Award details

Pathogenesis and immunology of Mycobacterium bovis infection in cattle

Reference	BBS/E/I/00000934
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Christopher Howard
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	The Pirbright Institute
Department	The Pirbright Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	79,998
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2002
End date	31/03/2007
Duration	60 months

Abstract

The proposed research program seeks to apply IAH¿s expertise in bovine immunology to dissect the mechanisms of immunity to M. bovis in cattle. The components of this program are: (i) Characterization of the functional changes induced in antigen-presenting cells by M. bovis: The results of this work will allow identification of those properties of the organisms that should be targeted for attenuation and hence point to strategies for development and screening of attenuated strains for vaccination. (ii) Identification of the T cell responses that are required for immunity: The findings will facilitate selective screening of antigens for use in subunit vaccines and indicate the type of vaccine formulation that will be required. Immunological correlates of immunity identified in this work will also be of value for monitoring responses in vaccine trials. (iii) Clarification of the role of environmental mycobacteria in interference with vaccine responses to M. bovis: This issue needs to be resolved to determine whether or not vaccines need to be designed to circumvent such interference. (iv) Investigation of cytokine expression in DNA vaccines as a means of enhancing vaccine efficacy: Selected cytokines have the potential to bias the immune responses induced by DNA vaccines towards those responses that are required for immunity. The requirements defined in the MAFF Animal Health and Welfare Research Requirements Document that relate to developing improved strategies to reduce herd breakdown and which are addressed in our proposal are as follows. (A) Investigate currently available vaccine candidates, namely BCG, (C) Develop a vaccine based on the antigenic elements of M. bovis, (D) Investigate the immune response of cattle to M. bovis with the aim of identifying protective antigens, and (E) Investigate the immune mechanisms involved in resistance to infection via the respiratory route.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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