Yuanling Bao, Mengmeng Yu, Peng Liu, Fujun Hou, Farooque Muhammad, Zhihao Wang, Xinyi Li, Zhuo Zhang, Suyan Wang, Yuntong Chen, Hongyu Cui, Aijing Liu, Xiaole Qi, Qing Pan, Yanping Zhang, Li Gao, Kai Li, Changjun Liu, Xijun He, Xiaomei Wang, Yulong Gao

Vaccines (Basel).2020 Dec 14;8(4):E762.doi: 10.3390/vaccines8040762.

Abstract

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), a highly contagious agent, is widespread and causes acute upper respiratory tract disease in chickens and turkeys. However, currently, there is no vaccine licensed in China. Herein, we describe the development of an inactivated aMPV/B vaccine using the aMPV/B strain LN16. Combined with a novel adjuvant containing immune-stimulating complexes (ISCOMs), the novel vaccine could induce high virus-specific and VN antibodies. In addition, it activated B and T lymphocytes and promoted the expression of IL-4 and IFN-γ. Importantly, boosting vaccination with the inactivated aMPV/B vaccine could provide 100% protection against aMPV/B infection with reduced virus shedding and turbinate inflammation. The protection efficacy could last for at least 6 months. This study yielded a novel inactivated aMPV/B vaccine that could serve as the first vaccine candidate in China, thus contributing to the control of aMPV/B and promoting the development of the poultry industry.

Keywords: adjuvant; avian metapneumovirus; inactivated vaccine.