immune serum ADCC potency was established using an ovine autologous cytotoxicity assay that employed an NK cell-enriched fraction as effector cells and a virus-infected B cell-enriched fraction as target cells. In this system, immune sera triggered ADCC against PPRV-infected cells, but not against BTV-infected cells. PPRV immune sera could recognize PPRV fusion and hemagglutinin proteins on the surface of transfected cells, and enhanced lysis of these cells in ADCC assays. This indicated that these viral antigens are natural ADCC targets during PPRV infection. The present work describes a novel effector immune mechanism against PPRV in the natural host that could contribute to virus clearance highlighting the importance of studying protective immune mechanisms to improve current vaccines by invoking all effector arms of immunity.

Modeling Arboviral Infection in Mice Lacking the Interferon Alpha/Beta Receptor

Arboviruses are arthropod-borne viruses that exhibit worldwide distribution and are a constant threat, not only for public health but also for wildlife, domestic animals, and even plants. To study disease pathogenesis and to develop efficient and safe therapies, the use of an appropriate animal model is a critical concern. Adult mice with gene knockouts of the interferon α/β (IFN-α/β) receptor (IFNAR(-/-)) have been described as a model of arbovirus infections. Studies with the natural hosts of these viruses are limited by financial and ethical issues, and in some cases, the need to have facilities with a biosafety level 3 with sufficient space to accommodate large animals. Moreover, the number of animals in the experiments must provide results with statistical significance. Recent advances in animal models in the last decade among other gaps in knowledge have contributed to the better understanding of arbovirus infections. A tremendous advantage of the IFNAR(-/-) mouse model is the availability of a wide variety of reagents that can be used to study many aspects of the immune response to the virus. Although extrapolation of findings in mice to natural hosts must be done with care due to differences in the biology between mouse and humans, experimental infections of IFNAR(-/-) mice with several studied arboviruses closely mimics hallmarks of these viruses in their natural host. Therefore, IFNAR(-/-) mice are a good model to facilitate studies on arbovirus transmission, pathogenesis, virulence, and the protective efficacy of new vaccines. In this review article, the most important arboviruses that have been studied using the IFNAR(-/-) mouse model will be reviewed.

Nucleocapsid protein-based vaccine provides protection in mice against lethal Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus challenge

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an acute, often fatal viral disease characterized by rapid onset of febrile symptoms followed by hemorrhagic manifestations. The etiologic agent, CCHF orthonairovirus (CCHFV), can infect several mammals in nature but only seems to cause clinical disease in humans. Over the past two decades there has been an increase in total number of CCHF case reports, including imported CCHF patients, and an expansion of CCHF endemic areas. Despite its increased public health burden there are currently no licensed vaccines or treatments to prevent CCHF. We here report the development and assessment of the protective efficacy of an adenovirus (Ad)-based vaccine expressing the nucleocapsid protein (N) of CCHFV (Ad-N) in a lethal immunocompromised mouse model of CCHF. The results show that Ad-N can protect mice from CCHF mortality and that this platform should be considered for future CCHFV vaccine strategies.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease that can manifest as a viral hemorrhagic fever syndrome. The CCHF virus is widely spread throughout the African continent, the Balkans, the Middle East, Southern Russia and Western Asia where it remains a serious public health concern. Currently, there are no licensed treatments or vaccines available, and medical countermeasures are urgently needed. We developed an adenovirus vector vaccine based on the conserved structural nucleoprotein (N) as the antigen. A prime-boost approach showed promising efficacy in the most widely used immunocompromised mouse model. This vaccine approach demonstrates a role for N in protection and suggests its consideration for future CCHFV vaccine strategies.

Evaluation of the immune response afforded by a subunit vaccine candidate against bluetongue virus in mice and sheep

Bluetongue virus (BTV), a vector-borne pathogen, is the causative agent of bluetongue disease in ruminants. In view of the recent emergence of BTV in regions previously known to be free from the disease and/or specific serotypes or strains, optimization of the currently available vaccination strategies to control the spread of vector-borne bluetongue is crucial. The main objective of the current study was to develop a subunit vaccine candidate targeting BTV-16, a strain previously isolated in China from sheep with obvious clinical signs. To this end, five polyhistidine-tagged recombinant proteins (BTV-16 VP2, VP3, VP7, NS2 and a truncated version of VP5 (VP5-41amino acids) were expressed using the baculovirus or Escherichia coli expression system for characterization of protective activity. To determine ovine and murine immune responses to the five proteins, sheep and mice were immunized twice at 4- and 2-week intervals, respectively, with one of two different protein combinations in Montanide^TM ISA201 VG adjuvant or placebo. Data from the competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay revealed significantly higher antibody titers in immunized than control animals. Expressed VP5 and NS2 induced a protein-specific humoral response. Interestingly, a serum neutralization test against the BTV-1 serotype showed promising cross-serotype immune response by the vaccine. Based on the collective data, we suggest that these recombinant purified proteins present promising candidates for the design of effective novel vaccines against BTV.

Solubilisation and purification of recombinant bluetongue virus VP7 expressed in a bacterial system

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an Orbivirus that has a profound economic impact due to direct loss of livestock as well as movement bans in an attempt to prevent the spread of the disease to susceptible areas. BTV VP7, along with VP3, forms the inner capsid core of the virus where it acts as the barrier between the outer layer and the inner core housing the genetic material. Purification of BTV VP7 has proven to be problematic and expensive mainly due to its insolubility is several expression systems. To overcome this, in this paper we present a protocol for the solubilisation of BTV VP7 from inclusion bodies expressed in E.coli, and subsequent purification using nickel affinity chromatography. The purified protein was then characterised using native PAGE, far ultraviolet circular dichroism (far-UV CD) and intrinsic fluorescence and found to have both secondary and tertiary structure even in the presence of 5 M urea. Both tertiary and secondary structure was further shown to be to be maintained at least to 42 °C in 5 M urea.

Analysis of Conserved, Computationally Predicted Epitope Regions for VP5 and VP7 Across three Orbiviruses

Orbiviruses are double-stranded RNA viruses that have profound economic and veterinary significance, 3 of the most important being African horse sickness virus (AHSV), bluetongue virus (BTV), and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV). Currently, vaccination and vector control are used as preventative measures; however, there are several problems with the current vaccines. Comparing viral amino acid sequences, we obtained an AHSV-BTV-EHDV consensus sequence for VP5 (viral protein 5) and for VP7 (viral protein 7) and generated homology models for these proteins. The structures and sequences were analyzed for amino acid sequence conservation, entropy, surface accessibility, and epitope propensity, to computationally determine whether consensus sequences still possess potential epitope regions. In total, 5 potential linear epitope regions on VP5 and 11 on VP7, as well as potential discontinuous B-cell epitopes, were identified and mapped onto the homology models created. Regions identified for VP5 and VP7 could be important in vaccine design against orbiviruses.

Vaccination with recombinant adenovirus expressing peste des petits ruminants virus-F or -H proteins elicits T cell responses to epitopes that arises during PPRV infection

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) causes an economically important disease that limits productivity in small domestic ruminants and often affects the livestock of the poorest populations in developing countries. Animals that survive PPRV develop strong cellular and humoral responses, which are probably necessary for protection. Vaccination should thus aim at mimicking these natural responses. Immunization strategies against this morbillivirus using recombinant adenoviruses expressing PPRV-F or -H proteins can protect PPRV-challenged animals and permit differentiation of infected from vaccinated animals. Little is known of the T cell repertoire these recombinant vaccines induce. In the present work, we identified several CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell epitopes in sheep infected with PPRV. We also show that recombinant adenovirus vaccination induced T cell responses to the same epitopes, and led to memory T cell differentiation. T cells primed by these recombinant adenovirus vaccines expanded after PPRV challenge and probably contributed to protection. These data validate the use of recombinant adenovirus expressing PPRV genes as DIVA strategies to control this highly contagious disease.

Recall T cell responses to bluetongue virus produce a narrowing of the T cell repertoire

In most viral infections, recall T cell responses are critical for protection. The magnitude of these secondary responses can also affect the CD8 and CD4 epitope repertoire diversity. Bluetongue virus (BTV) infection in sheep elicits a T cell response that contributes to viremia control and could be relevant for cross-protection between BTV serotypes. Here, we characterized CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell responses during primary and recall responses. During primary immune responses, both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell populations expanded by 14 days post-infection (dpi). CD4⁺ T cell populations showed a lower peak of expansion and prolonged contraction phase compared to CD8⁺ T cell populations. Recall responses to BTV challenge led to BTV-specific expansion and activation of CD8⁺ but not of CD4⁺ T cells. The evolution of the BTV-specific TCR repertoire was also characterized in response to VP7 peptide stimulation. Striking differences in repertoire development were noted over the time-course of infection. During primary responses, a broader repertoire was induced for MHC-I and MHC-II epitopes. However, during memory responses, a narrowed repertoire was activated towards a dominant motif in VP7 comprising amino acids 139–291. Monocytes were also examined, and expanded during acute infection resolution. In addition, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels increased after BTV inoculation and persisted throughout the experiment, indicative of a prolonged inflammatory state during BTV infections. These findings could have implications for vaccine design as the narrowing memory T cell repertoire induced after BTV re-infection could lead to the development of protective immunodominant TCR repertoires that differs between individual sheep.

A review of potential bluetongue virus vaccine strategies

Bluetongue (BT) is an economically important, non-zoonotic arboviral disease of certain wild and domestic species of cloven-hooved ungulates. Bluetongue virus (BTV) is the causative agent and the occurrence of BTV infection is distinctly seasonal in temperate regions of the world, and dependent on the presence of vector biting midges (e.g. Culicoides sonorensis in much of North America). In recent years, severe outbreaks have occurred throughout Europe and BTV is endemic in most tropical and temperate regions of the world. Several vaccines have been licensed for commercial use, including modified live (live-attenuated) and inactivated products, and this review summarizes recent strategies developed for BTV vaccines with emphasis on technologies suitable for differentiating naturally infected from vaccinated animals. The goal of this review is to evaluate realistic vaccine strategies that might be utilized to control or prevent future outbreaks of BT.

Bluetongue: control, surveillance and safe movement of animals

The performance of different bluetongue control measures related to both vaccination and protection from bluetongue virus (BTV) vectors was assessed. By means of a mathematical model, it was concluded that when vaccination is applied on 95% of animals even for 3 years, bluetongue cannot be eradicated and is able to re‐emerge. Only after 5 years of vaccination, the infection may be close to the eradication levels. In the absence of vaccination, the disease can persist for several years, reaching an endemic condition with low level of prevalence of infection. Among the mechanisms for bluetongue persistence, the persistence in the wildlife, the transplacental transmission in the host, the duration of viraemia and the possible vertical transmission in vectors were assessed. The criteria of the current surveillance scheme in place in the EU for demonstration of the virus absence need revision, because it was highlighted that under the current surveillance policy bluetongue circulation might occur undetected. For the safe movement of animals, newborn ruminants from vaccinated mothers with neutralising antibodies can be considered protected against infection, although a protective titre threshold cannot be identified. The presence of colostral antibodies interferes with the vaccine immunisation in the newborn for more than 3 months after birth, whereas the minimum time after vaccination of animal to be considered immune can be up to 48 days. The knowledge about vectors ecology, mechanisms of over‐wintering and criteria for the seasonally vector‐free period was updated. Some Culicoides species are active throughout the year and an absolute vector‐free period may not exist at least in some areas in Europe. To date, there is no evidence that the use of insecticides and repellents reduce the transmission of BTV in the field, although this may reduce host/vector contact. By only using pour‐on insecticides, protection of animals is lower than the one provided by vector‐proof establishments.

This publication is linked to the following EFSA Supporting Publications article: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/sp.efsa.2017.EN-1182/full, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/sp.efsa.2017.EN-1171/full

Defeating Bluetongue virus: new approaches in the development of multiserotype vaccines

Bluetongue virus (BTV) is a global threat to domestic and wild ruminants, causing massive economic losses throughout the world. New serotypes of the virus are rapidly emerging in different continents, unfortunately there is little cross-protection between BTV serotypes. The eradication of the virus from a region is particularly complicated in areas where multiple serotypes circulate for a long time. The present review summarizes the actual concerns about the spread of the virus and relevant approaches to develop efficient vaccines against BTV, in particular those focused on a multiserotype design.