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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » National Animal Disease Center » Virus and Prion Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #425728
Research Project: Intervention Strategies to Control Endemic and New Emerging and Re-Emerging Viral Diseases of Swine

Location: Virus and Prion Research

Title: Systems vaccinology for enhanced swine health: targeting PRRSV with prototype interferon-augmented vaccines

Author
item MILLER, LAURA - Kansas State University
item SCHIRTZINGER, ERIN - Kansas State University
item Anderson, Sarah
item Devries, Alexandra
item Sarlo Davila, Kaitlyn
item HANSAN, MAHAMUDUL - Kansas State University
item Fleming, Damarius
item SANG, YONGMING - Kansas State University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/3/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Background: Rapidly evolving RNA viruses like Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV), pose a significant challenge to swine health. Understanding the complex immune responses elicited by vaccines and infection is crucial for improving vaccine efficacy. Systems vaccinology through the integration of multi-omics data, offers a powerful approach to address this challenge. Objectives: This study leverages systems vaccinology and transcriptomic profiling to evaluate the swine immune responses resulting from vaccination with prototype PRRSV vaccines that co-express Type 1 interferons (IFNs). We hypothesized that these IFNs would enhance antiviral immunity and improve vaccine efficacy. Methods: In vivo studies were conducted in swine (n=10 per treatment) to assess the clinical efficacy of prototype PRRSV vaccines with and without interferon inserts. Transcriptomic data was generated to characterize the gene expression profiles and immune cell dynamics in response to vaccination. Comparative analyses were performed to identify key biomarkers and pathways modulated by the IFNs. Results: Preliminary clinical data indicated that the inclusion of IFN-omega and IFN-mix in PRRSV vaccine constructs could enhance vaccine responses against PRRSV. Transcriptomic analysis revealed significant alterations in the expression of genes related to antiviral defense, antigen presentation, and adaptive immunity in swine receiving IFN-augmented vaccines. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the utility of systems vaccinology in understanding the impact of Type 1 IFNs on PRRSV vaccine-induced immunity. The integrated analysis of clinical outcomes and transcriptomic data provides a strong rationale for further utilizing this strategy to develop more efficacious and broadly protective vaccines against this economically significant swine pathogen.