Development of an intrauterine vaccination method using interferon to stimulate uterine mucosal tissues

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K08044
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Veterinary medical science
• Research Institution: Iwate University
• Principal Investigator: Hikono Hirokazu 岩手大学, 農学部, 准教授 (60355146)
• Research Collaborator: Murakami Kenji ; Takeuchi Kaoru
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: ワクチン / ウイルス / アジュバント / 感染防御 / 胎盤 / 子宮

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Vertical transmission plays an important role in animal infectious diseases by viruses such as Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) virus. However, conventional vaccination methods do not effectively prevent vertical transmission of viruses. In this study, we used BVD virus as a model to develop a novel vaccination method to prevent vertical transmission of viruses.
E2 protein, which is a protective antigen of BVD virus, was produced in Escherichia coli. Using this recombinant protein, ELISA was built to measure anti-E2 antibody. Inactivated BVD virus was injected into peritoneal or uterine cavity of mice with interferon-tau as an adjuvant to stimulate uterine mucosal tissues. However, anti-E2 antibody was not detected in serum in both groups.

Free Research Field

獣医免疫学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

家畜におけるウイルスの経胎盤感染は、しばしば流産・早産を引き起こすことにより、家畜生産の安定に大きな影響を及ぼす。本研究においては、子宮粘膜を刺激する物質と共に、ワクチンをマウスの子宮内に投与することにより、ウイルスの経胎盤感染を効果的に防ぐ新しいワクチン手法を開発することを試みた。しかし、良好な結果は得られなかった。家畜におけるウイルスの経胎盤感染を効果的に防ぐワクチン手法の開発は、家畜生産の安定に大きく寄与すると共に、ジカウイルス感染症など、人の経胎盤感染を伴う新興再興感染症に対するワクチン開発に新たな視点をもたらすことが期待できる。