A novel live attenuated vaccine candidate protects chickens against subtype B avian metapneumovirus

Avian metapneumovirus(aMPV) is a highly contagious pathogen that causes acute upper respiratory tract diseases in chickens and turkeys, resulting in serious economic losses. Subtype B aMPV has recently become the dominant epidemic strain in China. We developed an attenuated aMPV subtype B strain by serial passaging in Vero cells and evaluated its safety and efficacy as a vaccine candidate. The safety test showed that after the 30th passage, the LN16-A strain was fully attenuated, as clinical signs of infection and histological lesions were absent after inoculation.The LN16-A strain did not revert to a virulent strain after five serial passages in chickens. The genomic sequence of LN16-A differed from that of the parent wild-type LN16(wtLN16) strain and had nine amino acid mutations. In chickens, a single immunization with LN16-A induced robust humoral and cellular immune responses, including the abundant production of neutralizing antibodies, CD4^(+) T lymphocytes, and the Th1(IFN-γ) and Th2(IL-4 and IL-6)cytokines. We also confirmed that LN16-A provided 100% protection against subtype B aMPV and significantly reduced viral shedding and turbinate inflammation. Our findings suggest that the LN16-A strain is a promising live attenuated vaccine candidate that can prevent infection with subtype B aMPV.

Antibodies elicited by Newcastle disease virus-vectored H7N9 avian influenza vaccine are functional in activating the complement system

H7N9 subtype avian influenza virus poses a great challenge for poultry industry.Newcastle disease virus(NDV)-vectored H7N9 avian influenza vaccines(NDV_(vec)H7N9)are effective in disease control because they are protective and allow mass administration.Of note,these vaccines elicit undetectable H7N9-specific hemagglutination-inhibition(HI)but high IgG antibodies in chickens.However,the molecular basis and protective mechanism underlying this particular antibody immunity remain unclear.Herein,immunization with an NDV_(vec)H7N9 induced low anti-H7N9 HI and virus neutralization titers but high levels of hemagglutinin(HA)-binding IgG antibodies in chickens.Three residues(S150,G151 and S152)in HA of H7N9 virus were identified as the dominant epitopes recognized by the NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum.Passively transferred NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum conferred complete protection against H7N9 virus infection in chickens.The NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum can mediate a potent lysis of HA-expressing and H7N9 virus-infected cells and significantly suppress H7N9 virus infectivity.These activities of the serum were significantly impaired after heat-inactivation or treatment with complement inhibitor,suggesting the engagement of the complement system.Moreover,mutations in the 150-SGS-152 sites in HA resulted in significant reductions in cell lysis and virus neutralization mediated by the NDV_(vec)H7N9 immune serum,indicating the requirement of antibody-antigen binding for complement activity.Therefore,antibodies induced by the NDV_(vec)H7N9 can activate antibody-dependent complement-mediated lysis of H7N9 virus-infected cells and complement-mediated neutralization of H7N9 virus.Our findings unveiled a novel role of the complement in protection conferred by the NDV_(vec)H7N9,highlighting a potential benefit of engaging the complement system in H7N9 vaccine design.

Control of highly pathogenic avian influenza through vaccination

The stamping-out strategy has been used to control highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in many countries,driven by the belief that vaccination would not be successful against such viruses and fears that avian influenza virus in vaccinated birds would evolve more rapidly and pose a greater risk to humans.In this review,we summarize the successes in controlling highly pathogenic avian influenza in China and make suggestions regarding the requirements for vaccine selection and effectiveness.In addition,we present evidence that vaccination of poultry not only eliminates human infection with avian influenza virus,but also significantly reduces and abolishes some harmful characteristics of avian influenza virus.

The Protection Efficacity of DNA Vaccine Encoding Hemagglutinin of H5 Subtype Avian Influenza Virus

The DNA vaccine pCIHA5 encoding hemagglutinin can protect SPF chicken against lethal H5N1 avian influenza virus challenge. The more characters about its protection efficacity were studied. The protective rates in 10, 40, 70, 100 and 150 μg groups immunized with pCIHA5 were 12.5 (1/8), 58.3 (7/12), 72.7 (8/11), 50.0 (6/12) and 66.7% (8/12), respectively. The protective rates in 5, 20, 35 and 50 μg groups were 145.5 (5/11), 58.3 (7/12), 58.3 (7/12) and 91.7% (11/12), respectively. The 70, 100 and 5 μg groups have virus shedding of 1/8, 2/6 and 1/5. Though the inactived oil-emulsion vaccine has high HI antibody titers and 100% protective rate, the AGP antibody could be detected after vaccination. Results show that the pCIHA5 is fit to boost by intramuscular injection. This would be useful to the study on gene engineering vaccine of avian influenza virus.

Development and Assessment of Two Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza(HPAI) H5N6 Candidate Vaccine Viruses for Pandemic Preparedness

Objective In China, 24 cases of human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza(HPAI) H5 N6 virus have been confirmed since the first confirmed case in 2014. Therefore, we developed and assessed two H5 N6 candidate vaccine viruses(CVVs).Methods In accordance with the World Health Organization(WHO) recommendations, we constructed two reassortant viruses using reverse genetics(RG) technology to match the two different epidemic H5 N6 viruses. We performed complete genome sequencing to determine the genetic stability. We assessed the growth ability of the studied viruses in MDCK cells and conducted a hemagglutination inhibition assay to analyze their antigenicity. Pathogenicity attenuation was also evaluated in vitro and in vivo.Results The results showed that no mutations occurred in hemagglutinin or neuraminidase, and both CVVs retained their original antigenicity. The replication capacity of the two CVVs reached a level similar to that of A/Puerto Rico/8/34 in MDCK cells. The two CVVs showed low pathogenicity in vitro and in vivo, which are in line with the WHO requirements for CVVs.Conclusion We obtained two genetically stable CVVs of HPAI H5N6 with high growth characteristics,which may aid in our preparedness for a potential H5N6 pandemic.

Studies on Immunological Effect and Immunological Mechanism Avian Encephalomyelitis Oil Emulsion Inactivated Vaccine

Oil emulsion inactivated vaccine was prepared by susceptible embryos, with different strains of AEV. Four groups of normal chickens of 2 - 7 days of age were given injections for immunization, respectively. Another group was used as control. This study was expected to evaluate the immunological effect and discuss the immunological mechanism by means of five different experiments, i.e. the agar-gel precipitin test, the isolation of lymphokine, the isolation, purification and analysis of blood serum IgG, embryo-susceptibility test, and clinical and pathological examination. The results of these experiments indicated that oil emulsion inactivated vaccine is safe and effective. The chickens were normal when inoculated with AE strong virus after immunity at 4 and 37 weeks. Immunological mechanism is that the humoral immunity played an important role and celluar immunity exists, but it is not important in the process of the resistance to AEV.

Preparation and Examination of Inactivated Emulsion Vaccine against Newcastle Disease, Infectious Bronchitis and H9 Subtype Avian Influenza

[ Objective] To prepare inactivated emulsion vaccine against Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis and H9 subtype avian influenza. [ Method] Antigen fluid of Newcastle disease virus （NDV） La Sota strain, infectious bronchitis virus （IBV） M41 strain and HgN2 subtype avian in- fluenza virus （AIV） WD strain was prepared by propagation in chicken embryos, respectively. The antigen fluid was concentrated with FILTRON Cassette ultra-filtration system and inactivated by formalin. The antigen fluid of NDV, IBV and AIV was mixed at a volume ratio of 1：1：1. Then the mixture was emulsified by Span-80 and Tween-80 and added medical white oil as adjuvant. The sterility and physical characteristics of the prepared ND-IB-AI combined vaccine were detected. [ Result] The three batches of ND-IB-AI combined vaccine were germ-free, milky white, with water-in- oil pattern and with viscosity of 6.3 -6.8 s. The water and oil were not separated after rest at 37 ~C for 21 d or centrifugation. [ Conclusion] The three batches of ND-IB-AI combined vaccine were germ-free and reached the standard for physical characteristics of vaccines.

Antibody Dynamic Changes in SPF Chickens and SPF Ducks Immuned with Recombinant Avian Influenza Virus H5 Subtype Bivalent Inactivated Vaccine

To study the immune effect of recombinant avian influenza virus H5 subtype bivalent inactivated vaccine （ HSN1, Re-6 strain ＋ Re-4 strain） and to provide the basis for formulating reasonable immune procedure of avian influenza vaccine in clinical practice. A total of 12 batches of vaccines from three companies were used for the iannune of SPF chickens and SPF ducks. Each chicken or duck serum was separately collected every 3 weeks until the immunization up to the 24^th week. The serum antibody titers of Re-6 and Re-4 were detected. The results showed that the HI titers of the inoculated SPF chickens and SPF ducks roached the peak when the immune time were the 6^th and 3^rd week after the first immunization respectively; then the titer decreased gradually as time prolonged; the highest titer of SPF chickens was greater than that of SPF ducks; the high titer duration of SPF chickens were longer than that of SPF ducks ; and all the vaccines from the three companies showed a good immune effect.

Varicella zoster virus vaccines: potential complications and possible improvements

Varicella zoster virus(VZV) is the causative agent of varicella(chicken pox) and herpes zoster(shingles). After primary infection, the virus remains latent in sensory ganglia, and reactivates upon weakening of the cellular immune system due to various conditions, erupting from sensory neurons and infecting the corresponding skin tissue. The current varicella vaccine(v-Oka) is highly attenuated in the skin, yet retains its neurovirulence and may reactivate and damage sensory neurons. The reactivation is sometimes associated with postherpetic neuralgia(PHN), a severe pain along the affected sensory nerves that can linger for years, even after the herpetic rash resolves. In addition to the older population that develops a secondary infection resulting in herpes zoster, childhood breakthrough herpes zoster affects a small population of vaccinated children. There is a great need for a neuro-attenuated vaccine that would prevent not only the varicella manifestation, but, more importantly, any establishment of latency, and therefore herpes zoster. The development of a genetically-defined live-attenuated VZV vaccine that prevents neuronal and latent infection, in addition to primary varicella, is imperative for eventual eradication of VZV, and, if fully understood, has vast implications for many related herpesviruses and other viruses with similar pathogenic mechanisms.

Protective efficacy of an H5/H7 trivalent inactivated vaccine(H5-Re13,H5-Re14, and H7-Re4 strains) in chickens, ducks, and geese against newly detected H5N1, H5N6, H5N8, and H7N9 viruses

Some H5 viruses isolated in poultry or wild birds between 2020 and 2021 were found to be antigenically different from the vaccine strains(H5-Re11 and H5-Re12) used in China. In this study, we generated three new recombinant vaccine seed viruses by using reverse genetics and used them for vaccine production. The vaccine strain H5-Re13 contains the hemagglutinin(HA) and neuraminidase(NA) genes of an H5 N6 virus that bears the clade 2.3.4.4 h HA gene, H5-Re14 contains the HA and NA genes of an H5 N8 virus that bears the clade 2.3.4.4 b HA gene, and H7-Re4 contains the HA and NA genes of H7 N9 virus detected in 2021. We evaluated the protective efficacy of the novel H5/H7 trivalent inactivated vaccine in chickens, ducks, and geese. The inactivated vaccine was immunogenic and induced substantial antibody responses in the birds tested. Three weeks after vaccination, chickens were challenged with five different viruses detected in 2020 and 2021: three viruses(an H5 N1 virus, an H5 N6 virus, and an H5 N8 virus) bearing the clade 2.3.4.4 b HA gene, an H5 N6 virus bearing the clade 2.3.4.4 h HA gene, and an H7 N9 virus. All of the control birds shed high titers of virus and died within 4 days post-challenge, whereas the vaccinated chickens were completely protected from these viruses. Similar protective efficacy against H5 viruses bearing the clade 2.3.4.4 h or 2.3.4.4 b HA gene was observed in ducks and geese. Our study indicates that the newly updated H5/H7 vaccine can provide solid protection against the H5 and H7 N9 viruses that are currently circulating in nature.

Protective efficacy of an H5/H7 trivalent inactivated vaccine produced from Re-11, Re-12, and H7-Re2 strains against challenge with different H5 and H7 viruses in chickens

We developed an H5/H7 trivalent inactivated vaccine by using Re-11, Re-12, and H7-Re2 vaccine seed viruses, which were generated by reverse genetics and derived their HA genes from A/duck/Guizhou/S4184/2017(H5N6) (DK/GZ/S4184/17) (a clade 2.3.4.4d virus), A/chicken/Liaoning/SD007/2017(H5N1) (CK/LN/SD007/17) (a clade 2.3.2.1d virus), and A/chicken/ Guangxi/SD098/2017(H7N9) (CK/GX/SD098/17), respectively. The protective efficacy of this novel vaccine and that of the recently used H5/H7 bivalent inactivated vaccine against different H5 and H7N9 viruses was evaluated in chickens. We found that the H5/H7 bivalent vaccine provided solid protection against the H7N9 virus CK/GX/SD098/17, but only 50–60% protection against different H5 viruses. In contrast, the novel H5/H7 trivalent vaccine provided complete protection against the H5 and H7 viruses tested. Our study underscores the importance of timely updating of vaccines for avian influenza control.

Comparison of Five Expression Vectors for the Ha Gene in Constructing a DNA Vaccine for H6N2 Influenza Virus in Chickens

A number of eukaryotic expression vectors have been developed for use as DNA vaccines. They showed varying abilities to initiate immune responses;however, there is little data to indicate which of these vectors will be the most useful and practical for DNA vaccines in different species. This report examines the use of five expression vectors with different promoters and Kozak sequence to express the same hemagglutinin (HA) protein of an H6N2 avian influenza virus for DNA vaccination in chickens. Although intramuscular vaccination with seven DNA constructs elicited no or limited measurable H6 HA antibody responses in Hy-Line chickens, variable reduction in virus shedding for either oropharyngeal or cloacal swabs post-virus challenge were observed. This indicated that all DNA constructs generated some levels of protective immunity against homologous virus challenge. Interestingly, lower dose (50 or 100 μg) of plasmid DNAs consistently induced better immune response than higher dose (300 or 500 μg). In the transfection experiments there appeared to be a hierarchy in the in vitro expression efficiency in the order of pCAG-optiHAk/ pCAG-HAk > pCI-HAk > VR-HA > pCI-HA > pCI-neo-HA > pVAX-HA. Since the level of in vitro expression correlates with the level of immune response in vivo, in vitro expression levels of the DNA constructs can be used as an indicator for pre-selection of plasmid vaccines prior to in vivo assessment. Moreover, our results suggested that the Kozak sequence could be used as an effective tool for DNA vaccine design.

Protection Efficacy of Recombinant Infectious Laryngotracheitis Vaccine in Chicks

A commercial recombinant fowl pox vectored infectious laryngotracheitis （ILT） vaccine was examined its protection efficacy in one-day-old chicks by subcutaneous route with various dose-strength. The treatment groups I-III birds were vaccinated with a full, 1/2 and 1/3 dose of recommendation dose, respectively. Thereafter, at 6 wk post vaccination, they were challenged with 5x labeled dose of live ILT vaccine. Protection efficacy of the vaccine was compared among groups based on antibody production and eye lesion score. The results of eye lesion score showed that there was a significant difference between control and treatment groups, whereas the difference was not found among the treatment groups. For seroconversion, there was no significant difference between birds in group I and II. However, higher number of seroconversion birds in groups I and II than group III was observed （P 〈 0.05）. It was concluded that a half dose of recommendation dose had the same protection efficacy as a full dose of recombinant YP-LT vaccine.

Maternal-derived antibodies hinder the antibody response to H9N2 AIV inactivated vaccine in the field

The H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus(AIV)inactivated vaccine has been used extensively in poultry farms,but it often fails to stimulate a sufficiently high immune response in poultry in the field,although it works well in laboratory experiments;hence,the virus still causes economic damage every year and poses a potential threat to public health.Based on surveillance data collected in the field,we found that broilers with high levels of maternal-derived antibodies(MDAs)against H9N2 virus did not produce high levels of antibodies after vaccination with a commercial H9N2 inactivated vaccine.In contrast,specific pathogen-free(SPF)chickens without MDAs responded efficiently to that vaccination.When MDAs were mimicked by administering passively transferred antibodies(PTAs)into SPF chickens in the laboratory,similar results were observed:H9N2-specific PTAs inhibited humoral immunity against the H9N2 inactivated vaccine,suggesting that H9N2-specific MDAs might hinder the generation of antibodies when H9N2 inactivated vaccine was used.After challenge with homologous H9N2 virus,the virus was detected in oropharyngeal swabs of the vaccinated and unvaccinated chickens with PTAs but not in the vaccinated chickens without PTAs,indicating that H9N2-specific MDAs were indeed one of the reasons for H9N2 inactivated vaccine failure in the field.When different titers of PTAs were used to mimic MDAs in SPF chickens,high(HI=12 log2)and medium(HI=log 9 log2)titers of PTAs reduced the generation of H9N2-specific antibodies after the first vaccination,but a booster dose would induce a high and faster humoral immune response even of PTA interference.This study strongly suggested that high or medium titers of MDAs might explain H9N2 inactivated vaccine failure in the field.

Public perceptions about the emerging human monkey pox disease and vaccination in twin cities of Pakistan: a cross-sectional study

Background:The monkey pox virus is caused by monkey pox(MPX),which is similar to both smallpox and cowpox.Near tropical rain forests,it usually occurs in isolated communities in Central and West Africa.The monkey pox virus,a member of the family Poxviridae and belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus.Close contact with infected animals,sick people,or contaminated inanimate things can cause the virus to spread to humans.The illness typically takes 7 to 14 days to incubate and is characterized by fever,headache,lethargy,myalgia,generalized body pains,lymph node swelling,and skin lesions.Given the variety of illnesses that can result in skin rashes,it could be challenging to differentiate monkey pox solely based on clinical presentation,particularly for patients with an uncommon look.Objective:The main objective of the study is to evaluate public perceptions regarding the emerging human monkey pox disease and vaccination.Methods:The study was conducted using a cross-sectional study design.The sample size was 472 participants;however,10 questionnaires were excluded because of invalid data.The 462 questionnaires were included by expert validation from the general public of Rawalpindi and Islamabad,Pakistan.The data were analyzed using Chi-squared tests.Results:This questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 15 Sep to 15 Oct 2022.The participants’perceptions,knowledge,and attitudes were collected via a 24-item-based questionnaire survey.The survey was based on 462 participants,196(42.4%)were females,and 266(57.6%)were males.The results reveal that out of 462 participants,clinical symptoms of monkey pox disease 82.7%(382),complications of monkey pox disease 81.2%(375),lymphadenopathy(swollen lymph nodes)is one clinical feature that could be used to differentiate between monkey pox and smallpox 81.2%(375)and monkey pox is common in Western and Central Africa 24.2%(112).Furthermore,the majority of participants(P≤0.05)agreed that health officials should start a vaccination campaign to combat monkey pox.Regarding preventive measures and vaccination campaigns,health officials should take public preventive measures 79.7%(368)and health officials start a vaccination campaign against monkey pox disease 56.3%(260).Conclusion:There was a significant difference seen in the public perception regarding monkey pox preventive measures and vaccination.The International health authorities must take priority-based preventative measures to prevent the spread of monkey pox disease around the world.

Evolutionary implications of Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus(AIBV)analysis

For developing efficient vaccines, it is essential to identify which amino acid changes are most important to the survival of the virus. We investigate the amino acid substitution features in the Avian Infectious Bronchitis Virus （AIBV） antigenic domain of a vaccine serotype （DE072） and a virulent viral strain （GA98） to better understand adaptive evolution of AIBV. In addition, the SARS Coronavirus （SARS-CoV） was also analyzed in the same way. It is interesting to find that extreme comparability exists between AIBV and SARS in amino acid substitution pattern. It suggests that amino acid changes that result in overall shift of residue charge and polarity should be paid special attention to during the development of vaccines.

Review of sheep and goat pox disease: current updates on epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention and control measures in Ethiopia

Sheep pox, goat pox, and lumpy skin diseases are economically significant and contagious viral diseases of sheep, goats and cattle, respectively, caused by the genus Capripoxvirus (CaPV) of the family Poxviridae. Currently, CaPV infection of small ruminants (sheep and goats) has been distributed widely and are prevalent in Central Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia. This disease poses challenges to food production and distribution, affecting rural livelihoods in most African countries, including Ethiopia. Transmission occurs mainly by direct or indirect contact with infected animals. They cause high morbidity (75-100% in endemic areas) and mortality (10-85%). Additionally, the mortality rate can approach 100% in susceptible animals. Diagnosis largely relies on clinical symptoms, confirmed by laboratory testing using real-time PCR, electron microscopy, virus isolation, serology and histology. Control and eradication of sheep pox virus (SPPV), goat pox virus (GTPV), and lumpy skin disease (LSDV) depend on timely recognition of disease eruption, vector control, and movement restriction. To date, attenuated vaccines originating from KSGPV O-180 strains are effective and widely used in Ethiopia to control CaPV throughout the country. This vaccine strain is clinically safe to control CaPV in small ruminants but not in cattle which may be associated with insufficient vaccination coverage and the production of low-quality vaccines.

广西H9N2亚型禽流感病毒疫苗候选株的筛选

【目的】筛选出免疫原性更优的H9N2亚型禽流感病毒(AIV)疫苗候选株用于新型疫苗研发,为加强对H9N2亚型AIV的防控提供技术支持。【方法】以2000—2020年广西地区分离获得的36株H9N2亚型AIV分离株为试验材料,依据HA基因遗传进化分析选择12株不同年份、不同地域及不同宿主来源的H9N2亚型AIV代表株,与目前使用的商品化H9亚型AIV疫苗株(SS株)进行交叉血凝抑制试验(HI)及抗原性分析,根据抗原分析结果选择其中具有不同抗原差异的代表株制备油乳剂灭活疫苗,并分别与商品化H9亚型AIV疫苗(SS株)进行交叉免疫保护试验。【结果】在36株H9N2亚型AIV广西分离株中有31株属于Y280-Like(9.4.1),其中26株属于分支I、5株属于分支II,另外5株属于G1-Like(h9.4.1),与我国常用疫苗株分属于不同进化分支。12株H9N2亚型AIV广西代表性分离株灭活后的HA效价≥7 log2,病毒灭活效果良好,可用于制备油乳剂灭活疫苗,且制备的油乳剂灭活疫苗稳定性和安全性良好。根据交互HI抗体滴度计算出各毒株间的抗原相关值(R),结果发现A/chicken/Guangxi/C227/2015(H9N2)株(简称C227株)与其他毒株的抗原性无明显差异,对应的R在0.72~0.93间波动;疫苗交叉保护试验结果也表明,C227株制备的油乳剂灭活疫苗对不同毒株的免疫保护率均高于80%,且免疫保护效果优于A/chicken/Guangxi/CX/2013(H9N2)株(简称CX13株),说明C227株更适合作为H9N2亚型AIV灭活疫苗的候选株。【结论】基于抗原性分析和免疫原性测定筛选出的A/chicken/Guangxi/C227/2015(H9N2)株对广西地区绝大部分H9N2亚型AIV流行株的免疫保护效果良好,可作为疫苗候选株用于研制新型H9N2亚型AIV疫苗。

基于减法蛋白组学和反向疫苗学方法设计禽致病性大肠杆菌O1和O78血清型多表位疫苗

【目的】设计针对禽致病性大肠杆菌(avian pathogenic Escherichia coli,APEC)O1和O78血清型的多表位疫苗(multi-epitope vaccine,MEV),为APEC新型疫苗的研制奠定基础。【方法】本研究结合减法蛋白组学和反向疫苗学进行研究。通过CD-HIT、BLASTP等工具去除APEC O1、O78蛋白序列中的冗余和不相似蛋白。将APEC O1、O78中相似蛋白与鸡参考蛋白质组进行BLASTP比对,去除同源蛋白,保留非同源蛋白。采用DEG、VFDB等数据库筛选具有毒力的必需蛋白。利用在线工具PSORTb和VaxiJen v 2.0筛选候选蛋白。使用在线工具NetCTL 1.2和NetMHCⅡpan 4.0预测T淋巴细胞主要组织相容性复合体Ⅰ和Ⅱ类分子结合表位,用在线工具IEDB预测B淋巴细胞表位。经在线工具VaxiJen v 2.0评估抗原性后,将合格的表位通过柔性linker串联成多表位疫苗。对设计的多表位疫苗进行抗原性、理化性质、N-糖基化位点、二级结构和三级结构预测。通过分子对接和免疫模拟分别评估多表位疫苗与免疫受体的结合能力及免疫效果,优化密码子便于克隆表达。【结果】经筛选后,选择12个CLT表位、12个HTL表位和12个B淋巴细胞表位构建多表位疫苗MEV-O1O78。多表位疫苗MEV-O1O78分子质量为69.81 ku,为稳定亲水蛋白,具有良好的抗原性,存在7个潜在的N-糖基化位点。二级结构中,α-螺旋、延长链和无规则卷曲分别占7.93%、10.81%和81.27%。三级结构拉氏图显示,优势区域中含有的残基数占95.6%。免疫模拟结果显示,多表位疫苗MEV-O1O78能引起良好的体液免疫,并提高部分细胞因子的表达,经密码子优化确保设计的多表位疫苗MEV-O1O78在大肠杆菌K12表达系统中高效、稳定地表达。【结论】本研究成功设计了含36个优势表位的APEC O1和O78多表位疫苗MEV-O1O78,可为研发禽致病性大肠杆菌病的多表位疫苗提供理论依据和数据支持。

H9N2 AIV灭活疫苗免疫SPF鸡攻毒后肺组织免疫相关基因表达变化研究

[目的]本试验旨在探究H9N2亚型禽流感病毒攻击对H9灭活疫苗免疫SPF鸡呼吸系统的影响。[方法]选用36只3周龄SPF鸡,随机分为对照组(Con)、攻毒组(Flu)、免疫后攻毒组(Vac+Flu)。以每只0.4 mL剂量免疫接种H9灭活疫苗,3周后以10~6 EID_(50)的病毒量进行攻毒,采集拭子、血清、气管、肺组织等样品,通过血凝抑制(HI)试验、RT-PCR、荧光定量PCR(qPCR)等方法检测血清中HI抗体滴度、肺脏流感病毒M基因拷贝数以及免疫相关基因CD4、CD8、GATA3、T-bet、IL-4、IL-13、TNF-α、IFN-γ、Perforin、Granzyme、FasL、Fas等的表达量;并利用HE染色、免疫组织化学的方法观察气管、肺脏的病理变化及病毒特异性抗原NP蛋白的分布特征。[结果]HI试验结果显示,SPF鸡疫苗免疫后可产生较高的H9N2 AIV抗体效价。免疫保护试验和RT-PCR结果显示,SPF鸡疫苗免疫后攻毒仍能检测到机体排毒和流感病毒M基因在肺脏组织中的表达。HE染色和免疫组化结果显示,接种H9N2 AIV灭活疫苗后能够明显减轻SPF鸡气管和肺脏的病理损伤,降低气管、肺脏中的病毒载量。荧光定量PCR结果显示,接种H9N2 AIV灭活疫苗后能够提高SPF鸡肺脏中Th1、Th2细胞因子分泌水平,促进穿孔素/颗粒酶途径相关基因表达进而增强肺脏中细胞毒性反应。[结论]H9N2疫苗免疫鸡感染H9病毒后虽然仍存在排毒现象,但其抗病毒免疫系统活跃、其主要器官病毒载量降低,建议按照流感疫苗免疫程序进行免疫接种,提高对流感的防控水平。