Maternal vaccination: shaping the neonatal response to pertussis

Antepartum maternal vaccination can protect highly sensitive newborns before they are old enough to receive their own vaccines. Two vaccines are currently recommended during pregnancy: the flu vaccine and the Tdap vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Although there is strong evidence that maternal vaccination works to protect the offspring, limitations in the understanding of vaccines and of maternal transfer of immunity compound to obscure our understanding of how they work. Here we focus on the example of pertussis to explore the possible mechanisms involved in the transfer of protection to offspring and how these may impact the newborn's response to future exposure to pertussis. For example, Tdap vaccines induce pathogen specific antibodies, and those antibodies are known to be transferred from mother to the fetus in utero and to the newborn via milk. But antibodies alone have modest impact on pertussis disease, and even less effect on colonization/transmission. Maternal immune cells can also be transferred to offspring and may play a direct role in protection from disease and/or influence the developing neonatal immune system. However, some of the transferred immunity may also blunt the offspring's response to subsequent vaccination. In this review we will summarize the protection conferred to offspring by maternal vaccination against pertussis and the likely mechanisms by which protection is transferred, identifying the many knowledge gaps that limit our most effective application of this approach.

Innate immune response in neonate Holstein heifer calves fed fresh or frozen colostrum

The aim of this research was to evaluate the influence of maternal cells from colostrum on the development and function of the innate immune response in Holstein calves. Calves were divided into 2 groups: COL + (n = 10) received fresh colostrum; and COL − (n = 10) which received frozen colostrum containing no viable cells. The calves were assessed before colostrum intake (D0), 48 h of age (D2), and weekly from D7 up to D28. Blood samples were collected for analysis of the distribution of leukocytes, cellular phenotype and in vitro granulocyte function. COL + calves tended to have a high number of neutrophils on D7 (p = 0.073). COL − calves took up significantly more Escherichia coli (measured as MFI) on D7 (p = 0.034). Endogenous production of radicals (as percentage of cells) tended to be higher in COL − calves on D14 (p = 0.061). The intensity of endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by granulocytes tended to be higher in COL + calves on D21 (p = 0.094). Overall, ROS production (percent of cells, and MFI) induced by Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were higher in COL + calves than COL − calves. It was our observation that COL + calves developed an innate immune response more quickly and efficiently after natural exposure to pathogens after birth. In contrast, COL − calves mounted an innate response more slowly that yielded a persistent inflammatory response after natural exposure to these bacteria agents. This research provides evidence of an advantage to the calf of receiving fresh colostrum on the development and function of the innate immune system.

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Calves fed whole fresh colostrum (COL +) developed a fast and efficient innate immune response.

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Calves fed frozen colostrum (COL −) colostrum had a slow and persistent inflammatory response after natural challenge.

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COL + calves demonstrates advantages in relation to innate immune response against pathogens causing diarrhea.

Duration of immunity to experimental infection with bovine respiratory syncytial virus following intranasal vaccination of young passively immune calves

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether a combination modified-live bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) vaccine could stimulate protective immunity in young BRSV-seropositive calves following intranasal administration and determine the duration of clinical immunity.

DESIGN

Controlled challenge study. Animals-84 dairy calves (3 to 11 days old).

PROCEDURES

Responses to BRSV challenge of seronegative calves vaccinated under licensing trial conditions were compared with those of seropositive calves 2 times after vaccination. In experiment 1, young BRSV-seronegative calves were vaccinated intranasally with a minimum immunizing dose of BRSV and challenged with BRSV approximately 7 weeks later. In experiments 2 and 3, young BRSV-seropositive calves were vaccinated intranasally with a commercially available combination modified-live virus vaccine containing the commercial dose of the BRSV fraction and challenged with BRSV 9 weeks or approximately 14 weeks later, respectively.

RESULTS

In experiments 1 and 2, BRSV-vaccinated calves had significantly higher Pao2, significantly fewer lung lesions, and significantly lower mortality rate than did unvaccinated calves subsequent to BRSV challenge. In contrast, in experiment 3, there were no differences in Pao2, lung lesions, or mortality rate between vaccinated and control calves after BRSV challenge approximately 14 weeks after vaccination. Protected calves in experiment 1 consistently had significant anamnestic mucosal and systemic antibody responses after challenge, whereas in experiments 2 and 3, antibody responses after challenge were more variable.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

A combination BRSV vaccine administered intranasally to young calves induced protective immunity in the presence of maternal antibodies. The duration of immune responses induced by intranasal vaccination was short (≤ 4 months). Boosting immunity iatrogenically, or by natural exposure, is probably required to obtain optimal responses to neonatal intranasal vaccination.

Novel vaccine formulations against pertussis offer earlier onset of immunity and provide protection in the presence of maternal antibodies

Whooping cough is a respiratory illness most severe in infants and young children. While the introduction of whole-cell (wP) and acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines has greatly reduced the burden of the disease, pertussis remains a problem in neonates and adolescents. New vaccines are needed that can provide early life and long-lasting protection of infants. Vaccination at an early age, however, is problematic due to the interference with maternally derived antibodies (MatAbs) and the bias towards Th2-type responses following vaccination. Here we report the development of a novel vaccine formulation against pertussis that is highly protective in the presence of MatAbs. We co-formulated pertussis toxoid (PTd) and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) with cytosine-phosphate-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN), cationic innate defense regulator (IDR) peptide and polyphosphazene (PP) into microparticle and soluble vaccine formulations and tested them in murine and porcine models in the presence and absence of passive immunity. Vaccines composed of the new adjuvant formulations induced an earlier onset of immunity, higher anti-pertussis IgG2a and IgA titers, and a balanced Th1/Th2-type responses when compared to immunization with Quadracel(®), one of the commercially available vaccines for pertussis. Most importantly, the vaccines offered protection against challenge infection in the presence of passively transferred MatAbs.

Response to experimentally induced infection with bovine respiratory syncytial virus following intranasal vaccination of seropositive and seronegative calves

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether a combination modified-live bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) vaccine can stimulate protective immunity in young BRSV-seropositive calves following intranasal (IN) administration.

DESIGN

Controlled challenge study.

ANIMALS

66 Holstein bull calves, 3 to 8 days old.

PROCEDURES

In experiment 1, BRSV-seropositive and -seronegative calves were vaccinated IN with a commercially available combination modified-live virus vaccine formulated for SC administration; calves underwent BRSV challenge 4.5 months later. In experiment 2, BRSV-seronegative calves were vaccinated IN or SC (to examine the effect of route of administration) with the same combination vaccine that instead had a 1/100 dose of BRSV (to examine the effect of dose); calves underwent BRSV challenge 21 days later.

RESULTS

In experiment 1, BRSV challenge resulted in severe respiratory tract disease with low arterial partial pressures of oxygen and lung lesions in most calves from all groups. Maximum change in rectal temperature was significantly greater in seropositive IN vaccinated calves, compared with seronegative IN vaccinated and seropositive control calves. Number of days of BRSV shedding was significantly lower in seronegative IN vaccinated calves than in seropositive IN vaccinated and seropositive control calves. In experiment 2, maximum change in rectal temperature was significantly greater in seronegative control calves, compared with seronegative IN and SC vaccinated calves. Shedding of BRSV was significantly reduced in seronegative IN and SC vaccinated calves, compared with control calves; also, lung lesions were reduced in seronegative IN and SC vaccinated calves.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Maternal antibodies may inhibit priming of protective responses by IN delivered BRSV vaccines.

Neonatal mucosal immunization with a non-living, non-genetically modified Lactococcus lactis vaccine carrier induces systemic and local Th1-type immunity and protects against lethal bacterial infection

Safe and effective immunization of newborns and infants can significantly reduce childhood mortality, yet conventional vaccines have been largely unsuccessful in stimulating the neonatal immune system. We explored the capacity of a novel mucosal antigen delivery system consisting of non-living, non-genetically modified Lactococcus lactis particles, designated as Gram-positive enhancer matrix (GEM), to induce immune responses in the neonatal setting. Yersinia pestis LcrV, used as model protective antigen, was displayed on the GEM particles. Newborn mice immunized intranasally with GEM-LcrV developed LcrV-specific antibodies, Th1-type cell-mediated immunity, and were protected against lethal Y. pestis (plague) infection. The GEM particles activated and enhanced the maturation of neonatal dendritic cells (DCs) both in vivo and in vitro. These DCs showed increased capacities for secretion of proinflammatory and Th1-cell polarizing cytokines, antigen presentation and stimulation of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. These data show that mucosal immunization with L. lactis GEM particles carrying vaccine antigens represents a promising approach to prevent infectious diseases early in life.