Association of bovine DRB3 alleles with immune response to FMDV peptides and protection against viral challenge

We have analysed the influence of bovine MHC (BoLA) polymorphism on the imm une response and degree of protection induced by peptide vaccines against f oot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in cattle. The peptides used for animal immunis ation were: A (VP1(138-156)), AT (peptide A linked to VP1(21-40)) and ACT ( peptide A, linked to VP1(196-209) and VP1(21-40)). Sixteen different DRB3 t ypes were found among the 46 cattle analysed by PCR-RFLP typing. No absolut e correlation was observed, for any type, with the serum neutralising titre s (SNT) values and the protection induced. However, among the most common h aplotypes present, associations were observed between expression of differe nt types with the levels of SNT and/or protection induced by peptides A and ACT. Thus, types DRB3.2*1, 3 and 7 were associated with increased levels o f protection. In contrast, types DRB3.2*12 and 18 were associated non-prote ction, and DRB3.2*12 was also associated with low SNT titres. Overall, the results indicate that the polymorphism in BoLA class II molecules affects b oth the immune response and protection induced by potential FMD peptide vac cines. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.