title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perkins
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Babasyan
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Freer
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keggan
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
authors.forename: Laura B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Goodman
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States of America.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Glaser
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Pathology, Keldur, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Sigurbjorg
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Torsteinsdóttir
authors.affiliation: Institute for Experimental Pathology, Keldur, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Vilhjálmur
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Svansson
authors.affiliation: Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority, MAST, Office of Animal Health and Welfare, Selfoss, Iceland.
authors.forename: Sigríður
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Björnsdóttir
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D004861:Herpesvirus 1, Equid; D022283:Herpesvirus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D006736:Horses / Q000276:immunology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009500:Neutralization Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D013696:Temperature; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D016207:Cytokines; D022283:Herpesvirus Vaccines; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C080410:glycoprotein C, Equid herpesvirus 1; D015847:Interleukin-4