Synergistic effects of oral inoculation with a recombinant Lactobacillus plantarum NC8 strain co-expressing interleukin-2 and interleukin-17B on the efficacy of the infectious bronchitis vaccine in chickens.

2024-09
Poultry science 103(9)

PubMed: 38981363
DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.103908

Study Design

Population: chicks
Methods: engineered a novel Lactobacillus plantarum NC8 strain that co-expresses chicken interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-17B, designated NC8-ChIL2-17B, and orally administering NC8-ChIL2-17B along with a commercial IBV vaccine to chicks

Animal Study

Mucosal vaccination strategies are easier to implement than others in large-scale poultry farming. However, the adjuvants that are approved for veterinary use, which are predominantly aluminum- and oil-emulsion-based adjuvants, are not suitable for mucosal vaccination and carry a risk of adverse reactions. In this study, we engineered a novel Lactobacillus plantarum NC8 strain that co-expresses chicken interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-17B, which we designated NC8-ChIL2-17B, and evaluated its potential as an oral immunoadjuvant. The immunomodulatory properties of NC8-ChIL2-17B were evidenced by its ability to activate macrophages and inhibit the proliferation of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in vitro. We then confirmed its immunoadjuvant activity in vivo by orally administering NC8-ChIL2-17B along with a commercial IBV vaccine to chicks. The results indicated that NC8-ChIL2-17B enhanced the immune response elicited by the IBV vaccine and increased the levels of IBV-specific IgG and sIgA antibodies produced in response to IBV infection. Additionally, administration of NC8-ChIL2-17B promoted weight gain and beneficially modulated the gut microbiota, resulting in improved chicken performance. These findings suggest that oral administration of NC8-ChIL2-17B is a promising strategy to enhance the immune efficacy of the IBV vaccine in chickens, offering an efficacious alternative adjuvant.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118	—	Improved Growth Performance	Beneficial	Small	View source administration of NC8-ChIL2-17B promoted weight gain and beneficially modulated the gut microbiota, resulting in improved chicken performance.
Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118	—	Improved Immune Response to Vaccination	Beneficial	Moderate	View source NC8-ChIL2-17B enhanced the immune response elicited by the IBV vaccine and increased the levels of IBV-specific IgG and sIgA antibodies produced in response to IBV infection.
Lactobacillus salivarius UCC118	—	Reduced Lung Viral Proliferation	Beneficial	Small	View source The immunomodulatory properties of NC8-ChIL2-17B were evidenced by its ability to activate macrophages and inhibit the proliferation of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in vitro.