title: Intranasal immunization of pigs with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus-like particles plus 2', 3'-cGAMP VacciGrade™ adjuvant exacerbates viremia after virus challenge.
abstract: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes reproductive failure in pregnant sows and acute respiratory disease in young pigs. It is a leading infectious agent of swine respiratory complex, which has significant negative economic impact on the swine industry. Commercial markets currently offer both live attenuated and killed vaccines; however, increasing controversy exists about their efficacy providing complete protection. Virus-like particles (VLPs) possess many desirable features of a potent vaccine candidate and have been proven to be highly immunogenic and protective against virus infections. Here we explored the efficacy of PRRSV VLPs together with the use of a novel 2', 3'-cGAMP VacciGrade™ adjuvant.
  
  
  
  Animals were immunized twice intranasally with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), PRRSV VLPs, or PRRSV VLPs plus 2', 3'-cGAMP VacciGrade™ at 2 weeks apart. Animals were challenged with PRRSV-23983 at 2 weeks post the second immunization. PRRSV specific antibody response and cytokines were measured. Viremia, clinical signs, and histological lesions were evaluated.
  
  
  
  PRRSV N protein specific antibody was detected in all animals at day 10 after challenge, but no significant difference was observed among the vaccinated and control groups. Surprisingly, a significantly higher viremia was observed in the VLPs and VLPs plus the adjuvant groups compared to the control group. The increased viremia is correlated with a higher interferon-α induction in the serum of the VLPs and the VLPs plus the adjuvant groups.
  
  
  
  Intranasal immunizations of pigs with PRRSV VLPs and VLPs plus the 2', 3'-cGAMP VacciGrade™ adjuvant exacerbates viremia. A higher level of interferon-α production, but not interferon-γ and IL-10, is correlated with enhanced virus replication. Overall, PRRSV VLPs and PRRSV VLPs plus the adjuvant fail to provide protection against PRRSV challenge. Different dose of VLPs and alternative route of vaccination such as intramuscular injection should be explored in the future studies to fully assess the feasibility of such a vaccine platform for PRRSV control and prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA.
authors.forename: Alexandria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Noort
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA.
authors.forename: April
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nelsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA.
authors.forename: Angela E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Pillatzki
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA.
authors.forename: Diego G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Diel
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA.|Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA.|BioSNTR, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology and Microbiology, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA. Xiuqing.wang@sdstate.edu.
authors.forename: Xiuqing
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0491-4937
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D007114:Immunization / Q000662:veterinary*; D019318:Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D019316:Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus / Q000276:immunology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D013552:Swine; D058425:Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014765:Viral Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D014766:Viremia / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D016207:Cytokines; D058425:Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle; D014765:Viral Vaccines
keywords: 2′, 3′-cGAMP vaccigrade™; Increased viremia; Interferon-α; Intranasal immunization; PRRSV; Virus-like particles