Veterinary Research最新文献

{"title":"Clinically relevant genomic and phenotypic differences in virulence, antimicrobial resistance, and biofilm-associated tolerance between Streptococcus suis lineages ST1 and ST123.","authors":"Cristina Uruén, Clara M Marín, Luis Daniel González-Vázquez, Marcelo Gottschalk, Miguel Arenas, Jesús Arenas","doi":"10.1186/s13567-026-01782-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13567-026-01782-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Streptococcus suis is a Gram-positive bacterium and an important pathogen in pigs and humans. It can be classified into more than 3000 sequence types (STs), among which the ST1 and ST123 lineages are highly prevalent in Spain. ST1 is a globally distributed lineage, while ST123 has emerged within the last decade only in Spain. In this study, we compared the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of representative isolates from both lineages to better understand the factors driving the emergence of ST123. Comparative genomic analysis revealed higher genetic variability in ST123 than in ST1. The genomes of both lineages share approximately 1429 genes, representing about 61% of the total genome. Among the lineage-specific genes, we identified 131-143 genes encoding proteins involved in diverse biological functions, including metabolism, regulation, transport, and virulence. Some of these genes were located on genetic islands, encoding for proteins involved in nutrition and catabolism of specific carbohydrates. In mouse infection models, both STs showed a strong capacity to cause systemic infection, although they differed in tissue persistence patterns. In macrophage cultures, ST123 isolates showed reduced adherence and intracellular survival compared with ST1. In contrast, ST123 isolates demonstrated the capacity to acquire ampicillin resistance under laboratory conditions. Moreover, ST123 isolates exhibited increased biofilm formation and enhanced tolerance to β-lactam antibiotics within biofilms compared with ST1. In conclusion, the combination of virulence, increased biofilm-associated antibiotic tolerance, and increased  propensity to acquire  antimicrobial resistance may explain the rising prevalence of ST123 in Spain. Its recent detection in Italy further supports its potential for expansion and establishment across Europe in the coming years.</p>","PeriodicalId":23658,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary Research","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13262394/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148240227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development and characterization of functional sheep endometrial luminal epithelial organoids.","authors":"Jiahe Guo, Xinai Huang, Rongxin Xia, Qin Gao, Hua Yang, Liqin Wang, Qingyang Mai, Mingtian Deng, Guomin Zhang, Yanli Zhang, Feng Wang","doi":"10.1186/s13567-026-01764-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13567-026-01764-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The luminal epithelium (LE) serves as the primary interface for embryo-maternal communication during implantation. In ruminants such as sheep, the LE orchestrates critical reproductive events, including noninvasive adhesion, conceptus elongation, and pregnancy recognition. However, existing models face significant limitations: conventional two-dimensional (2D) cultures fail to recapitulate endometrial complexity, while current organoid systems are predominantly derived from glandular epithelium. Herein, we report the establishment of a robust three-dimensional (3D) culture system for generating ovine endometrial luminal epithelial organoids using an optimized expansion medium (ExM) supplemented with CHIR99021, Y-27632, SB202190, and the EphrinA1 ligand. The resulting organoids exhibited characteristic luminal epithelium features, including polarized architecture, mucin secretion, and high expression of lineage markers (keratin 18 (KRT-18), trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (TROP2), and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)). Moreover, we developed an apical-out polarity model that faithfully recapitulates the in vivo luminal orientation. Transcriptomic analysis confirmed the close resemblance between organoids and native luminal epithelium, as well as maintained hormonal responsiveness. Functional validation demonstrated the organoids' capacity to promote blastocyst expansion and trophoblast proliferation in co-culture systems, as well as substrate-specific adhesion that was enhanced by β-estradiol (E2) + medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) treatment. Notably, we identified erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor A (EphA) signaling as a novel regulator of stemness properties during organoid development. The successful generation of functional luminal epithelial organoids thus provides a physiologically relevant model that mirrors native endometrial structure, hormone responses, and embryo interactions. As such, it offers a valuable platform for investigating the mechanisms of endometrial receptivity and for screening potential therapeutics aimed at improving reproductive efficiency in ruminants.</p>","PeriodicalId":23658,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary Research","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13248463/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148212742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and other enteric pathogens in calves in France: effects of rotavirus, coronavirus and E. coli vaccination and transmission routes.","authors":"Damien Costa, Romy Razakandrainibe, Pierre Emilien Dorgebray, Venceslas Villier, Romain Coppée, Rachel Lefebvre, Sarah Barbey, Virginie Denizot, Pauline Martin, Tiffany Pezier, Sonia Lacroix-Lamande, Loïc Favennec, Fabrice Laurent","doi":"10.1186/s13567-025-01609-6","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13567-025-01609-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Newborn calf diarrhea is one of the most important diseases in bovine rearing, with various infectious origins. The aim of the study was to evaluate distribution of enteropathogens in calves, effect of vaccination and document transmission routes of cryptosporidiosis. In this study, 1159 stool samples were collected from calves and dams in France in: i) an experimental unit benefiting from high hygienic conditions and ii) farms selected on historical context of recurrent neonatal calf diarrhea. Stool samples were screened for enteric pathogens using the Speed-V-Diar-5^© antigen test (Virbac Diagnostics) and Cryptosporidium spp. were additionally identified by PCR, genotyped and subjected to multilocus variant analysis (MLVA). The effect of prepartum vaccination against bovine coronavirus, rotavirus and E. coli was evaluated. Results showed that Cryptosporidium was the most frequent enteropathogen, followed by bovine rotavirus. Only 16% of calves were symptomatic when systematic vaccination of dams was performed. The Speed-V-Diar-5^© antigen test (Virbac Diagnostics) achieved sensitivities for Cryptosporidium detection ranging from 67 to 70% in symptomatic calves depending of sites. For the first time, C. mortiferum and C. meleagridis were reported in symptomatic calves. A large diversity of C. parvum genotypes was identified in calves, only from the zoonotic families IIa and IId. The IIaA15G2R1 genotype represented the large majority of identified genotypes. The comparison of genotypes between calves and dams suggest that vertical transmission was not the primary route of transmission. Calf-to-calf transmission and environmental contamination probably play important roles in the spread of Cryptosporidium among calves.</p>","PeriodicalId":23658,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary Research","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13251175/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148212715","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Variation of rabbit serum IgA in relation to RHDV vaccination and infection: implications for serological diagnosis and epidemiological investigations.","authors":"Lorenzo Capucci, Vittoria Di Giovanni, Michele Schiavitto, Patrizia Cavadini, Antonio Lavazza, Brian Cooke","doi":"10.1186/s13567-026-01774-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13567-026-01774-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) is a highly pathogenic and contagious disease caused by RHD virus (RHDV) and RHDV type 2 (RHDV2), two distinct Lagovirus europaeus belonging to the Caliciviridae family. Serological investigations have been widely and successfully used on both wild and farmed rabbit populations. However, interpreting serological data remains uncertain, especially for IgA results in previously infected or vaccinated rabbits. The first part of this study reports the results of two independent vaccination experiments that demonstrated (a) serum IgA was present only in trace amounts and for a few weeks in about half of the vaccinated rabbits and (b) the serological profile of vaccinated rabbits changed significantly, with a marked and rapid increase in IgA, only when they were challenged with live RHDV administered orally. The second part of the study was carried out on a farm over 3 months, during which an RHDV outbreak unexpectedly occurred. We repeatedly sampled nine multivaccinated does, finding constant and medium-to-high levels of IgA in only three of them, namely the oldest ones, which had already been present a year and a half earlier during a devastating RHDV2 epidemic. At least one of the does became IgA positive, coinciding with the RHDV outbreak. A parallel survey on 61 young rabbits living in separate sheds on the farm showed a high percentage of IgA-positive rabbits in just one shed. Overall, our findings definitively demonstrate that vaccinations do not induce serum IgA, except in previously infected rabbits, and that IgA can be used as a marker of RHDV reinfection.</p>","PeriodicalId":23658,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary Research","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13251028/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148212683","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"EZH2 enhances PCV2 replication through inhibition of MMP1 and MMP12 transcription activity.","authors":"Yiyi Shan, Wen Feng, Yueqing Hu, Xiaomei Du, Yue Cao, Yanan Cao, Haifei Wang, Shuai Zhang, Wenbin Bao","doi":"10.1186/s13567-026-01773-3","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13567-026-01773-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), a single-stranded circular DNA virus, primarily targets the porcine immune system. It induces immunosuppression, subsequent porcine circovirus disease (PCVAD), causing substantial economic losses to the global swine industry. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a critical member of the polycomb group (PcG) protein family with histone methyltransferase activity, plays a significant role in epigenetic regulation. While previous studies have established EZH2's role in viral infection and innate immune responses, its function in PCV2 infection remains unclear. In this study, we found that EZH2 overexpression promoted PCV2 infection, whereas EZH2 knockdown via specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) and inhibition of its activity reduced PCV2 infection. Furthermore, we identified EZH2-regulated downstream genes by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and found that MMP1 and MMP12 were significantly upregulated when EZH2 methyltransferase activity was inhibited by GSK126. Mechanistically, EZH2 overexpression repressed the promoters of MMP1 and MMP12, thereby facilitating PCV2 replication. Conversely, upon depletion of the EZH2 methyltransferase domain, inhibition of MMP1 and MMP12 promoters is lifted, thereby enabling MMP1 and MMP12 to suppress PCV2 replication. Our findings establish a link between the histone methyltransferase EZH2 and the PCV2 life cycle, advance understanding of the mechanisms underlying PCV2 infection, and suggest that drugs targeting MMP1/MMP12 activity may provide potential therapeutic approaches to prevent and control PCV2 infection and spread.</p>","PeriodicalId":23658,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary Research","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13244947/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148206528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pathogenicity and immune response of turkey A(H1N2) influenza virus of swine-origin on turkeys and mice.","authors":"Chloé Chavoix, Charlotte Pain-Deloizy, Pascale Massin, Katell Louboutin, Florent Souchaud, Rachel Busson, Carole Guillemoto, Angélina Orosco, Isabelle Pierre, François-Xavier Briand, Fabrice Touzain, Michel Amelot, Alassane Keita, Thibaut Larcher, Jean-Marc Laferte, Eric Niqueux, Audrey Schmitz, Gaëlle Simon, Béatrice Grasland, Ronan Le Goffic","doi":"10.1186/s13567-026-01728-8","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13567-026-01728-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In 2020, a new swine influenza H1_avN2#E genotype emerged in pig farms in France. Shortly after its emergence in swine, this virus was detected in breeding turkey farms, and was responsible of a zoonotic infection. Phylogenetic analyses previously conducted on viral sequences led to the selection of three viruses: the first strain detected in turkeys, resulting from a recent spillover from swine to turkeys (A); a second virus also detected in turkeys and likely adapted to this species (B); and a swine reference strain (C). In the context of species-barrier crossing, the aim of this study was to characterize in vivo these three viruses in an avian model, the breeding turkey, and in a mammalian model, the mouse. Clinical signs, lesions, viral loads, and immune responses were evaluated. In turkeys inoculated experimentally, all three viruses caused similar very mild clinical signs and no viral shedding. In contrast, in mice, virus A caused marked clinical signs associated with mortality, along with a weak inflammatory response. Conversely, virus C caused few clinical signs but showed a more pronounced inflammatory response. Surprisingly, only two nonsynonymous mutations were present between viruses C and A: K189R in PB1 and E233K in HA. Virus B displayed an intermediate profile. There was no difference in genomic load in the lungs among the three viruses, suggesting that the observed differences in pathogenicity were due to the immune response rather than viral replication.</p>","PeriodicalId":23658,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary Research","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13235187/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148158407","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preclinical serum alterations and tissue changes in protein and gene expression of early cerebrospinal fluid-validated biomarkers in scrapie.","authors":"Sonia Pérez-Lázaro, Tomás Barrio, Eloisa Sevilla, Rosa Bolea, Juan J Badiola","doi":"10.1186/s13567-026-01759-1","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13567-026-01759-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Identifying reliable biomarkers for prion diseases remains a challenge, particularly for early detection in accessible body fluids. A recent mass spectrometry study on the cerebrospinal fluid proteome identified and validated five proteins significantly dysregulated in the preclinical stage of naturally scrapie-affected sheep. In this study, we quantified these proteins in serum and analysed their distribution and gene expression in the central nervous system, correlating these results with characteristic prion-related neuropathological features. Significantly elevated serum levels of synaptotagmin binding, cytoplasmic RNA interacting protein (SYNCRIP), phospholipase D3 (PLD3) and cathepsin D (CTSD) were detected in preclinical animals, mirroring previous cerebrospinal fluid findings. Central nervous system analyses on these three proteins together with osteopontin (SPP1) and complement component 4 (C4) revealed early and region-specific reduced immunoreactivity alongside upregulated gene expression in scrapie-affected animals, correlating significantly with prion-associated neuropathological features. Together, these findings highlight the potential of SYNCRIP, PLD3 and CTSD as promising minimally invasive biomarkers to diagnose prion diseases from the preclinical stage and provide new insights into the spatiotemporal regulation of the five proteins in the central nervous system throughout the progression of disease. Further research is needed to clarify the peripheral biomarker dynamics in relation to the neurodegenerative pathology.</p>","PeriodicalId":23658,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary Research","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13231744/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148151634","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genomic surveillance and evolution of co-circulating goose parvovirus and waterfowl circovirus in China.","authors":"Xiaolong Lu, Meiqi Li, Qianqian Xu, Zhixin Xie, Yanhong Wang, Kaituo Liu, Wenhao Yang, Yu Chen, Ruyi Gao, Jiao Hu, Min Gu, Shunlin Hu, Xiaoquan Wang, Xiufan Liu, Xiaowen Liu","doi":"10.1186/s13567-026-01737-7","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13567-026-01737-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As the world's largest waterfowl producer, China faces economic losses from Goose Parvovirus (GPV), worsened by waterfowl circovirus co-infections that increase pathogenicity and immunosuppression. However, current surveillance systems for these viruses lack systematization. This study conducted a comprehensive genetic analysis of GPV and waterfowl circovirus to identify genomic characteristics and recombination events. Surveillance analysis of GPV revealed a significant host-associated genotypic divergence from 2018 to 2024 in China. Goose isolates were predominantly the Mutated GPV (MGPV, 87%), while duck isolates were mainly the duck-adapted Novel GPV (NGPV, 88%). This divergence was corroborated by a global analysis, which confirmed high intra-clade similarity but substantial overall genetic diversity. Whole-genome recombination analysis revealed one isolate as a unique NGPV recombinant, with an NGPV strain as the major parent and an Early GPV strain as the minor parent. Furthermore, our study identified a persistent, host-specific co-circulating GPV and waterfowl circovirus: MGPV/GoCV in geese and NGPV/DuCV in ducks. Phylogenetic analysis shows that waterfowl circovirus exhibits significant genetic diversity: GoCV has two lineages (GoCV-I prevalent in China, GoCV-II with cross-species transmission to European Anser anser), while DuCV has three genotypes with distinct geographical distributions and host ranges across Asia and North America. Genomic analysis corroborated these phylogenetic findings and indicated ongoing genetic variation and recombination as key drivers of waterfowl circovirus evolution. In conclusion, this study systematically elucidates the ongoing adaptive evolution and genetic plasticity of GPV and waterfowl circovirus, providing a scientific basis for targeted waterfowl disease prevention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23658,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary Research","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13231610/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148151582","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular prevalence, genomic characterization, and zoonotic potential of novel paramyxovirus and hepacivirus in Alexandromys fortis, Republic of Korea.","authors":"Haryo Seno Pangestu, Intae Yang, Augustine Natasha, Shivani Rajoriya, Hennisa Hennisa, Jieun Park, Kyungmin Park, Jongwoo Kim, Seong-Gyu Kim, Terry A Klein, Heung Chul Kim, Yeonsu Oh, Jin-Won Song, Won-Keun Kim","doi":"10.1186/s13567-026-01777-z","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13567-026-01777-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rodents are substantial reservoirs of zoonotic viruses with regular human exposure restricted to a limited number of species. Numerous rodent species have been shown to harbor emerging viruses, including paramyxoviruses and hepaciviruses. Reed voles (Alexandromys fortis), a rodent species that inhabits grasslands and riparian environments throughout East Asia, remain poorly characterized in terms of their viral diversity. In this study, 258 A. fortis specimens collected from rural areas in Gyeonggi Province, Republic of Korea (ROK) were screened for paramyxoviruses and subjected to metagenomic next-generation sequencing. Genome characterization, phylogenetic and cophylogenetic assessments, and prediction of signal peptidase cleavage sites were performed to analyze the molecular features of the identified viruses. Zoonotic potential was evaluated using a genome-based machine-learning model. A nearly complete genome of a novel paramyxovirus, designated as Pyeongtaek Alexandromys paramyxovirus (PyAPV), was identified in six A. fortis specimens, with all sequences clustering within the genus Jeilongvirus. A nearly complete genome of a rodent-associated hepacivirus was also obtained from four specimens and classified as a distinct lineage within the species Hepacivirus J. These findings demonstrate the role of A. fortis as a natural reservoir of emerging viruses and expand current knowledge of rodent-associated viral diversity in the ROK.</p>","PeriodicalId":23658,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary Research","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13220433/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148057306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Expression of bluetongue virus core proteins VP2 and VP7 by bovine herpesvirus-4 confers protection against virulent challenge in a mouse model.","authors":"Valentina Franceschi, Pablo Nogales-Altozano, José M Rojas, Sergio Minesso, Noemí Sevilla, Gaetano Donofrio, Verónica Martín","doi":"10.1186/s13567-026-01771-5","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13567-026-01771-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bluetongue virus (BTV) remains a major threat to livestock health and agricultural economies worldwide due to its multiple serotypes, vector transmission, and wide geographic distribution. Vaccination is essential for controlling BTV outbreaks; however, developing vaccines that provide broad protection while complying with the requirements of differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA) remains challenging. In this study, we evaluated the antigenicity and protective efficacy of two BTV proteins, VP2 and VP7, delivered using a bovine herpesvirus-4 (BoHV-4)-based viral vector. Groups of mice lacking interferon-α/β receptor (IFNAR^-/-) (C57BL/6 background) were immunized using a prime/boost regimen with BoHV-4 vectors expressing VP2, VP7, or both antigens. All vaccinated groups developed antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses. Following challenge with virulent BTV-8, complete protection was observed in the VP2 and VP7 single-antigen groups, while 80% protection was achieved with the combined VP2 + VP7 vaccination. Total anti-BTV IgG levels increased after booster immunization, with the highest pre-challenge titers detected in the combined vaccination group. After challenge, IgG levels rose further in VP2-immunized mice, whereas VP7-immunized animals showed comparatively lower titers. All vaccinated mice mounted BTV-specific cellular responses, as demonstrated by interferon (IFN)-γ enzyme-linked immunoadsorption assay (ELISPOT) and intracellular cytokine staining. T cells expressing IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α, or CD107a were detected, with evidence of polyfunctional responses across groups. Notably, VP7 immunization induced stronger cellular responses, including increased cytotoxic potential in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. These findings demonstrate that BoHV-4 vectors expressing VP2 or VP7 elicit robust humoral and cellular immunity and confer protection against BTV, highlighting their potential as a versatile vaccine platform.</p>","PeriodicalId":23658,"journal":{"name":"Veterinary Research","volume":"57 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2026-05-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13220488/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148057269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}