This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.
Bjarne Vermeire; Liara M. Gonzalez; Robert J. J. Jansens; Eric Cox; Bert Devriendt. Correction to: Porcine small intestinal organoids as a model to explore ETEC–host interactions in the gut. Veterinary Research 2021, 52, 1 .
AMA StyleBjarne Vermeire, Liara M. Gonzalez, Robert J. J. Jansens, Eric Cox, Bert Devriendt. Correction to: Porcine small intestinal organoids as a model to explore ETEC–host interactions in the gut. Veterinary Research. 2021; 52 (1):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBjarne Vermeire; Liara M. Gonzalez; Robert J. J. Jansens; Eric Cox; Bert Devriendt. 2021. "Correction to: Porcine small intestinal organoids as a model to explore ETEC–host interactions in the gut." Veterinary Research 52, no. 1: 1.
Small intestinal organoids, or enteroids, represent a valuable model to study host–pathogen interactions at the intestinal epithelial surface. Much research has been done on murine and human enteroids, however only a handful studies evaluated the development of enteroids in other species. Porcine enteroid cultures have been described, but little is known about their functional responses to specific pathogens or their associated virulence factors. Here, we report that porcine enteroids respond in a similar manner as in vivo gut tissues to enterotoxins derived from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, an enteric pathogen causing postweaning diarrhoea in piglets. Upon enterotoxin stimulation, these enteroids not only display a dysregulated electrolyte and water balance as shown by their swelling, but also secrete inflammation markers. Porcine enteroids grown as a 2D-monolayer supported the adhesion of an F4+ ETEC strain. Hence, these enteroids closely mimic in vivo intestinal epithelial responses to gut pathogens and are a promising model to study host–pathogen interactions in the pig gut. Insights obtained with this model might accelerate the design of veterinary therapeutics aimed at improving gut health.
Bjarne Vermeire; Liara M. Gonzalez; Robert J. J. Jansens; Eric Cox; Bert Devriendt. Porcine small intestinal organoids as a model to explore ETEC–host interactions in the gut. Veterinary Research 2021, 52, 1 -12.
AMA StyleBjarne Vermeire, Liara M. Gonzalez, Robert J. J. Jansens, Eric Cox, Bert Devriendt. Porcine small intestinal organoids as a model to explore ETEC–host interactions in the gut. Veterinary Research. 2021; 52 (1):1-12.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBjarne Vermeire; Liara M. Gonzalez; Robert J. J. Jansens; Eric Cox; Bert Devriendt. 2021. "Porcine small intestinal organoids as a model to explore ETEC–host interactions in the gut." Veterinary Research 52, no. 1: 1-12.
Beta-glucans are naturally occurring polysaccharides present in cell walls of fungi, yeast, bacteria, cereals, seaweed, and algae. These microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) possess immunomodulatory properties. In human, it has been suggested that NK cells can be activated by β-glucans. Here, we aimed to elucidate whether β-glucans modulate porcine NK cell responses in vitro and if so, how these effects are mediated. We investigated the effect of two β-glucans, Macrogard and Curdlan, which differ in solubility and structure. Direct addition of β-glucans to purified porcine NK cells did not affect cytotoxicity of these cells against K562 target cells. However, when using PBMC instead of purified NK cells, β-glucan addition significantly increased NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity. This effect depended on factors secreted by CD14+ monocytes upon β-glucan priming. Further analysis showed that monocytes secrete TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 upon β-glucan addition. Of these, IL-10 turned out to play a critical role in β-glucan-triggered NK cell cytotoxicity, since depletion of IL-10 completely abrogated the β-glucan-induced increase in cytotoxicity. Furthermore, addition of recombinant IL-10 to purified NK cells was sufficient to enhance cytotoxicity. In conclusion, we show that β-glucans trigger IL-10 secretion by porcine monocytes, which in turn leads to increased NK cell cytotoxicity, and thereby identify IL-10 as a potent stimulus of porcine NK cell cytotoxicity.
Leen Hermans; Steffi De Pelsmaeker; Sofie Denaeghel; Eric Cox; Herman W. Favoreel; Bert Devriendt. β-Glucan-Induced IL-10 Secretion by Monocytes Triggers Porcine NK Cell Cytotoxicity. Frontiers in Immunology 2021, 12, 1 .
AMA StyleLeen Hermans, Steffi De Pelsmaeker, Sofie Denaeghel, Eric Cox, Herman W. Favoreel, Bert Devriendt. β-Glucan-Induced IL-10 Secretion by Monocytes Triggers Porcine NK Cell Cytotoxicity. Frontiers in Immunology. 2021; 12 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeen Hermans; Steffi De Pelsmaeker; Sofie Denaeghel; Eric Cox; Herman W. Favoreel; Bert Devriendt. 2021. "β-Glucan-Induced IL-10 Secretion by Monocytes Triggers Porcine NK Cell Cytotoxicity." Frontiers in Immunology 12, no. : 1.
Lactoferrin is a multifunctional protein found in the secretions of mammals. The antimicrobial activity of lactoferrin was the first to be discovered and was assumed to be solely dependent on its iron-chelating ability. However, lactoferrin has been reported to display proteolytic activity towards bacterial virulence factors and to modulate the host defence by stimulating the immune system and balancing pathogen-induced inflammation. Here, we review the current understandings of the antimicrobial effect, interaction with host cells, and innate immune modulation of lactoferrin, and put forward this moonlighting protein as a possible alternative for antibiotics.
Matthias Dierick; Dr. Daisy Vanrompay; Bert Devriendt; Dr. Eric Cox. Lactoferrin, a versatile natural antimicrobial glycoprotein that modulates the host’s innate immunity. Biochemistry and Cell Biology 2021, 99, 61 -65.
AMA StyleMatthias Dierick, Dr. Daisy Vanrompay, Bert Devriendt, Dr. Eric Cox. Lactoferrin, a versatile natural antimicrobial glycoprotein that modulates the host’s innate immunity. Biochemistry and Cell Biology. 2021; 99 (1):61-65.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMatthias Dierick; Dr. Daisy Vanrompay; Bert Devriendt; Dr. Eric Cox. 2021. "Lactoferrin, a versatile natural antimicrobial glycoprotein that modulates the host’s innate immunity." Biochemistry and Cell Biology 99, no. 1: 61-65.
Many pathogens invade the host at the intestinal surface. To protect against these enteropathogens, the induction of intestinal secretory IgA (SIgA) responses is paramount. While systemic vaccination provides strong systemic immune responses, oral vaccination is the most efficient way to trigger protective SIgA responses. However, the development of oral vaccines, especially oral subunit vaccines, is challenging due to mechanisms inherent to the gut. Oral vaccines need to survive the harsh environment in the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by low pH and intestinal proteases and need to reach the gut-associated lymphoid tissues, which are protected by chemical and physical barriers that prevent efficient uptake. Furthermore, they need to surmount default tolerogenic responses present in the gut, resulting in suppression of immunity or tolerance. Several strategies have been developed to tackle these hurdles, such as delivery systems that protect vaccine antigens from degradation, strong mucosal adjuvants that induce robust immune responses and targeting approaches that aim to selectively deliver vaccine antigens towards specific immune cell populations. In this review, we discuss recent advances in oral vaccine design to enable the induction of robust gut immunity and highlight that the development of next generation oral subunit vaccines will require approaches that combines these solutions.
Hans Van Der Weken; Eric Cox; Bert Devriendt. Advances in Oral Subunit Vaccine Design. Vaccines 2020, 9, 1 .
AMA StyleHans Van Der Weken, Eric Cox, Bert Devriendt. Advances in Oral Subunit Vaccine Design. Vaccines. 2020; 9 (1):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHans Van Der Weken; Eric Cox; Bert Devriendt. 2020. "Advances in Oral Subunit Vaccine Design." Vaccines 9, no. 1: 1.
Enterotoxigenic E. coli strains are a major health concern. Enterotoxins secreted by enterotoxigenic E. coli are crucial for diarrhea induction. Enterotoxin secretion levels differ between strains; however, it is currently unclear what drives these differences. The discrepancy in the production and secretion capacities of enterotoxins in ETEC is important to clarify their function involved in diarrhea induction. Our results further deepen our understanding of how type II secretion system (T2SS) components of ETEC control enterotoxin secretion levels and may lay the foundation for a better understanding of ETEC molecular pathogenesis.
Haixiu Wang; Raquel Sanz Garcia; Eric Cox; Bert Devriendt. Porcine Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Strains Differ in Their Capacity To Secrete Enterotoxins through Varying YghG Levels. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 2020, 86, 1 .
AMA StyleHaixiu Wang, Raquel Sanz Garcia, Eric Cox, Bert Devriendt. Porcine Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Strains Differ in Their Capacity To Secrete Enterotoxins through Varying YghG Levels. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2020; 86 (24):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHaixiu Wang; Raquel Sanz Garcia; Eric Cox; Bert Devriendt. 2020. "Porcine Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli Strains Differ in Their Capacity To Secrete Enterotoxins through Varying YghG Levels." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 86, no. 24: 1.
Currently, postweaning F4 + and F18 + Escherichia coli infections in piglets are controlled by the use of antibiotics and zinc oxide, but the use of these antimicrobial agents most likely contributes to an increase in antibiotic resistance. Our work demonstrates that bovine and porcine lactoferrin can inhibit the growth of porcine enterotoxigenic E. coli strains. In addition, we also show that lactoferrin can reduce the adherence of these strains to small intestinal epithelial cells, even at a concentration that does not inhibit bacterial growth. This research could allow us to develop lactoferrin as an alternative strategy to prevent enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) infections in piglets.
Matthias Dierick; Hans Van der Weken; Joanna Rybarczyk; Daisy Vanrompay; Bert Devriendt; Eric Cox. Porcine and Bovine Forms of Lactoferrin Inhibit Growth of Porcine Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Degrade Its Virulence Factors. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 2020, 86, 1 .
AMA StyleMatthias Dierick, Hans Van der Weken, Joanna Rybarczyk, Daisy Vanrompay, Bert Devriendt, Eric Cox. Porcine and Bovine Forms of Lactoferrin Inhibit Growth of Porcine Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Degrade Its Virulence Factors. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2020; 86 (24):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMatthias Dierick; Hans Van der Weken; Joanna Rybarczyk; Daisy Vanrompay; Bert Devriendt; Eric Cox. 2020. "Porcine and Bovine Forms of Lactoferrin Inhibit Growth of Porcine Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Degrade Its Virulence Factors." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 86, no. 24: 1.
The third E. coli and the Mucosal Immune System (ECMIS) meeting was held at Ghent University in Belgium from 2 to 5 June 2019. It brought together an international group of scientists interested in mechanisms of colonization, host response, and vaccine development. ECMIS distinguishes itself from related meetings on these enteropathogens by providing a greater emphasis on animal health and disease and covering a broad range of pathotypes, including enterohemorrhagic, enteropathogenic, enterotoxigenic, enteroaggregative, and extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli .
Eric Cox; Meryem Aloulou; James M. Fleckenstein; Christina Schäffer; Åsa Sjöling; Stephanie Schüller; Kurt Hanevik; Bert Devriendt; Weiping Zhang; Ann-Mari Svennerholm; Edward G. Dudley. The Intriguing Interaction of Escherichia coli with the Host Environment and Innovative Strategies To Interfere with Colonization: a Summary of the 2019 E. coli and the Mucosal Immune System Meeting. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 2020, 86, 1 .
AMA StyleEric Cox, Meryem Aloulou, James M. Fleckenstein, Christina Schäffer, Åsa Sjöling, Stephanie Schüller, Kurt Hanevik, Bert Devriendt, Weiping Zhang, Ann-Mari Svennerholm, Edward G. Dudley. The Intriguing Interaction of Escherichia coli with the Host Environment and Innovative Strategies To Interfere with Colonization: a Summary of the 2019 E. coli and the Mucosal Immune System Meeting. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2020; 86 (24):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEric Cox; Meryem Aloulou; James M. Fleckenstein; Christina Schäffer; Åsa Sjöling; Stephanie Schüller; Kurt Hanevik; Bert Devriendt; Weiping Zhang; Ann-Mari Svennerholm; Edward G. Dudley. 2020. "The Intriguing Interaction of Escherichia coli with the Host Environment and Innovative Strategies To Interfere with Colonization: a Summary of the 2019 E. coli and the Mucosal Immune System Meeting." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 86, no. 24: 1.
The current study was designed to evaluate the pathogenesis, pathology and immune response of female genital tract infection with Chlamydia trachomatis L2c, the most recently discovered lymphogranuloma venereum strain, using a porcine model of sexually transmitted infections. Pigs were mock infected, infected once or infected and re-infected intravaginally, and samples were obtained for chlamydial culture, gross and microscopic pathology, and humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Intravaginal inoculation of pigs with this bacterium resulted in an infection that was confined to the urogenital tract, where inflammation and pathology were caused that resembled what is seen in human infection. Re-infection resulted in more severe gross pathology than primary infection, and chlamydial colonization of the urogenital tract was similar for primary infected and re-infected pigs. This indicates that primary infection failed to induce protective immune responses against re-infection. Indeed, the proliferative responses of mononuclear cells from blood and lymphoid tissues to C. trachomatis strain L2c were never statistically different among groups, suggesting that C. trachomatis-specific lymphocytes were not generated following infection or re-infection. Nevertheless, anti-chlamydial antibodies were elicited in sera and vaginal secretions after primary infection and re-infection, clearly resulting in a secondary systemic and mucosal antibody response. While primary infection did not protect against reinfection, the porcine model is relevant for evaluating immune and pathogenic responses for emerging and known C. trachomatis strains to advance drug and/or vaccine development in humans.
Evelien De Clercq; Matthias Van Gils; Katelijn Schautteet; Bert Devriendt; Celien Kiekens; Koen Chiers; Wim Van Den Broeck; Eric Cox; Deborah Dean; Daisy Vanrompay. Chlamydia trachomatis L2c Infection in a Porcine Model Produced Urogenital Pathology and Failed to Induce Protective Immune Responses Against Re-Infection. Frontiers in Immunology 2020, 11, 555305 .
AMA StyleEvelien De Clercq, Matthias Van Gils, Katelijn Schautteet, Bert Devriendt, Celien Kiekens, Koen Chiers, Wim Van Den Broeck, Eric Cox, Deborah Dean, Daisy Vanrompay. Chlamydia trachomatis L2c Infection in a Porcine Model Produced Urogenital Pathology and Failed to Induce Protective Immune Responses Against Re-Infection. Frontiers in Immunology. 2020; 11 ():555305.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEvelien De Clercq; Matthias Van Gils; Katelijn Schautteet; Bert Devriendt; Celien Kiekens; Koen Chiers; Wim Van Den Broeck; Eric Cox; Deborah Dean; Daisy Vanrompay. 2020. "Chlamydia trachomatis L2c Infection in a Porcine Model Produced Urogenital Pathology and Failed to Induce Protective Immune Responses Against Re-Infection." Frontiers in Immunology 11, no. : 555305.
Application of allergens onto the sublingual epithelium is used to desensitize allergic individuals, a treatment known as sublingual immunotherapy. However, the response of sublingual epithelial cells to house dust mite allergen and potential tolerance-promoting adjuvants such as Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands and calcitriol has not been investigated. In order to study this, primary sublingual epithelial cells were isolated from dogs and cultured in vitro. After 24-h incubation with a Dermatophagoides farinae extract, a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract, TLR2 ligands (FSL-1, heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes, Pam3CSK4), a TLR3 ligand (poly I:C), a TLR4 ligand [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)], and calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3), viability of the cells was analyzed using an MTT test, and their secretion of interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-10, CXCL8, and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, to evaluate its potential effect as an adjuvant, sublingual epithelial cells were incubated with calcitriol in combination with a D. farinae extract followed by measurement of CXCL8 secretion. Furthermore, the effect of D. farinae and calcitriol on the transcriptome was assessed by RNA sequencing. The viability of the sublingual epithelial cells was significantly decreased by poly I:C, but not by the other stimuli. CXCL8 secretion was significantly increased by D. farinae extract and all TLR ligands apart from LPS. Calcitriol significantly decreased CXCL8 secretion, and coadministration with D. farinae extract reduced CXCL8 concentrations to levels seen in unstimulated sublingual epithelial cells. Although detectable, TGF-β1 secretion could not be modulated by any of the stimuli. Interleukin 6 and IL-10 could not be detected at the protein or at the mRNA level. It can be concluded that a D. farinae extract and TLR ligands augment the secretion of the proinflammatory chemokine CXCL8, which might interfere with sublingual desensitization. On the other hand, CXCL8 secretion was reduced by coapplication of calcitriol and a D. farinae extract. Calcitriol therefore seems to be a suitable candidate to be used as adjuvant during sublingual immunotherapy.
Michael Pelst; Clara Höbart; Charlotte Wallaeys; Hilde De Rooster; Yannick Gansemans; Filip Van Nieuwerburgh; Bert Devriendt; Eric Cox. Adjuvanting Allergen Extracts for Sublingual Immunotherapy: Calcitriol Downregulates CXCL8 Production in Primary Sublingual Epithelial Cells. Frontiers in Immunology 2020, 11, 1 .
AMA StyleMichael Pelst, Clara Höbart, Charlotte Wallaeys, Hilde De Rooster, Yannick Gansemans, Filip Van Nieuwerburgh, Bert Devriendt, Eric Cox. Adjuvanting Allergen Extracts for Sublingual Immunotherapy: Calcitriol Downregulates CXCL8 Production in Primary Sublingual Epithelial Cells. Frontiers in Immunology. 2020; 11 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMichael Pelst; Clara Höbart; Charlotte Wallaeys; Hilde De Rooster; Yannick Gansemans; Filip Van Nieuwerburgh; Bert Devriendt; Eric Cox. 2020. "Adjuvanting Allergen Extracts for Sublingual Immunotherapy: Calcitriol Downregulates CXCL8 Production in Primary Sublingual Epithelial Cells." Frontiers in Immunology 11, no. : 1.
β-Glucans have long been used as an immunostimulant in aquaculture. However, the relationship of its structure to its immunomodulatory properties are poorly understood. In this study, the particle size and chemical structure of β-glucans extracted from wild-type strain of baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and its null-mutant yeasts Gas1 were characterised. Using Sigma β-glucan as a reference, the immunomodulatory properties of these polysaccharides in the germ-free Artemia franciscana model system in the presence of Vibrio harveyi bacterial challenge were investigated. The survival of the A. franciscana nauplii, upon challenge with V. harveyi, was significantly higher in all three glucan-treated groups compared to the control. The glucan Gas1 with a lower degree of branching and shorter side chain length had the most prominent V. harveyi-protective effects. The particle size did not affect the nauplii survival when challenged with V. harveyi. Results also showed that the salutary effect of the tested glucans was associated with the upregulation of innate immune genes such as lipopolysaccharide and β-1,3-glucan-binding protein (lgbp), high mobility group box protein (hmgb), and prophenoloxidase (proPO). Interestingly, the up-regulation of superoxidase dismutase (sod) and glutathione-s-transferase (gst) was only observed in Gas1 treated group, indicating that Gas1 could function to induce higher reactive oxygen species and stronger immunomodulatory function in A. franciscana, and therefore higher survival rate. The expression of heat shock protein 70 (hsp70), peroxinectin (pxn), and down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (dscam) remain unaltered in response to glucan treatment. Taken together, this study provides insights into the structure-function relationship of β-glucan and the results confirmed that β-glucan can be an effective immunostimulant in aquaculture, especially the Gas1 glucan.
Biao Han; Kartik Baruah; Dung Viet Nguyen; David L. Williams; Bert Devriendt; Eric Cox; Peter Bossier. Beta-glucan's varying structure characteristics modulate survival and immune-related genes expression from Vibrio harveyi-infected Artemia franciscana in gnotobiotic conditions. Fish & Shellfish Immunology 2020, 102, 307 -315.
AMA StyleBiao Han, Kartik Baruah, Dung Viet Nguyen, David L. Williams, Bert Devriendt, Eric Cox, Peter Bossier. Beta-glucan's varying structure characteristics modulate survival and immune-related genes expression from Vibrio harveyi-infected Artemia franciscana in gnotobiotic conditions. Fish & Shellfish Immunology. 2020; 102 ():307-315.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBiao Han; Kartik Baruah; Dung Viet Nguyen; David L. Williams; Bert Devriendt; Eric Cox; Peter Bossier. 2020. "Beta-glucan's varying structure characteristics modulate survival and immune-related genes expression from Vibrio harveyi-infected Artemia franciscana in gnotobiotic conditions." Fish & Shellfish Immunology 102, no. : 307-315.
Natural compounds offer a wide spectrum of potential active substances, but often they have a poor bioavailability. To increase the bioavailability and bioactivity of the natural anti-inflammatory molecules curcumin and diplacone, we used glucan particles (GPs), hollow shells from Saccharomyces cerevisiae composed mainly of β-1,3-d-glucan. Their indigestibility and relative stability in the gut combined with their immunomodulatory effects makes them promising carriers for such compounds. This study aimed to determine how curcumin and diplacone, either alone or incorporated in GPs, affect the immunomodulatory activity of the latter by assessing the respiratory burst response and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by primary porcine innate immune cells. Incorporating curcumin and diplacone into GPs by controlled evaporation of the organic solvent substantially reduced the respiratory burst response mediated by GPs. Incorporated curcumin in GPs also reduced GPs mediated secretion of IL-1β and TNF-α by innate immune cells. The obtained results indicate a potentially beneficial effect of the incorporation of curcumin or diplacone into GPs against inflammation.
Dominik Rotrekl; Bert Devriendt; Eric Cox; Lenka Kavanová; Martin Faldyna; Petra Šalamúnová; Zuzana Baďo; Vadym Prokopec; František Štěpánek; Jaroslav Hanuš; Jan Hošek. Glucan particles as suitable carriers for the natural anti-inflammatory compounds curcumin and diplacone – Evaluation in an ex vivo model. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 2020, 582, 119318 .
AMA StyleDominik Rotrekl, Bert Devriendt, Eric Cox, Lenka Kavanová, Martin Faldyna, Petra Šalamúnová, Zuzana Baďo, Vadym Prokopec, František Štěpánek, Jaroslav Hanuš, Jan Hošek. Glucan particles as suitable carriers for the natural anti-inflammatory compounds curcumin and diplacone – Evaluation in an ex vivo model. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2020; 582 ():119318.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDominik Rotrekl; Bert Devriendt; Eric Cox; Lenka Kavanová; Martin Faldyna; Petra Šalamúnová; Zuzana Baďo; Vadym Prokopec; František Štěpánek; Jaroslav Hanuš; Jan Hošek. 2020. "Glucan particles as suitable carriers for the natural anti-inflammatory compounds curcumin and diplacone – Evaluation in an ex vivo model." International Journal of Pharmaceutics 582, no. : 119318.
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite, able to infect all homeothermic animals mostly through ingestion of (oo)cysts contaminated food or water. Recently, we observed a T. gondii strain-specific clearance from tissues upon infection in pigs: while the swine-adapted LR strain persisted in porcine tissues, a subsequent infection with the human-isolated Gangji strain cleared parasites from several tissues. We hypothesized that intestinal immune responses shortly after infection might play a role in this strain-specific clearance. To assess this possibility, the parasite load in small intestinal lymph node cells and blood immune cells as well as the IFNγ secretion by these cells were evaluated at 2, 4, 8, 14, and 28 days post oral inoculation of pigs with tissue cysts of both strains. Interestingly, at day 4 post inoculation with the LR strain the parasite was detected by qPCR only in the duodenal lymph node cells, while in the jejunal and ileal lymph node cells and PBMCs the parasite was detected from day 8 post inoculation onwards. Although we observed a similar profile upon inoculation with the Gangji strain, the parasite load in the examined cells was much lower. This was reflected in a significantly higher T. gondii-specific serum IgG response in LR compared to Gangji infected pigs at day 28 post inoculation. Unexpectedly, this was not reflected in the IFNγ secretion upon re-stimulation of the cells where almost equal IFNγ secretion was observed in both groups. In conclusion, our results show that T. gondii first enters the host at the duodenum and then probably disseminates from this site to the other tissues. How the early immune response influences the clearance of parasite from tissues needs further study.
Mizanur Rahman; Bert Devriendt; Malgorzata Jennes; Ignacio Gisbert Algaba; Pierre Dorny; Katelijne Dierick; Stéphane De Craeye; Eric Cox. Early Kinetics of Intestinal Infection and Immune Responses to Two Toxoplasma gondii Strains in Pigs. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 2020, 10, 161 .
AMA StyleMizanur Rahman, Bert Devriendt, Malgorzata Jennes, Ignacio Gisbert Algaba, Pierre Dorny, Katelijne Dierick, Stéphane De Craeye, Eric Cox. Early Kinetics of Intestinal Infection and Immune Responses to Two Toxoplasma gondii Strains in Pigs. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 2020; 10 ():161.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMizanur Rahman; Bert Devriendt; Malgorzata Jennes; Ignacio Gisbert Algaba; Pierre Dorny; Katelijne Dierick; Stéphane De Craeye; Eric Cox. 2020. "Early Kinetics of Intestinal Infection and Immune Responses to Two Toxoplasma gondii Strains in Pigs." Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 10, no. : 161.
Under the present intensive rearing conditions, calves face a series of stressors and multiple pathogens often necessitating antimicrobial use. Multiple feed additives are currently explored for their ability to prevent disease and limit the use of antimicrobials. Supplementation of the polyunsaturated long chain n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docohexaenoic (DHA) from marine origin has been proposed as a strategy to improve immune function and prevent excessive inflammation reactions. The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to explore the effects of n-3 fatty acids (PUFA) used as feed supplement on health, production and immune variables in a veal calf setting. One hundred-seventy calves were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups: microalgae (MA, n = 57, 2.5 g DHA/animal/day), fish-oil (FO, n = 57, 2.5 g EPA + DHA/animal/day)] and a control group (CON, n = 56). Average daily gain (ADG), bodyweight at 12 weeks on feed and slaughter weight were determined. Health monitoring consisted of recording of clinical signs and repeated thoracic ultrasonography. After 5, 8 and 11 weeks of supplementation, the function of neutrophils, monocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was evaluated ex vivo by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by neutrophils and monocytes and proliferation of and cytokine release by PBMCs. Under the field conditions of this study, dietary supplementation of MA and FO showed very limited immunomodulatory effects. Feeding MA led to increased ROS production by neutrophils, Estimate (E) = 0.38, Standard Error (SE) = 0.14; P < 0.05, compared to the control calves after 5 weeks of in-feed supplementation. FO reduced IL-6 secretion E=-0.29, SE=0.11; P < 0.05 compared to MA treated animals after 11 weeks on feed. Health and production variables were unaffected by treatments. The doses of EPA and DHA used in this study did not cause immunomodulatory changes in highly stressed calves to such an extent that this led to better health or growth of animals.
Christien Masmeijer; Katharina van Leenen; Lieze De Cremer; Piet Deprez; Eric Cox; Bert Devriendt; Bart Pardon. Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on immune, health and growth variables in veal calves. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 2020, 179, 104979 .
AMA StyleChristien Masmeijer, Katharina van Leenen, Lieze De Cremer, Piet Deprez, Eric Cox, Bert Devriendt, Bart Pardon. Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on immune, health and growth variables in veal calves. Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 2020; 179 ():104979.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChristien Masmeijer; Katharina van Leenen; Lieze De Cremer; Piet Deprez; Eric Cox; Bert Devriendt; Bart Pardon. 2020. "Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on immune, health and growth variables in veal calves." Preventive Veterinary Medicine 179, no. : 104979.
In veal and dairy beef production systems, Holstein bull calves experience many stressors and excessive pathogen exposure, necessitating the use of antimicrobials for welfare and production reasons. The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to explore the effects of esterified fatty acids used as feed supplement on health, production and immune variables in veal calves. Different glycerol-esters of fatty acids were used: short chain fatty acid (SCFA)-based glycerol-mono- (C4) and tributyrate (C4), and medium chain fatty acid (MCFA)-based glycerol-monocaprylate/monocaprinate (C8/C10) and glycerol-monolaurate (C12) in two different doses. One hundred sixty eight calves (2-to 4-week-old) were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups; tributyrate (0.5 g/animal/day); monobutyrate (1 g/animal/day); low C8/C10 (7 g/animal/day) and high C8/C10 (10 g/animal/day); low C12 (4 g/animal/day) and high C12 (6 g/animal/day) and a control group (CON). Duration of in-feed supplementation was 14 weeks. Average daily gain, bodyweight at 14 weeks on feed and slaughter weight were determined. Health monitoring consisted of clinical signs and repeated thoracic ultrasonography. After 4, 8 and 12 weeks of supplementation, the function of neutrophils, monocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was evaluated ex vivo by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by neutrophils and monocytes, proliferation of and cytokine release by PBMCs. Study power was based upon ROS production by neutrophils and treatment groups were too limited to detect significant differences in growth and health variables. Glycerol-ester supplementation resulted in different effects on immune cell function, depending on the type and dose of the glycerol-ester as well as duration of supplementation. Our main findings were increased secretion of interleukin IL-17A by PBMCs at 4 weeks of feed supplementation in high C8/C10 (P< 0.01), low C12 (P < 0.01) and monobutyrate (P< 0.01) groups, combined with decreased ROS production in neutrophils (P < 0.001) and monocytes (P < 0.05) in the high C8/C10 and monocytes (P < 0.05) in low C12 groups compared to the control animals. After 12 weeks on feed, ROS production by neutrophils (P < 0.001) and monocytes (P < 0.01) of monobutyrate and by monocytes (P < 0.01) of tributyrate groups was decreased compared to control calves. In summary, supplementation of glycerol-esters of MCFAs resulted in immune-modulatory effects, which did not manifest themselves in improved health and growth of calves under the conditions and limitations of this study. Especially doses of high C8/C10 and low C12 show potential to promote an early, robust pro-inflammatory response with diminished ROS production. This might be beneficial for clearance of pathogens in young calves in periods of stress and high pathogen load.
Christien Masmeijer; Tina Rogge; Katharina van Leenen; Lieze De Cremer; Piet Deprez; Eric Cox; Bert Devriendt; Bart Pardon. Effects of glycerol-esters of saturated short- and medium chain fatty acids on immune, health and growth variables in veal calves. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 2020, 178, 104983 .
AMA StyleChristien Masmeijer, Tina Rogge, Katharina van Leenen, Lieze De Cremer, Piet Deprez, Eric Cox, Bert Devriendt, Bart Pardon. Effects of glycerol-esters of saturated short- and medium chain fatty acids on immune, health and growth variables in veal calves. Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 2020; 178 ():104983.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChristien Masmeijer; Tina Rogge; Katharina van Leenen; Lieze De Cremer; Piet Deprez; Eric Cox; Bert Devriendt; Bart Pardon. 2020. "Effects of glycerol-esters of saturated short- and medium chain fatty acids on immune, health and growth variables in veal calves." Preventive Veterinary Medicine 178, no. : 104983.
Targeting a vaccine to the mucosal surface has recently been recognized as a promising approach to efficiently induce mucosal immune responses against enteric pathogens. However, poor uptake and inefficient transport of orally delivered subunit vaccines across the intestinal epithelium combined with weak immune responses still present important bottlenecks for mucosal vaccination. A possible strategy suggested to surmount these hurdles is to target the selected antigen to transcytotic receptors, such as aminopeptidase N (APN) present on enterocytes and antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Therefore, we aimed to identify potent and selective VHHs against porcine aminopeptidase N (pAPN), that were fused to the fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain of the murine IgG2a, resulting in dimeric VHH-MG fusions. Out of a library of 30 VHH-MG fusion candidates, two fusions displaying the best binding on pAPN-expressing cells were selected and showed in vivo internalization across the porcine gut epithelium. One of these fusions triggered systemic and intestinal IgA responses upon oral administration. Our results demonstrate the potential of bivalent VHH-MG fusions as delivery vehicles for vaccine antigens. VHH-mediated targeting of antigens to APN to generate protective immunity at the mucosal surface remains to be further validated.
Shruti Bakshi; Raquel Sanz Garcia; Hans Van der Weken; Ashuwini Tharad; Shubham Pandey; Paloma Juarez; Vikram Virdi; Bert Devriendt; Eric Cox; Ann Depicker. Evaluating single-domain antibodies as carriers for targeted vaccine delivery to the small intestinal epithelium. Journal of Controlled Release 2020, 321, 416 -429.
AMA StyleShruti Bakshi, Raquel Sanz Garcia, Hans Van der Weken, Ashuwini Tharad, Shubham Pandey, Paloma Juarez, Vikram Virdi, Bert Devriendt, Eric Cox, Ann Depicker. Evaluating single-domain antibodies as carriers for targeted vaccine delivery to the small intestinal epithelium. Journal of Controlled Release. 2020; 321 ():416-429.
Chicago/Turabian StyleShruti Bakshi; Raquel Sanz Garcia; Hans Van der Weken; Ashuwini Tharad; Shubham Pandey; Paloma Juarez; Vikram Virdi; Bert Devriendt; Eric Cox; Ann Depicker. 2020. "Evaluating single-domain antibodies as carriers for targeted vaccine delivery to the small intestinal epithelium." Journal of Controlled Release 321, no. : 416-429.
New vaccine formulations that include novel strains of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and innovative adjuvants designed to induce cellular immunity could improve vaccine efficacy against this pathogen. The aim of this experimental study was to assess the efficacy of three experimental bacterin formulations based on M. hyopneumoniae field strain F7.2C which were able to induce cellular immunity. The formulations included a cationic liposome formulation with the Mincle receptor ligand trehalose 6,6-dibehenate (Lipo_DDA:TDB), a squalene-in-water emulsion with Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands targeting TLR1/2, TLR7/8 and TLR9 (SWE_TLR), and a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) micro-particle formulation with the same TLR ligands (PLGA_TLR). Four groups of 12 M. hyopneumoniae-free piglets were primo- (day (D) 0; 39 days of age) and booster vaccinated (D14) intramuscularly with either one of the three experimental bacterin formulations or PBS. The pigs were endotracheally inoculated with a highly and low virulent M. hyopneumoniae strain on D28 and D29, respectively, and euthanized on D56. The main efficacy parameters were: respiratory disease score (RDS; daily), macroscopic lung lesion score (D56) and log copies M. hyopneumoniae DNA determined with qPCR on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid (D42, D56). All formulations were able to reduce clinical symptoms, lung lesions and the M. hyopneumoniae DNA load in the lung, with formulation SWE_TLR being the most effective (RDSD28–D56 −61.90%, macroscopic lung lesions −88.38%, M. hyopneumoniae DNA load in BAL fluid (D42) −67.28%). Further experiments raised under field conditions are needed to confirm these results and to assess the effect of the vaccines on performance parameters.
Anneleen Marguerite Filip Matthijs; Gaël Auray; Filip Boyen; Alexandra Schoos; Annelies Michiels; Obdulio García-Nicolás; Güliz Tuba Barut; Christophe Barnier-Quer; Virginie Jakob; Nicolas Collin; Bert Devriendt; Artur Summerfield; Freddy Haesebrouck; Dominiek Maes. Efficacy of three innovative bacterin vaccines against experimental infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Veterinary Research 2019, 50, 1 -14.
AMA StyleAnneleen Marguerite Filip Matthijs, Gaël Auray, Filip Boyen, Alexandra Schoos, Annelies Michiels, Obdulio García-Nicolás, Güliz Tuba Barut, Christophe Barnier-Quer, Virginie Jakob, Nicolas Collin, Bert Devriendt, Artur Summerfield, Freddy Haesebrouck, Dominiek Maes. Efficacy of three innovative bacterin vaccines against experimental infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Veterinary Research. 2019; 50 (1):1-14.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAnneleen Marguerite Filip Matthijs; Gaël Auray; Filip Boyen; Alexandra Schoos; Annelies Michiels; Obdulio García-Nicolás; Güliz Tuba Barut; Christophe Barnier-Quer; Virginie Jakob; Nicolas Collin; Bert Devriendt; Artur Summerfield; Freddy Haesebrouck; Dominiek Maes. 2019. "Efficacy of three innovative bacterin vaccines against experimental infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae." Veterinary Research 50, no. 1: 1-14.
Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite of all mammals and birds, responsible for toxoplasmosis. In healthy individuals T. gondii infections mostly remain asymptomatic, however this parasite causes severe morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients and congenital toxoplasmosis in pregnant women. The consumption of raw or undercooked pork is considered as an important risk factor to develop toxoplasmosis in humans. Since effective therapeutic interventions to treat toxoplasmosis are scarce, vaccination of meat producing animals may prevent T. gondii transmission to humans. Here, we evaluated the elicited immune responses and the efficacy of a potential vaccine candidate, generated by size fractionation of T. gondii lysate proteins, to reduce the parasite burden in tissues from experimentally T. gondii infected pigs as compared to vaccination with total lysate antigens (TLA). Our results show that both the vaccine candidate and the TLA immunization elicited strong serum IgG responses and elevated percentages of CD4+CD8+IFNγ+ T cells in T. gondii infected pigs. However, the TLA vaccine induced the strongest immune response and reduced the parasite DNA load below the detection limit in brain and skeletal muscle tissue in most animals. These findings might inform the development of novel vaccines to prevent T. gondii infections in livestock species and humans.
Mizanur Rahman; Bert Devriendt; Ignacio Gisbert Algaba; Bavo Verhaegen; Pierre Dorny; Katelijne Dierick; Eric Cox. QuilA-Adjuvanted T. gondii Lysate Antigens Trigger Robust Antibody and IFNγ+ T Cell Responses in Pigs Leading to Reduction in Parasite DNA in Tissues Upon Challenge Infection. Frontiers in Immunology 2019, 10, 1 .
AMA StyleMizanur Rahman, Bert Devriendt, Ignacio Gisbert Algaba, Bavo Verhaegen, Pierre Dorny, Katelijne Dierick, Eric Cox. QuilA-Adjuvanted T. gondii Lysate Antigens Trigger Robust Antibody and IFNγ+ T Cell Responses in Pigs Leading to Reduction in Parasite DNA in Tissues Upon Challenge Infection. Frontiers in Immunology. 2019; 10 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMizanur Rahman; Bert Devriendt; Ignacio Gisbert Algaba; Bavo Verhaegen; Pierre Dorny; Katelijne Dierick; Eric Cox. 2019. "QuilA-Adjuvanted T. gondii Lysate Antigens Trigger Robust Antibody and IFNγ+ T Cell Responses in Pigs Leading to Reduction in Parasite DNA in Tissues Upon Challenge Infection." Frontiers in Immunology 10, no. : 1.
To combat emerging infectious diseases like Zika virus (ZIKV), synthetic messenger RNAs (mRNAs) encoding viral antigens are very attractive as they allow a rapid, generic, and flexible production of vaccines. In this work, we engineered a self-replicating mRNA (sr-mRNA) vaccine encoding the pre-membrane and envelope (prM-E) glycoproteins of ZIKV. Intradermal electroporation of as few as 1 µg of this mRNA-based ZIKV vaccine induced potent humoral and cellular immune responses in BALB/c and especially IFNAR1-/- C57BL/6 mice, resulting in a complete protection of the latter mice against ZIKV infection. In wild-type C57BL/6 mice, the vaccine resulted in very low seroconversion rates and antibody titers. The potency of the vaccine was inversely related to the dose of mRNA used in wild-type BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice, as robust type I interferon (IFN) response was determined in a reporter mice model (IFN-β+/Δβ-luc). We further investigated the inability of the sr-prM-E-mRNA ZIKV vaccine to raise antibodies in wild-type C57BL/6 mice and found indications that type I IFNs elicited by this naked sr-mRNA vaccine might directly impede the induction of a robust humoral response. Therefore, we assume that the efficacy of sr-mRNA vaccines after intradermal electroporation might be increased by strategies that temper their inherent innate immunogenicity.
Zifu Zhong; João Paulo Portela Catani; Séan Mc Cafferty; Liesbeth Couck; Wim Van Den Broeck; Nina Gorlé; Roosmarijn E. Vandenbroucke; Bert Devriendt; Sebastian Ulbert; Lieselotte Cnops; Johan Michels; Kevin K. Ariën; Niek N. Sanders. Immunogenicity and Protection Efficacy of a Naked Self-Replicating mRNA-Based Zika Virus Vaccine. Vaccines 2019, 7, 96 .
AMA StyleZifu Zhong, João Paulo Portela Catani, Séan Mc Cafferty, Liesbeth Couck, Wim Van Den Broeck, Nina Gorlé, Roosmarijn E. Vandenbroucke, Bert Devriendt, Sebastian Ulbert, Lieselotte Cnops, Johan Michels, Kevin K. Ariën, Niek N. Sanders. Immunogenicity and Protection Efficacy of a Naked Self-Replicating mRNA-Based Zika Virus Vaccine. Vaccines. 2019; 7 (3):96.
Chicago/Turabian StyleZifu Zhong; João Paulo Portela Catani; Séan Mc Cafferty; Liesbeth Couck; Wim Van Den Broeck; Nina Gorlé; Roosmarijn E. Vandenbroucke; Bert Devriendt; Sebastian Ulbert; Lieselotte Cnops; Johan Michels; Kevin K. Ariën; Niek N. Sanders. 2019. "Immunogenicity and Protection Efficacy of a Naked Self-Replicating mRNA-Based Zika Virus Vaccine." Vaccines 7, no. 3: 96.
The generation of robust systemic and mucosal antibody and cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses that are protective, long-lasting, and can quickly be recalled upon subsequent re-exposure to the cognate antigen is the key to the development of effective vaccine candidates. These responses, whether they represent mechanistic or non-mechanistic immunological correlates of protection, usually entail the activation of T cell memory and effector subsets (T-CMI) and induction of long-lasting memory B cells. However, for ETEC and Shigella, the precise role of these key immune cells in primary and secondary (anamnestic) immune responses remains ill-defined. A workshop to address immune correlates for ETEC and Shigella, in general, and to elucidate the mechanistic role of T-cell subsets and B-cells, both systemically and in the mucosal microenvironment, in the development of durable protective immunity against ETEC and Shigella was held at the recent 2nd Vaccines against Shigella and ETEC (VASE) conference in June 2018. This report is a summary of the presentations and the discussion that ensued at the workshop.
Sachin Mani; Franklin R. Toapanta; Monica A. McArthur; Firdausi Qadri; Ann-Mari Svennerholm; Bert Devriendt; Armelle Phalipon; Daniel Cohen; Marcelo B. Sztein. Role of antigen specific T and B cells in systemic and mucosal immune responses in ETEC and Shigella infections, and their potential to serve as correlates of protection in vaccine development. Vaccine 2019, 37, 4787 -4793.
AMA StyleSachin Mani, Franklin R. Toapanta, Monica A. McArthur, Firdausi Qadri, Ann-Mari Svennerholm, Bert Devriendt, Armelle Phalipon, Daniel Cohen, Marcelo B. Sztein. Role of antigen specific T and B cells in systemic and mucosal immune responses in ETEC and Shigella infections, and their potential to serve as correlates of protection in vaccine development. Vaccine. 2019; 37 (34):4787-4793.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSachin Mani; Franklin R. Toapanta; Monica A. McArthur; Firdausi Qadri; Ann-Mari Svennerholm; Bert Devriendt; Armelle Phalipon; Daniel Cohen; Marcelo B. Sztein. 2019. "Role of antigen specific T and B cells in systemic and mucosal immune responses in ETEC and Shigella infections, and their potential to serve as correlates of protection in vaccine development." Vaccine 37, no. 34: 4787-4793.