Colostrum from cows immunized with a veterinary vaccine against bovine rotavirus displays enhanced in vitro anti-human rotavirus activity

Biotechnological Interventions for the Production of Subunit Vaccines Against Group A Rotavirus

Group A rotavirus (RVA) is a major cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children globally, despite the availability of live-attenuated vaccines. Challenges such as limited efficacy in low-income regions, safety concerns for immunocompromised individuals, and cold-chain dependency necessitate alternative vaccine strategies. Subunit vaccines, which use specific viral proteins to elicit immunity, provide a safer and more adaptable approach. This review highlights biotechnological advancements in producing subunit vaccines, focusing on recombinant expression systems like bacterial, yeast, insect, mammalian, and plant-based platforms for scalable and cost-effective production of viral proteins. Key innovations include molecular engineering, adjuvant development, and delivery system improvements to enhance vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy. Subunit vaccines and virus-like particles expressed in various systems have demonstrated promising preclinical and clinical results, with some candidates nearing commercial readiness. Reverse vaccinology, combined with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, is driving the development of innovative multiepitope vaccines and antivirals. Strategies such as passive immunization, single-chain antibodies, immunobiotics, and novel antivirals are also explored as alternative management options. The review also underscores advanced genome editing and reverse genetics approaches to improve vaccine design and antiviral therapies. These biotechnological interventions offer hope for equitable and effective control of rotavirus diarrhea, particularly in resource-limited settings, and represent significant progress toward addressing current vaccine limitations.

Proteomic and antimicrobial peptide analyses of Buffalo colostrum and mature Milk whey: A comparative study

Buffalo colostrum is the initial mammary secretion after parturition, consisting of nutritional and bioactive components. In this study, we conducted a proteomic analysis of buffalo colostrum whey to identify bioactive proteins and peptides. A total of 107 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in buffalo colostrum whey compared to those in mature milk. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that DEPs were primarily associated with immune response and tissue development. KEGG pathway enrichment suggested that colostrum actively enhances nascent immunity involved in interleukin and interferon signaling pathways. Furthermore, candidate antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of whey protein hydrolysates from buffalo colostrum were characterized, which exhibits broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. Overall, this study improves our understanding of protein variations in buffalo lactation, and contributes to the development of AMPs from buffalo colostrum.

Antirotaviral activity of dairy byproducts enriched in fractions from hyperimmune bovine colostrum: the effect of thermal and high hydrostatic pressure treatments

Nowadays, rotaviruses remain a major health burden, especially in developing countries, and strategies complementary to vaccination are needed. In this view, dairy fractions have attracted great scientific interest, due to their high content of bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antiviral activity of whey and buttermilk enriched in proteins from hyperimmune bovine colostrum (HBC) against rotavirus. The enriched fractions were spray-dried and subsequently tested for their neutralizing activity against the bovine rotavirus WC3 strain in vitro, using differentiated Caco-2/TC7 cells. The highest antirotaviral activity was observed when whey and buttermilk were enriched in purified immunoglobulin G (IgG), showing complete rotavirus neutralization at concentrations of 3 and 6 mg mL-1 for whey and buttermilk, respectively. Additionally, the use of a crude immunoglobulin fraction also gave satisfactory results. The inhibitory activities of all samples significantly decreased after the application of heat, except for the IgG-enriched buttermilk which showed a slight increase of activity following the application of short-time treatments (75 or 85 °C for 20 s). This sample also showed a significant increase of activity (13%) after the application of low-intensity high hydrostatic pressure treatment (400 MPa for 5 min). The maximum loss of bioactivity was observed at 600 MPa for 10 min (31 and 20% for whey- and buttermilk-based formulas, respectively). This study provides relevant information on the potential of whey, buttermilk, and HBC to be part of functional products as complementary strategies to combat rotavirus infections.

Colostrum Composition, Characteristics and Management for Buffalo Calves: A Review

In this review, the composition, characteristics, and management of dairy buffalo calves were examined and compared with bovines. The neonatal period is critical for buffalo calves and is characterized by a high mortality rate (more than 40%). The early intake of high-quality colostrum (IgG > 50 mg/mL) is the one way to improve the immune system of calves (serum IgG > 10 mg/mL after 12 h), thus increasing their chances of survival. Mainly in intensive farms, the availability of high-quality colostrum is necessary; thus, good quality colostrum is often stored to provide newborn calves which cannot be fed by their mothers. Also, the manipulation of the immunological status of animals through vaccination has been depicted since the quality of colostrum tended to be influenced by vaccination against pathogens. Buffalo breeding is constantly expanding in Italy, mainly thanks to the Mozzarella cheese production that represents the excellence of the "Made in Italy" and is exported worldwide. Indeed, high calf mortality rates directly affect the profitability of the business. For these reasons, the aim of this review was to examine specific research on buffalo colostrum that, compared with other species, are scarce. Improving the knowledge of buffalo colostrum, in terms of characteristics and management, is critical to guarantee buffalo newborns' health in order to reduce their mortality rate. Importantly, considering the knowledge on cattle valid also for buffalo is a widespread, and often erroneous, habit in several fields, including colostrum feeding. Therefore, the two species were compared in this review.

Antibodies against spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 variants in bovine whey IgG enriched fraction

Bovine whey IgG enriched fraction contains IgG antibodies against bacterial and viral pathogens, including antibodies against the spike protein [amino acids (aa) 1-1274] of SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain (2019-nCoV WHU01). To date, 13 SARS-CoV-2 variants have been identified, including gamma, delta, kappa, and omicron, which contain 10, eight, seven, and over 30 mutations in the spike protein, respectively. We investigated whether bovine whey IgG enriched fraction contains antibodies against spike proteins of these variants, specifically recombinant partial length spike proteins (aa 177-512, aa 509-685, aa 177-324, aa 250-410 and aa 387-516) of these variants. Direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays revealed bovine whey IgG enriched fraction contained antibodies against all recombinant spike proteins of these variants with highest reactivity against aa 177-512 region of omicron spike protein. These results indicate bovine whey IgG enriched fraction contains antibodies against spike proteins of several SARS-CoV-2 variants, including omicron.

Human milk glycosaminoglycans inhibit cytomegalovirus and respiratory syncytial virus infectivity by impairing cell binding

BACKGROUND

The antiviral role of glycosaminoglycans in human milk (HM-GAGs) has been poorly investigated. They are highly sulfated polysaccharides, which were proposed to act as decoy receptors according to their structure. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antiviral potential and the mechanism of action of total and individual HM-GAGs against three pediatric clinically relevant viruses: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and rotavirus.

METHODS

HM-GAGs were isolated from HM and a library of individual GAGs, structurally related to HM-GAGs, was prepared. The antiviral activity of HM-GAGs and the impact of thermal treatment were investigated in vitro by specific antiviral assays.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that HM-GAGs are endowed with anti-HCMV and anti-RSV activity and that they act by altering virus attachment to cell. We clarified the contribution of individual HM-GAGs, showing a specific structure-related activity. We did not observe any alteration of HM-GAG antiviral activity after thermal treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that HM-GAGs contribute to the overall antiviral activity of HM, likely exerting a synergic action with other HM antiviral agents. HM-GAGs can now be added to the list of endogenous factors that may reduce breast-milk-acquired HCMV symptomatic infections and protecting infants from respiratory tract infections by RSV.

IMPACT

HM-GAGs have been poorly investigated for their antiviral action so far. We demonstrated that HM-GAGs are endowed with significant anti-HCMV and anti-RSV activity and that they are able to alter virus binding to the cell. The contribution of individual HM-GAGs is mainly exerted by the FMHep and is not based on a simple charge interaction between the virus and sulfate groups but involves a specific GAG structural configuration. Our results contribute to identifying the multiple factors synergically acting in mediating HM antiviral properties and to clarifying their specific mechanism of action.

Comparison of gut viral communities in diarrhoea and healthy dairy calves

Calf diarrhoea has been a major cause of economic losses in the global dairy industry. Many factors, including multiple pathogen infections, can directly or indirectly cause calf diarrhoea. This study compared the faecal virome between 15 healthy calves and 15 calves with diarrhoea. Significantly lower diversity of viruses was found in samples from animals with diarrhoea than those in the healthy ones, and this feature may also be related to the age of the calves. Viruses belonging to the families Astroviridae and Caliciviridae that may cause diarrhoea in dairy calves have been characterized, which revealed that reads of caliciviruses and astroviruses in diarrhoea calves were much higher than those in healthy calves. Five complete genomic sequences closely related to Smacoviridae have been identified, which may participate in the regulation of the gut virus community ecology of healthy hosts together with bacteriophages. This research provides a theoretical basis for further understanding of known or potential enteric pathogens related to calf diarrhoea.

The contribution of bovines to human health against viral infections

In the last 40 years, novel viruses have evolved at a much faster pace than other pathogens. Viral diseases pose a significant threat to public health around the world. Bovines have a longstanding history of significant contributions to human nutrition, agricultural, industrial purposes, medical research, drug and vaccine development, and livelihood. The life cycle, genomic structures, viral proteins, and pathophysiology of bovine viruses studied in vitro paved the way for understanding the human counterparts. Calf model has been used for testing vaccines against RSV, papillomavirus vaccines and anti-HCV agents were principally developed after using the BPV and BVDV model, respectively. Some bovine viruses-based vaccines (BPIV-3 and bovine rotaviruses) were successfully developed, clinically tried, and commercially produced. Cows, immunized with HIV envelope glycoprotein, produced effective broadly neutralizing antibodies in their serum and colostrum against HIV. Here, we have summarized a few examples of human viral infections for which the use of bovines has contributed to the acquisition of new knowledge to improve human health against viral infections covering the convergence between some human and bovine viruses and using bovines as disease models. Additionally, the production of vaccines and drugs, bovine-based products were covered, and the precautions in dealing with bovines and bovine-based materials.

Colostrum Therapy for Human Gastrointestinal Health and Disease

There is increasing awareness that a broad range of gastrointestinal diseases, and some systemic diseases, are characterized by failure of the mucosal barrier. Bovine colostrum is a complex biological fluid replete with growth factors, nutrients, hormones, and paracrine factors which have a range of properties likely to contribute to mucosal healing in a wide range of infective, inflammatory, and injury conditions. In this review, we describe the anatomy and physiology of the intestinal barrier and how it may fail. We survey selected diseases in which disordered barrier function contributes to disease pathogenesis or progression, and review the evidence for or against efficacy of bovine colostrum in management. These disorders include enteropathy due to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), necrotizing enterocolitis, infectious diarrhea, intestinal failure, and damage due to cancer therapy. In animal models, bovine colostrum benefits NSAID enteropathy, IBD, and intestinal failure. In human trials, there is substantial evidence of efficacy of bovine colostrum in inflammatory bowel disease and in infectious diarrhea. Given the robust scientific rationale for using bovine colostrum as a promoter of mucosal healing, further work is needed to define its role in therapy.

Chemometric Analysis of Antioxidant and Mineral Elements in Colostrum of Native and Non-native Goat Breeds to Hypoxic Conditions at High Altitude

Colostrum of goat is a well-known nutritional source of animal product, which is attributed to innumerable nutritional properties. To enrich nutritional resources for understanding various nutritional values of animal product at high altitude, chemometric analysis of antioxidant and mineral element study was carried out by comparing antioxidants capacity, free radical scavenging activity, and certain mineral elements in colostrums of native and non-native goat breeds. Colostrum samples were collected from native Changthangi (CNG) and non-native Sirohi (SIRO) goat breeds, situated at naturally exposed high altitude of 3505.2 m above mean sea level. The antioxidant of samples was measured by ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity assay, and mineral elemental quantification of Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Co, Cu, K, Ca, B, Ni, and Cr was performed using ICP-OES. The values of FRAP, DPPH, and Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, Co, Cu, K, and Ca in colostrums of native goat breed was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher than the non-native goat. These data conclude that high altitude native goat has more antioxidant and mineral elements in colostrum than non-native colostrum. This study could provide a basis for establishing the role of colostrum supplements as a natural source to strengthen the endurance to modalities for the survival of newborn kids of goat within the native high altitude environment. This is the first report of a comparative chemometric analysis of colostrums of goat species and can be utilized to characterize the nutritional aspect of animal product with unique antioxidant and mineral nutrients composition in colostrum of goat.