Neonatal Immunization with a Single IL-4/Antigen Dose Induces Increased Antibody Responses after Challenge Infection with Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) at Weanling Age.
Abstract: Neonatal foals respond poorly to conventional vaccines. These vaccines typically target T-helper (Th) cell dependent B-cell activation. However, Th2-cell immunity is impaired in foals during the first three months of life. In contrast, neonatal basophils are potent interleukin-4 (IL-4) producers. The purpose of this study was to develop a novel vaccine triggering the natural capacity of neonatal basophils to secrete IL-4 and to evaluate if vaccination resulted in B-cell activation and antibody production against EHV-1 glycoprotein C (gC). Neonatal vaccination was performed by oral biotinylated IgE (IgE-bio) treatment at birth followed by intramuscular injection of a single dose of streptavidin-conjugated gC/IL-4 fusion protein (Sav-gC/IL-4) for crosslinking of receptor-bound IgE-bio (group 1). Neonates in group 2 received the intramuscular Sav-gC/IL-4 vaccine only. Group 3 remained non-vaccinated at birth. After vaccination, gC antibody production was not detectable. The ability of the vaccine to induce protection was evaluated by an EHV-1 challenge infection after weaning at 7 months of age. Groups 1 and 2 responded to EHV-1 infection with an earlier onset and overall significantly increased anti-gC serum antibody responses compared to control group 3. In addition, group 1 weanlings had a decreased initial fever peak after infection indicating partial protection from EHV-1 infection. This suggested that the neonatal vaccination induced a memory B-cell response at birth that was recalled at weanling age after EHV-1 challenge. In conclusion, early stimulation of neonatal immunity via the innate arm of the immune system can induce partial protection and increased antibody responses against EHV-1.
Publication Date: 2017-01-03 PubMed ID: 28045974PubMed Central: PMC5207648DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169072Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research seeks to fully understand a new vaccine’s ability to stimulate an immune response in neonatal horses (foals) by leveraging the body’s natural interleukin-4 (IL-4) secretion, offering partial protection against Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1).
Study Background
- This study came about due to the observation that conventional vaccines do not effectively stimulate an immune response in neonatal foals, particularly during the first three months of life.
- Typical vaccines target the Th-cell dependent B-cell activation, but in neonatal foals, Th2-cell immunity is notably diminished.
- However, it was identified that neonatal basophils, a type of white blood cell, were efficient producers of interleukin-4 (IL-4).
Study Objective
- The research aimed to create a novel vaccine that would stimulate the neonatal foals’ basophils’ natural IL-4 production ability.
- The research hypothesis was that this stimulation would lead to B-cell activation and the subsequent production of antibodies against EHV-1 glycoprotein C (gC).
Vaccine Design and Testing
- The proposed vaccine was administered to the neonates in two groups. The first group was given an oral biotinylated IgE (IgE-bio) treatment at birth, which was followed by an intramuscular injection of a single dose of streptavidin-conjugated gC/IL-4 fusion protein (Sav-gC/IL-4) designed to crosslink the receptor-bound IgE-bio.
- For the second group, only the intramuscular Sav-gC/IL-4 vaccine was administered.
- Your third group, the control, did not receive any vaccine at birth.
- Initial results did not detect any gC antibody production post-vaccination.
Protection Evaluation
- The ability of the vaccine to induce protection was evaluated by subjecting the groups to an EHV-1 challenge infection at 7 months post-weaning.
- The first two vaccinated groups illustrated an earlier onset and significantly increased anti-gC serum antibody responses compared to the unvaccinated control group.
- In particular, the first group, which received the oral IgE-bio treatment as well as the intramuscular Sav-gC/IL-4 vaccine, showed a decreased initial fever peak post-infection, indicating some degree of partial protection against EHV-1.
Conclusion
- This study demonstrates that early stimulation of neonatal immunity via the innate arm of the immune system (the basophils and their IL-4 production) can induce a memory B-cell response and partial protection alongside increased antibody responses against EHV-1.
- The researchers conclude that utilizing the immune mechanisms of neonates could lead to more effective vaccine designs for young animals.
Cite This Article
APA
Wagner B, Perkins G, Babasyan S, Freer H, Keggan A, Goodman LB, Glaser A, Torsteinsdóttir S, Svansson V, Björnsdóttir S.
(2017).
Neonatal Immunization with a Single IL-4/Antigen Dose Induces Increased Antibody Responses after Challenge Infection with Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) at Weanling Age.
PLoS One, 12(1), e0169072.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0169072 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
- Institute for Experimental Pathology, Keldur, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
- Institute for Experimental Pathology, Keldur, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
- Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority, MAST, Office of Animal Health and Welfare, Selfoss, Iceland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Antibodies, Viral / blood
- Antibody Formation
- B-Lymphocytes / immunology
- B-Lymphocytes / virology
- Cytokines / immunology
- Herpesviridae Infections / prevention & control
- Herpesviridae Infections / veterinary
- Herpesvirus 1, Equid
- Herpesvirus Vaccines / therapeutic use
- Horse Diseases / prevention & control
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses / immunology
- Interleukin-4 / administration & dosage
- Interleukin-4 / immunology
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Neutralization Tests / veterinary
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins / administration & dosage
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins / immunology
- Temperature
- Viral Envelope Proteins / administration & dosage
- Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology
Conflict of Interest Statement
BW and GP submitted a patent application entitled ‘Stimulation of Neonatal Immunity’. The other authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. The competing interest statement does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.
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