Haemagglutinin antigen selectively targeted to chicken CD83 overcomes interference from maternally derived antibodies in chickens

Angita Shrestha,Rick Meeuws,Marielle Van Hulten,Pengxiang Chang,Jean-Remy Sadeyen,Munir Iqbal

doi:10.1038/s41541-022-00448-2

Abstract

Maternally derived antibodies (MDAs) are important for protecting chickens against pathogens in the neonatal stage however, they often interfere with vaccine performance. Here, we investigated the effects of MDAs on a targeted antigen delivery vaccine (TADV), which is developed by conjugating H9 subtype avian influenza virus haemagglutinin (HA) antigen to single chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies specific for the chicken antigen presenting cell receptor CD83. Groups of 1-day-old chickens carrying high levels of MDAs (MDA++) and 14-day old chickens carrying medium levels of MDAs (MDA+) were immunised with TADV (rH9HA-CD83 scFv), untargeted rH9HA or inactivated H9N2 vaccines. Immunogenicity in these vaccinated chickens was compared using haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The results showed that the TADV (rH9HA-CD83 scFv) induced significantly higher levels of H9HA-specific antibody titres compared to the untargeted rH9HA and inactivated H9N2 vaccines in MDA++ and MDA+ chickens. Overall, the data demonstrates immune responses induced by TADV are not affected by the MDA in chickens.

Highlights

Avian influenza viruses (AIV) are one of the major threats to poultry production, inflicting severe losses to poultry as well as posing credible zoonotic and pandemic threats[1]
As a significant drop in haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titres was observed in mother hens at 18 weeks post first dose compared to 11 weeks post first dose (p < 0.05), a third dose was given at 24 weeks post first dose
Age chickens with Maternally derived antibodies (MDAs) mount less of an immune response to vaccines compared to those that lack MDAs specific to the antigens constituted in the vaccines

Summary

Introduction

Avian influenza viruses (AIV) are one of the major threats to poultry production, inflicting severe losses to poultry as well as posing credible zoonotic and pandemic threats[1]. Outbreaks of low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (LPAIV) and high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) have resulted in severe economic losses to the poultry industry due to expenses associated with culling and quarantine, emergency vaccination programmes and loss of consumer confidence[2–4]. Despite years of research and control efforts, the number and severity of AIV outbreaks continue to increase around the world[5]. Surveillance and strict biosecurity are the key first line of defence against AIV. The biosecurity systems of current poultry farms are being repeatedly compromised and continued incursion of novel strains are causing disease outbreaks[6]. Vaccination is used as an additional measure to control AIV.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion