Indian Veterinary Research Institute
भारतीय पशुचिकित्सा अनुसंधान संस्थान

Immunology Section

Major Achievements

  • LPS and genomic DNA containing CpG from Salmonella Gallinarum activated innate immune system of chickens and gave higher protection after immunization with inactivated NDV to birds on challenge.
  • Conjugation of Fc with flagellin protein was a good model for efficient antigen delivery resulting higher immune response than antigen alone.
  • Chitosan coated cationic PLG nanoparticles with mean size of around 165 nm have been prepared for the delivery of Brucella L7/L12 DNA vaccine, that could be absorbed on to the surface of the nanoparticles.
  • Transformed fibroblasts antigen was found to be much superior antigen for detection of anti-avian leucosis virus antibodies in the serum samples of chicken flocks, as compared to gsAg, as determined in an indirect ELISA.
  • Inactivated P. multocida vaccine adjuvanted with genomic DNA containing CpG motifs induced better nitric oxide production by the splenocytes in murine than saponin adjuvanted vaccine.
  • Humoral and cellular immune responses were found higher in both, CpG and saponin adjuvanted formalin inactivated P. multocida vaccinated groups of mice.
  • Challenge study indicated saponin adjuvanted P. multocida vaccine gave better protection than CpG adjuvanted vaccine.
  • Receptor mediated antigen delivery through Fc receptor technique by conjugating flagellin protein with Fc fragment has shown enhanced immuneresponse in mice.
  • Conjugation of flagellin protein with Fc fragment reduced the toxicity of flagellin and rendered it safe and immunogenic where as free flagellin was relatively toxic.
  • Overall expression of genes of TLR2, TLR4, IL-1 beta, INF-gamma and iNOS was found higher in the PBMC of LPS treated group than the DNA treated group at one interval or others whereas in LPS in combination with DNA normally a lower level in avian model was observed suggesting antagonistic effect of these two agonists.
  • LPS and genomic DNA of Salmonella Gallinarum treated groups of birds showed better humoral and cellular responses to inactivated NDV and conferred higher protection than NDV alone suggesting adjuvants effects of these TLR agonists.
  • PLG nanoparticles encapsulating outer membrane proteins (OMP) of Salmonella Gallinarum induced mucosal immunity (IgA antibody) at local sites after oral immunization in chickens, indicating that this could be used as a suitable mucosal vaccine delivery system.