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.

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.

Porcine Interleukin-2 Expression in Insect Cells and Its Enhancement of Pig Immunity to Swine Influenza Virus Inactivated Vaccine

Mature porcine interleukin-2 （pIL-2） gene was amplified by PCR from the plasmid pGEM-T-pIL2 and cloned into the baculovirus pFastBacTM Dual vector of the Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system under the control of the PH promoter. Recombinant plL-2 （rpIL-2） expressed in Sf9 insect cells was detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunofluorescence assay. Western blot analysis confirmed that the rpIL-2 protein had a molecular mass of 20 kDa, which was larger than the molecular mass of the mature protein predicted based on its peptide sequence. The rpIL-2 protein induced in vitro proliferation of ConA-stimulated porcine splenocytes and enhanced in vivo protective immune responses induced by vaccinating the pigs with inactivated oil emulsion vaccine against swine influenza virus. The results showed that the rpIL-2 expressed in Sf9 insect cells has immunoenhancement effects; the finding lays the foundation for the preparation of a specific recombinant IL-2 protein and the development of a novel immune adjuvant of vaccines against various infectious porcine pathogens to increase the immunoprotective efficacy of vaccines.

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.

Immune Efficacy of a Recombinant Fowlpox Virus Co-Expressing HA and NA Genes of Avian Influenza Virus in SPF Chickens

A recombinant fowlpox virus co-expressing Haemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA)named as rFPV-HA-NA was produced by HA and NA gene of A/Goose/Guangdong/3/96(H5N1)isolate of avian influenza virus recombined into the genome of fowlpox virus. In thisstudy, to evaluate its ability of protecting chickens against challenge with a lethaldose of highly pathogenic isolates of avian influenza virus, eight-week-old specific-pathogenic-free (SPF) chickens were vaccinated with recombinant virus or the wildtypefowlpox virus by wing-web puncture. After challenge 4 weeks with 10 LD50 highly pathogenicavian influenza virus H5N1 and H7N1 isolate, all chickens vaccinated with recombinantvirus were protected, while the chickens vaccinated with the wildtype fowlpox virus orunvaccinated controls experienced 100% mortality respectively following challenge. Thiscomplete protection was accompanied by the high levels of specific antibody response tothe respective components of the recombinant virus.

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.

Multiplication of the Recombinant Strain Re-7 of Avian Influenza Virus Subtype H5 in MDCK Cells

This study was conducted to explore the multiplication pattern of the recombinant strain Re-7 of avian influenza virus subtype H5 in Madin Darby Canine Kidney （MDCK） cells and to determine the optimal multiplicity of infection （MOI） and the optimal time for virus harvest. The recombinant strain Re-7 was inoculated at different MOIs into MDCK cells grown in serum-free medium in 100 L bioreactors for replication. Then, the hemagglutination（HA） titer, 50% tissue culture infectious dose （TCID50） and 50% embryo infectious dose （EID50） of culture medium were measured once every 12 h from 24 h after virus inoculation to determine the optimal MOI. After that, virus was inoculated at the optimal MOI determined above into MDCK cells for large-scale virus replication to determine the optimal time for virus harvest. The results showed that the optimal MOI was 10 2, and the optimal time for virus harvest was 60 h after inoculation. Under these conditions, the HA titer, TCIDso per 1 mL and EIDso per 0.1 mL were increased to 1：102 4, 10^7.33 and 10^6.83, respectively. This study provides relatively stable parameters for large-scale production of the recombinant strain Re-7 of avian influenza virus subtype H5.

Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of recombinant M2e.Hsp70c(Hsp70_(359–610)) fusion protein against influenza virus infection in mice

New strategies in vaccine development are urgently needed to combat emerging influenza viruses and to reduce the risk of pandemic disease surfacing. Being conserved, the M2 e protein, is a potential candidate for universal vaccine development against influenza A viruses. Mycobacterium tuberculosis Hsp70(mHsp70) is known to cultivate the function of immunogenic antigen-presenting cells, stimulate a strong cytotoxic T lymphocyte(CTL) response, and stop the induction of tolerance. Thus, in this study, a recombinant protein from the extracellular domain of influenza A virus matrix protein 2(M2e), was fused to the C-terminus of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Hsp70(Hsp70c), to generate a vaccine candidate. Humoral immune responses, IFN-γ-producing lymphocyte, and strong CTL activity were all induced to confirm the immunogenicity of M2 e.Hsp70c(Hsp70359–610). And challenge tests showed protection against H1N1 and H9N2 strains in vaccinated groups. Finally these results demonstrates M2 e.Hsp70c fusion protein can be a candidate for a universal influenza A vaccine.

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.

Genetic Analysis of the Entire Genome of a A/duck/Shanghai/Y20/2006 (H4N6) Avian Influenza Virus

[ Objective] This paper aimed to investigate the origin, characteristics and molecular evolution of duck derived H4N6 subtype avian influ- enza virus （DK/SH/Y20/06） and enrich the epidemiologic data of the waterfowl origin AIV. [Method] The entire genome of DK/SH/Y20/06 was amplified and subjected to genome sequencing. The molecular software was used for sequence analysis and phylogenetic tree construction of DK/ SH/Y20/06 with some other reference sequences in GenBank. [Result] The results indicated that the amino acid sequence adjacent to HA cleav- age site was PEKASR ↓ GLF, which was the typical characteristics of the LPAIV. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the HA gene of the isolate was derived from the Eurasian lineage in the eastern hemisphere. The NA gene was at the same branch with A/rnallard/Yan chen/2005（ H4N6）, sharing 98.3% sequence identity. The PB2, PB1, NP and PA gene of this isolate had genetically close relationships with H6 subtype AIV which is epidemic in China at present. The M gene fell into the same branch with A/environment/Korea/CSM05/2004（ H3N1 ）. The NS segment had the highest similarity with A/wild duck/Korea/YS44/2004（H1N2）. The eight genes were not at the same branch and shared a low similarity with other H4N6 subtype avian influenza viruses isolated in North America. [Condusion] These data showed that DK/SH/Y20/06（H4N6） was possibly a re- combinant virus derived from H4N6 subtype, H6N2, H6N5, H3N1 and H1 N2 subtype AIV by complex gene recombination in duck.

The cloning of non-structural-1 (NS1) gene of H9N2 subtype of avian influenza virus in pGEX-4T-1 and pMAL-c2X plasmids and expression in <i>Escherichia coli</i>DH5<i>α</i>strain

Avian influenza is a viral contagious disease that affects poultry industry and human health. Vaccination has been considered as a preventive tool in the eradication of AI, but it causes some limitations including trade embargoes and interfering with serologic surveillance in differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA strategy). Several distinct DIVA strategies have been presented to conquer these limitations. In this study, the open reading frame of NS1 gene of a H9N2 subtype of AI virus was amplified by polymerase chain reaction. After extraction and purification of NS1 gene from agarose gel, it was inserted into two different pGEX-4T-1 and pMAL-c2X plasmids and transferred in DH5α strain of Escherichia coli by using electroporation procedure. The E. coli colonies possessing recombinant NS1 gene were screened using PCR, restriction mapping and sequencing analysis. The expressed rNS1 protein was purified using affinity chromatography based on MBP (pMAL- c2X) and GST (pGEX-4T-1). The MBP-NS1 and GST- NS1 proteins on SDS-PAGE had bands with molecular weight of 68 and 52 kDa respectively. Western blotting with MBP-NS1 protein showed positive reaction using antisera obtained from chickens challenged with a H9N2 subtype strain. But, the most sera prepared from H9N2 vaccinated chickens were negative in WB. These findings indicated that the MBP-rNS1 protein of 26 kDa expressed by pMAL-c2X plasmid can be used in a DIVA for differentiation of AI infected and vaccinated chickens.

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.

Genetic and biological characteristics of the globally circulating H5N8 avian influenza viruses and the protective efficacy offered by the poultry vaccine currently used in China

The H5N8 avian influenza viruses have been widely circulating in wild birds and are responsible for the loss of over 33 million domestic poultry in Europe, Russia, Middle East, and Asia since January 2020. To monitor the invasion and spread of the H5N8 virus in China, we performed active surveillance by analyzing 317 wild bird samples and swab samples collected from 41,172 poultry all over the country. We isolated 22 H5N8 viruses from wild birds and 14 H5N8 viruses from waterfowls. Genetic analysis indicated that the 36 viruses formed two different genotypes: one genotype viruses were widely detected from different wild birds and domestic waterfowls;the other genotype was isolated from a whopper swan. We further revealed the origin and spatiotemporal spread of these two distinct H5N8 virus genotypes in 2020 and 2021. Animal studies indicated that the H5N8 isolates are highly pathogenic to chickens, mildly pathogenic in ducks, but have distinct pathotypes in mice. Moreover, we found that vaccinated poultry in China could be completely protected against H5N8 virus challenge. Given that the H5N8 viruses are likely to continue to spread in wild birds, vaccination of poultry is highly recommended in high-risk countries to prevent H5N8 avian influenza.

Conserved peptides enhance immune efficiency of inactive vaccines against emerging avian influenza viruses in chicken

Avian influenza viruses(AIVs) such as H5N1 and H7N9 are a great threat to poultry economics and public health. Vaccination can effectively inhibit the spread of AIV in poultry, which is also a viable strategy for controlling virus transmission from poultry to human. Adjuvants that are commonly used in current inactivated vaccines to provide stronger anti-AIV immune responses are often limited in their capacity to quantitatively induce both humoral and cellular immune responses. Herein, we assessed the levels of immune responses generated by a vaccine formulation comprising inactivated H5N1 antigen and synthetic peptides covering conserved CD4^+, CD8^+ T cell, and B cell epitopes. We found that the synthetic peptides enhanced the antibody responses against conserved influenza virus antigen M2 e. Notably, the hemagglutination inhibition test results indicated that the peptides significantly augmented the antibody responses of inactivated H5N1 antigen even in the 1/10 or 1/5 dose group, in the identical antibody level as antigen alone used at the full dose. This indicates that the peptide can significantly reduce the use of inactivated virus, lowering the cost of the vaccine. Moreover, the peptides increased the transcript levels of interleukin-4 and interferon-γcytokines in chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which may facilitate both humoral and cellular immune responses. Our data suggest that this peptide combined with inactivated H5N1 antigen enhances both the humoral and cellular immune responses,which may benefit the prediction and design of synthetic peptide-based adjuvants for vaccines in chicken.

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。

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。

免疫鸡血清新城疫病毒抗体水平与攻毒保护效果的相关性研究

为了明确不同血清新城疫病毒(NDV)抗体水平对鸡的保护效果,本研究采用重组NDV灭活疫苗(A-Ⅶ株)对鸡进行免疫,通过交叉血凝抑制(HI)试验比较A-Ⅶ株与La Sota株间的血清学差异,并采用NDV标准强毒株F_(48)E_(8)和基因Ⅶ型强毒株JSC0804对不同抗体水平免疫鸡进行了攻毒保护试验。结果显示:抗A-Ⅶ株血清用A-Ⅶ株抗原测得的平均HI抗体效价显著高于La Sota株抗原(P<0.01),约高1.5log2,而抗La Sota株血清用La Sota株抗原测得的平均HI抗体效价稍高于A-Ⅶ株抗原,但无显著差异(P>0.05),表明2种疫苗株存在一定的血清学差异。在试验条件下,所有免疫鸡经点眼滴鼻攻毒后均未表现明显临床症状,但存在不同程度的排毒现象,排毒率总体上随抗体效价升高呈逐渐下降趋势。A-Ⅶ株疫苗免疫鸡血清HI抗体效价分别达≥13log_(2)和≥14log_(2)时可完全阻止F_(48)E_8株和JSC0804株排毒。免疫鸡排毒一般仅限于攻毒后5 d内。本研究阐明了免疫鸡的抗体水平和免疫保护效果的相关性,为新城疫免疫控制提供了依据。

碳纳米管对鸡禽流感、新城疫的免疫增强效果研究

为探究碳纳米管(CNT)对鸡免疫禽流感-新城疫二联灭活苗免疫应答的影响,将制备的CNT-二联灭活苗混合物免疫鸡,利用血凝抑制试验对鸡免疫后产生的抗体进行持续检测,并对平均抗体效价及抗体阳性率进行统计学分析。抗体效价结果显示:免疫后7 d,高剂量CNT组鸡新城疫、禽流感抗体效价均高于对照组;免疫后14~130 d,高剂量组鸡抗体效价均稳定在8.00 Log2以上;免疫后7~31 d,中、低剂量CNT组鸡平均抗体效价逐渐升高,但与对照组鸡差异不显著;免疫后42~130 d,中、低剂量组鸡平均抗体效价呈下降趋势,但对照组鸡下降更为明显。抗体阳性率结果显示,中剂量对照组鸡新城疫、禽流感抗体阳性率分别在免疫42、70 d后开始下降,而CNT组鸡抗体阳性率仍为100%;至监测后期(90~130 d),低剂量CNT组鸡抗体阳性率显著高于对照组,二者具有统计学差异(P<0.05)。结果说明:CNT作为免疫增强剂,在增快免疫应答,维持抗体效价水平,降低免疫原用量等方面具有明显效果。本研究为动物免疫增强剂研发和应用提供了新思路。

表达H7N9亚型禽流感病毒HA蛋白的重组血清4型禽腺病毒构建及其免疫效果评估

为构建H7N9亚型禽流感病毒和血清4型禽腺病毒(FAdV-4)的二联疫苗候选株,试验通过CRISPR/Cas9和Cre-Loxp系统,以课题组前期构建的表达EGFP蛋白的重组病毒FAdV4-EGFP为载体,构建能够稳定表达H7N9亚型禽流感病毒血凝素(HA)蛋白的重组血清4型腺病毒;并通过PCR、间接免疫荧光试验(IFA)、Westernblot试验以及SPF鸡保护性试验等方法,探究此重组病毒体外生物学特性并评估其为鸡提供的保护力。结果显示:研究成功构建能稳定表达H7N9禽流感亚型病毒HA蛋白的重组血清4型腺病毒,命名为FAdV4-H7;FAdV4-H7能在LMH细胞高效复制,并能在LMH细胞传代15次后仍能稳定表达HA蛋白;FAdV4-H7不仅高度致弱,而且能诱导机体产生高滴度针对H7N9亚型禽流感病毒HI抗体和FAdV-4的中和抗体,能为SPF鸡提供足够保护来抵抗致死性FAdV-4感染。研究表明,试验成功构建了重组病毒FAdV4-H7,为H7N9亚型禽流感病毒和FAdV-4的联防联控提供了二联苗候选疫苗株。