Targeting influenza vaccine antigens to antigen presenting cells (APC)

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The targeting of vaccine antigens to dendritic cells is used to provoke stronger and faster immune responses than are achieved with conventional vaccines. Although these outcomes are highly desirable this approach has not been reported in poultry, primarily due to a lack of appropriate APC-specific reagents. The recent cloning of APC-specific molecules under (amongst others) CSG projects 1033-BC-I-C, 1031-YJ-I-C and Intervet-funded project 0907-YJ-I-C have now provided these tools. This project will apply them to the potentiation of vaccination against avian influenza (AI) virus. Molecules will include both monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins with specificity for APCs. Initially these will be linked with relevant avian influenza virus antigens, and used to vaccinate chicks. Cellular and humoral immune responses will be measured and chicks challenged with low and high pathogenicity avian influenza virus to determine efficacy. Once proof of principal for a particular vaccine antigen / target molecule is established attention will be given to delivery systems and routes. It is anticipated that this project will provide preliminary data that will be used in further funding applications, including approaches to industrial partners.

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