Immune responses of chickens inoculated with recombinant Lactobacillus expressing the haemagglutinin of the avian influenza virus.

Abstract

AIMS:

To develop a safe, effective and convenient vaccine for the prevention of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), we have successfully constructed a recombinant lactobacillus (LDL17-pH) that expresses the foreign HPAI protein, haemagglutinin 1 (HA1 ).

METHODS AND RESULTS:

The mucosal and systemic immune responses that are triggered by LDL17-pH following the oral administration to 10-day-old chickens were evaluated. The results showed that LDL17-pH could significantly increase the specific anti-HA1 IgA antibody level in the mucosa and the anti-HA1 IgG level in sera. Tissues were isolated from trachea and Peyer's patches(PPs)and caecal tonsils of chickens, and gene expression was analysed via real-time quantitative PCR.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results showed that LDL17-pH could significantly induce the specific anti-HA1 IgA antibody level in the trachea and intestine and the specific anti-HA1 IgG antibody level in the serum (P < 0·05). Additionally, LDL17-pH was in the capacity to induce the expression of cytokines IFN-γ, TLR-2 and AvBD-9 in the PPs and caecal tonsils. Most importantly, the chickens that were immunized with LDL17-pH were protected against lethal challenge of the H5N1 virus to some extent.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY:

Therefore, LDL17-pH could be a promising oral vaccine candidate against HPAI.

• Authors: Z Wang, Q Yu, J Fu, J Liang, Q Yang
• Journal: Journal of applied microbiology (J Appl Microbiol) Vol. 115 Issue 6 Pg. 1269-77 (Dec 2013) ISSN: 1365-2672 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23937220 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2013 The Society for Applied Microbiology.