Immunogenomics approaches to studying antibody repertoires and vaccine responses in ruminants

Authors: SAFONOVA, YANA - Pennsylvania State University; COLLINS, ANDREW - University Of New South Wales; MURDOCH, BRENDA - University Of Idaho; Rosen, Benjamin; Smith, Timothy; WATSON, COREY - University Of Louisville

Submitted to: Annual Review of Animal Biosciences
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/2025
Publication Date: 11/21/2025
Citation: Safonova, Y., Collins, A., Murdoch, B.M., Rosen, B.D., Smith, T.P., Watson, C.T. 2025. Immunogenomics approaches to studying antibody repertoires and vaccine responses in ruminants. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences. 14:49-65. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-030424-091103.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-030424-091103

Interpretive Summary: Cattle, sheep, and goats are vital to our food supply, but they are vulnerable to many infectious diseases. For example, Bovine Respiratory Disease costs the beef industry around $1 billion each year and the recently emerged highly contagious avian influenza H5N1 can infect dairy cattle and cause an abrupt drop in milk production. These diseases not only cause significant economic losses for our farmers but can also threaten human health. We need better ways to protect these animals from sickness and ensure a stable food supply. Our research is focused on understanding how the immune systems of these important animals work, and how they respond to vaccines. We're looking at the genetic reasons behind their ability to fight off infections. This work helps us discover why some animals get sick and others don't, and how we can make vaccines more effective. This understanding is crucial for developing new ways to protect both farm animals and wildlife from disease. By improving our understanding of animal immunity and vaccine effectiveness, we can create better tools to combat costly diseases. More effective vaccines and disease prevention strategies will mean healthier livestock, leading to a more reliable and affordable supply of meat and dairy products for American families. It will also help protect farmers from devastating financial losses. Furthermore, since many animal diseases can spread to humans, this research is vital for public health, potentially saving lives and healthcare costs.

Technical Abstract: Ruminantia is a suborder of the Artiodactyla mammalian order spanning six families (Tragulidae, Giraffidae, Antilocapridae, Cervidae, Moschidae, and Bovidae) and representing nearly 200 species: from agriculturally important domesticated animals, such as cattle, sheep, and goats, to wild-living animals living in a wide range of habitats (Fig. 1A). Ruminant species serve as a valuable model allowing one to investigate the effects of domestication and hybridization on the genomic landscape1. Genomic studies of ruminants have various applications in agriculture and species conservation. Immunogenomics analysis represents an important branch of these studies and focuses on understanding the links between immune loci and pathogens. Ruminants are susceptible to various infectious diseases that can cause significant economic losses through disruptions of food security and threats to human health. For example, Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is the costliest disease of beef cattle in North America2 and, despite decades of research aiming to reduce the incidence and severity of this disease complex, it remains a problem that causes substantial losses, in the range of $1B per year. The recently emerged highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 became infectious for dairy cows in 2024 causing an abrupt drop in milk production3. Brucellosis disease, occurring in wild and domestic ruminants, is known for causing abortions, reduced milk production, and infertility, and can also spread to other animals and humans4. According to United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), the bovine leukemia virus, foot and mouth disease, and tuberculosis are among infectious diseases causing high morbidity or mortality of agricultural and wild ruminants, disrupting food security, and presenting threats to human health. Studying adaptive immunity and vaccine responses in ruminants is essential for addressing these important challenges. Effective vaccination reduces the impact of infectious diseases by enhancing disease resistance and improving herd immunity. Because many ruminant diseases are zoonotic, understanding immune responses also plays a crucial role in preventing transmission to humans. Research on the immune responses of endangered ruminants is increasingly relevant to wildlife conservation, as many wild ruminant species face disease threats exacerbated by habitat loss and contact with livestock. Developing safe and effective vaccines for endangered ruminants support conservation efforts by reducing disease-related mortality and promoting population recovery.