Facilitation of antibody forming responses to viral vaccine antigens in young cats by recombinant baculovirus-expressed feline IFN-γ

• Published in: Vaccine 2002-03, Vol.20 (13), p.1718-1724
• Main Authors: Schijns, Virgil E.J.C, Scholtes, Nicolette C, Zuilekom, Hanneke I.van, Sanders, Lisette E.H.H, Nicolson, Lesley, Argyle, David J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adjuvants, Immunologic - administration & dosage; Animals; Antibodies, Viral - biosynthesis; Antigen; Antigens, Viral - administration & dosage; Baculoviridae - genetics; Baculovirus; Biological and medical sciences; Calicivirus; Calicivirus, Feline - immunology; Cats; Epidemiology. Vaccinations; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Infectious diseases; Interferon-gamma - administration & dosage; Interferon-gamma - genetics; Medical sciences; Microbiology; Rabies Vaccines - administration & dosage; Recombinant Proteins; Vaccine; Vaccines, antisera, therapeutical immunoglobulins and monoclonal antibodies; Viral Vaccines - administration & dosage; Virology
• ISSN: 0264-410X; 1873-2518
• DOI: 10.1016/S0264-410X(02)00044-0

We assessed the effect of recombinant feline IFN- γ as vaccine adjuvant for in vivo antibody responses of young 3-month-old kittens to inactivated antigens of rabies and calicivirus, both natural pathogens for cats. When compared to responses following immunization with antigen alone co-administration of baculovirus-expressed cat IFN- γ significantly enhanced serum antibody titers to both viral antigens; to levels comparable with responses evoked by commonly known saponin and alum adjuvants. Adjuvanticity by feline IFN- γ was dose-dependent and all doses tested were well tolerated. We conclude that, when further optimized for in vivo delivery, feline IFN- γ may represent a safe and efficient natural vaccine adjuvant for certain antigens in cats.