Attenuated Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) Vaccination Induces Protective Humoral and Cellular Immunity Against...

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Immunology
• Virology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Occupational exposure to infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) may induce cross-reactivity with other coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2.
• Poultry farm workers exposed to IBV vaccines show potential for cross-reactive immunity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the immune response to the IBV H120 Mass-I vaccine.
• To evaluate its cross-neutralizing capacity against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• To assess its potential as a protective agent against SARS-CoV-2.

Main Methods:

• Bioinformatics analysis, serological assays, and neutralization tests on poultry worker serum.
• Mouse immunization assays and flow cytometry to characterize immune responses.
• Histological analysis of lungs in Syrian hamsters challenged with SARS-CoV-2 variants post-vaccination.

Main Results:

• Anti-IBV-H120 antibodies in poultry workers showed cross-reactivity with SARS-CoV-2.
• Intranasal and oral administration routes were most effective in mice against SARS-CoV-2.
• IBV-H120 vaccination increased CD19+ cells and reduced lung damage in hamsters challenged with SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan and Delta variants.

Conclusions:

• The IBV-H120 vaccine elicits humoral and cellular immune responses.
• Intranasal IBV-H120 vaccination demonstrates protective potential against SARS-CoV-2 variants.
• IBV-H120 may serve as an improved vaccine candidate for controlling SARS-CoV-2.