Location: Endemic Poultry Viral Diseases Research
Project Number: 6040-32000-084-009-T
Project Type: Trust Fund Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Mar 1, 2026
End Date: Mar 1, 2028
Objective:
Objective 1: Finding nanobodies (small antibodies) which bind to portions of the avian reovirus. The process is know as "panning."We will pan for nanobodies against reovirus antigens (sC, sB and µB). Objective 2: Delivery of these avian reovirus proteins to poultry eggs using Marek's disease virus as a carrier. 3: Delivery of avian reovirus nanobodies and reovirus protein antigens using bacteria (Lactobacillus) immediately after hatch to provide protection against avian reovirus while immunity develops. Post-hatch administration of this recombinant Lactobacillus will provide continuous local delivery of nanobodies to the gastrointestinal tract (the site of reovirus entry) for several weeks post-hatch, providing protection until immune system competence is achieved at approximately 4 weeks of age.
Approach:
1. In ovo delivery of individual MDV-delivered COBRA antigens (antigens which are computationally designed to provide broad protective immunity) including the reovirus antigens sC, sB, and µB in combination with nanobodies targeting different reovirus antigens. This approach will explore potential synergistic effects of targeting multiple viral components.
2. Post-hatch delivery of Lactobacillus-expressed nanobodies alone, in the absence of in ovo vaccination. This will evaluate the therapeutic potential of the Lactobacillus-delivered nanobodies as a standalone treatment.
3. Best vectored antigens with a vectored nanobody targeting a different reovirus antigens, followed by Lactobacillus-delivered nanobodies post hatch.