Innate immune responses induced by the saponin adjuvant Matrix-M in specific pathogen free pigs

• Published in: Veterinary research (Paris) 2017-05, Vol.48 (1), p.30-30, Article 30
• Main Authors: Ahlberg, Viktor, Hjertner, Bernt, Wallgren, Per, Hellman, Stina, Lövgren Bengtsson, Karin, Fossum, Caroline
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adjuvants, Immunologic - pharmacology; Analysis; Animals; Cytokines; Cytokines - genetics; Cytokines - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation; Health aspects; Hogs; Immune response; Immune system; Immunity, Innate - drug effects; Immunologi; Immunology; Leukocyte Count - veterinary; Life Sciences; Male; Nanoparticles; Pathogens; Physiological aspects; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction - veterinary; Saponins; Saponins - metabolism; Saponins - pharmacology; Serum Amyloid A Protein - analysis; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms - immunology; Swine; Swine - immunology; Vaccines; Veterinary medicine
• ISSN: 1297-9716; 0928-4249; 1297-9716
• DOI: 10.1186/s13567-017-0437-2

Saponin-based adjuvants have been widely used to enhance humoral and cellular immune responses in many species, but their mode of action is not fully understood. A characterization of the porcine transcriptional response to Matrix-M was performed in vitro using lymphocytes, monocytes or monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) and in vivo. The effect of Matrix-M was also evaluated in specific pathogen free (SPF) pigs exposed to conventionally reared pigs. The pro-inflammatory cytokine genes IL1B and CXCL8 were up-regulated in monocytes and lymphocytes after Matrix-M exposure. Matrix-M also induced IL12B, IL17A and IFNG in lymphocytes and IFN-α gene expression in MoDCs. Several genes were indicated as up-regulated by Matrix-M in blood 18 h after injection, of which the genes for IFN-α and TLR2 could be statistically confirmed. Respiratory disease developed in all SPF pigs mixed with conventional pigs within 1-3 days. Two out of four SPF pigs injected with saline prior to contact exposure displayed systemic symptoms that was not recorded for the four pigs administered Matrix-M. Granulocyte counts, serum amyloid A levels and transcription of IL18 and TLR2 coincided with disease progression in the pigs. These results support further evaluation of Matrix-M as a possible enhancer of innate immune responses during critical moments in pig management.