Outer Membrane Proteins as Vaccine Targets Against <i>Lawsonia intracellularis</i> in Piglets

Background: <i>Lawsonia intracellularis</i> (LI) is the agent of proliferative enteropathy in swine, a common disease that affects pigs for up to eight weeks after weaning. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of two novel subunit vaccines targeting outer membrane proteins on LI. Methods:...

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Main Authors: Kara L. Aves, Ana H. Fresno, Sajid Nisar, Mauro M. Saraiva, Nicole B. Goecke, Adam F. Sander, Morten A. Nielsen, John E. Olsen, Priscila R. Guerra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Vaccines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/2/207
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author Kara L. Aves
Ana H. Fresno
Sajid Nisar
Mauro M. Saraiva
Nicole B. Goecke
Adam F. Sander
Morten A. Nielsen
John E. Olsen
Priscila R. Guerra
author_facet Kara L. Aves
Ana H. Fresno
Sajid Nisar
Mauro M. Saraiva
Nicole B. Goecke
Adam F. Sander
Morten A. Nielsen
John E. Olsen
Priscila R. Guerra
author_sort Kara L. Aves
collection DOAJ
description Background: <i>Lawsonia intracellularis</i> (LI) is the agent of proliferative enteropathy in swine, a common disease that affects pigs for up to eight weeks after weaning. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of two novel subunit vaccines targeting outer membrane proteins on LI. Methods: The two vaccines included OMP2c.cVLP, where the OMP2c antigen was anchored on the surface of capsid virus-like particles (cVLP); and MBP.INVASc, where antigens were anchored to an MBP fusion protein. Groups of six mice, as proof of concept, and six piglets were immunized with either OMP2c.cVLP, MBP.INVASc., or PBS as a control using a prime-boost regime. Results: Both OMP2c.cVLP and MBP.INVASc subunit vaccines induced strong antigen-specific serum IgG and IgA responses. There were no significant differences in weight gain among the groups. Mild-to-moderate clinical signs of LI infection were observed, but vaccinated groups showed lower inflammatory scores and fewer animals tested positive for bacteria by immunohistochemistry. Although neither vaccine completely prevented clinical signs of LI infection, both effectively reduced inflammation and lowered the pathogen load, thereby mitigating the severity of the disease, particularly the MBP.INVASc vaccine. Conclusions: These findings suggest that both vaccines have the potential for further development and optimization to enhance their protective efficacy against LI infections.
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spelling doaj-art-680b74ca5ca1460db8dcefc94b2433ba2025-08-20T02:03:42ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2025-02-0113220710.3390/vaccines13020207Outer Membrane Proteins as Vaccine Targets Against <i>Lawsonia intracellularis</i> in PigletsKara L. Aves0Ana H. Fresno1Sajid Nisar2Mauro M. Saraiva3Nicole B. Goecke4Adam F. Sander5Morten A. Nielsen6John E. Olsen7Priscila R. Guerra8Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1800 Frederiksberg, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1800 Frederiksberg, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1800 Frederiksberg, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1800 Frederiksberg, DenmarkDepartment of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, DenmarkDepartment of Immunology and Microbiology, Centre for Medical Parasitology, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1800 Frederiksberg, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1800 Frederiksberg, DenmarkBackground: <i>Lawsonia intracellularis</i> (LI) is the agent of proliferative enteropathy in swine, a common disease that affects pigs for up to eight weeks after weaning. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of two novel subunit vaccines targeting outer membrane proteins on LI. Methods: The two vaccines included OMP2c.cVLP, where the OMP2c antigen was anchored on the surface of capsid virus-like particles (cVLP); and MBP.INVASc, where antigens were anchored to an MBP fusion protein. Groups of six mice, as proof of concept, and six piglets were immunized with either OMP2c.cVLP, MBP.INVASc., or PBS as a control using a prime-boost regime. Results: Both OMP2c.cVLP and MBP.INVASc subunit vaccines induced strong antigen-specific serum IgG and IgA responses. There were no significant differences in weight gain among the groups. Mild-to-moderate clinical signs of LI infection were observed, but vaccinated groups showed lower inflammatory scores and fewer animals tested positive for bacteria by immunohistochemistry. Although neither vaccine completely prevented clinical signs of LI infection, both effectively reduced inflammation and lowered the pathogen load, thereby mitigating the severity of the disease, particularly the MBP.INVASc vaccine. Conclusions: These findings suggest that both vaccines have the potential for further development and optimization to enhance their protective efficacy against LI infections.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/2/207pigsantigenvirus-like particleenteropathydiarrheaOMP2
spellingShingle Kara L. Aves
Ana H. Fresno
Sajid Nisar
Mauro M. Saraiva
Nicole B. Goecke
Adam F. Sander
Morten A. Nielsen
John E. Olsen
Priscila R. Guerra
Outer Membrane Proteins as Vaccine Targets Against <i>Lawsonia intracellularis</i> in Piglets
Vaccines
pigs
antigen
virus-like particle
enteropathy
diarrhea
OMP2
title Outer Membrane Proteins as Vaccine Targets Against <i>Lawsonia intracellularis</i> in Piglets
title_full Outer Membrane Proteins as Vaccine Targets Against <i>Lawsonia intracellularis</i> in Piglets
title_fullStr Outer Membrane Proteins as Vaccine Targets Against <i>Lawsonia intracellularis</i> in Piglets
title_full_unstemmed Outer Membrane Proteins as Vaccine Targets Against <i>Lawsonia intracellularis</i> in Piglets
title_short Outer Membrane Proteins as Vaccine Targets Against <i>Lawsonia intracellularis</i> in Piglets
title_sort outer membrane proteins as vaccine targets against i lawsonia intracellularis i in piglets
topic pigs
antigen
virus-like particle
enteropathy
diarrhea
OMP2
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/2/207
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