BoLA class I allele diversity and polymorphism in a herd of cattle.

Major histocompatibility complex class I genes are among the most polymorphic genes characterized. The high level of polymorphism is essential for generating host immune responses. In humans, three distinct genomic loci encode human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I genes, allowing individuals to express up to six different HLA class I molecules.

Immunization with plasmid DNA encoding a truncated, secreted form of the bovine viral diarrhea virus E2 protein elicits strong humoral and cellular immune responses.

The major protective antigen of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), the E2 protein, is cell-associated and not expressed on the cell surface. In this study we evaluated a DNA vaccine encoding various secreted versions of E2. In vitro analysis demonstrated that deletion of the transmembrane anchor and addition of the signal sequence of bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) (gDsDeltaE2) resulted in efficient secretion of E2 into the culture medium.

Synthetic peptide vaccination in cattle: induction of strong cellular immune responses against peptides derived from the Mycobacterium bovis antigen Rv3019c.

Fully synthetic peptide vaccines possess attractive cost and safety attributes. However, peptide vaccines that induce cell-mediated immunity require both selection of appropriate peptides and the development of adjuvant formulations supporting the induction of cellular immunity. An adjuvant formulation composed of emulsigen and the synthetic CpG motif containing ODN2007 was tested in cattle for its ability to induce cellular immunity after peptide vaccination, and compared to Rv3019c DNA vaccination.

TLR9-/- and TLR9+/+ mice display similar immune responses to a DNA vaccine.

Plasmid DNA continues to attract interest as a potential vaccine-delivery vehicle. However, the mechanisms whereby immune responses are elicited by plasmids are not fully understood. Although there have been suggestions regarding the importance of CpG motifs in plasmid immunogenicity, the molecular mechanisms by which CpG motifs enhance immune responses to DNA vaccines are not well understood.