Abstract: Particular aspects show that the signal peptide remains intact on the mature CD18 molecule on ruminant leukocytes rendering these cells susceptible to cytolysis by Lkt. Comparative amino acid sequence analysis of the signal peptide of CD18 of eight ruminants and five non-ruminants revealed that the ruminant CD18 signal peptides contain ‘cleavage-inhibiting’ glutamine (Q), compared to ‘cleavage-conducive’ glycine in non-ruminants, at position ?5 relative to the cleavage site. Mutagenesis of Q at position ?5 of the bovine CD18 signal peptide to G resulted in the abrogation of Lkt-mediated cytolysis of transfectants expressing bovine CD18 carrying the Q(?5)G mutation. Provided is novel technology to clone cattle and other ruminants expressing CD18 without the signal peptide on their leukocytes, providing ruminants that are less susceptible to M. haemolytica. Methods for treating conditions and/or diseases associated with M. haemolytica (e.g.

Abstract: Particular aspects show that the signal peptide remains intact on the mature CD18 molecule on ruminant leukocytes rendering these cells susceptible to cytolysis by Lkt. Comparative amino acid sequence analysis of the signal peptide of CD18 of eight ruminants and five non-ruminants revealed that the ruminant CD18 signal peptides contain ‘cleavage-inhibiting’ glutamine (Q), compared to ‘cleavage-conducive’ glycine in non-ruminants, at position ?5 relative to the cleavage site. Mutagenesis of Q at position ?5 of the bovine CD18 signal peptide to G resulted in the abrogation of Lkt-mediated cytolysis of transfectants expressing bovine CD18 carrying the Q(?5)G mutation. Provided is novel technology to clone cattle and other ruminants expressing CD18 without the signal peptide on their leukocytes, providing ruminants that are less susceptible to M. haemolytica. Methods for treating conditions and/or diseases associated with M. haemolytica (e.g.

Abstract: Particular aspects show that the signal peptide remains intact on the mature CD18 molecule on ruminant leukocytes rendering these cells susceptible to cytolysis by Lkt. Comparative amino acid sequence analysis of the signal peptide of CD18 of eight ruminants and five non-ruminants revealed that the ruminant CD18 signal peptides contain ‘cleavage-inhibiting’ glutamine (Q), compared to ‘cleavage-conducive’ glycine in non-ruminants, at position ?5 relative to the cleavage site. Mutagenesis of Q at position ?5 of the bovine CD18 signal peptide to G resulted in the abrogation of Lkt-mediated cytolysis of transfectants expressing bovine CD18 carrying the Q(?5)G mutation. Provided is novel technology to clone cattle and other ruminants expressing CD18 without the signal peptide on their leukocytes, providing ruminants that are less susceptible to M. haemolytica. Methods for treating conditions and/or diseases associated with M. haemolytica (e.g.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide novel recombinant cells and cell lines (e.g., macrophage cell lines) that are permissive for propagation of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) propagation in vitro or in vivo. In certain aspects, novel nucleic acid sequences encoding porcine sialoadhesin were transfected into existing macrophage cell-lines from other species, rendering them permissive to PRRSV infection, and suitable for propagation of PRRSV. Particular aspects provide exemplary recombinant cloned cell lines that support the replication of PRRSV, with an obtainable PRRSV titre of between 2×105/ml and 2×106/ml. Additional aspects provide novel nucleic acid sequences and polymorphisms thereof that encode for porcine sialoadhesin. Further aspects provide PRRSV propagation and preparation methods using the novel recombinant cell lines, and methods for PRRSV antigen and vaccine production using same.

Abstract: Particular aspects show that the signal peptide remains intact on the mature CD18 molecule on ruminant leukocytes rendering these cells susceptible to cytolysis by Lkt. Comparative amino acid sequence analysis of the signal peptide of CD18 of eight ruminants and five non-ruminants revealed that the ruminant CD18 signal peptides contain ‘cleavage-inhibiting’ glutamine (Q), compared to ‘cleavage-conducive’ glycine in non-ruminants, at position ?5 relative to the cleavage site. Mutagenesis of Q at position ?5 of the bovine CD18 signal peptide to G resulted in the abrogation of Lkt-mediated cytolysis of transfectants expressing bovine CD18 carrying the Q(?5)G mutation. Provided is novel technology to clone cattle and other ruminants expressing CD18 without the signal peptide on their leukocytes, providing ruminants that are less susceptible to M. haemolytica. Methods for treating conditions and/or diseases associated with M. haemolytica (e.g.

Abstract: Particular aspects provide novel recombinant cells and cell lines (e.g., macrophage cell lines) that are permissive for propagation of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) propagation in vitro or in vivo. In certain aspects, novel nucleic acid sequences encoding porcine sialoadhesin were transfected into existing macrophage cell-lines from other species, rendering them permissive to PRRSV infection, and suitable for propagation of PRRSV. Particular aspects provide exemplary recombinant cloned cell lines that support the replication of PRRSV, with an obtainable PRRSV titre of between 2×105/ml and 2×106/ml. Additional aspects provide novel nucleic acid sequences and polymorphisms thereof that encode for porcine sialoadhesin. Further aspects provide PRRSV propagation and preparation methods using the novel recombinant cell lines, and methods for PRRSV antigen and vaccine production using same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for eliciting an immune response against bovine viral epitopes. The methods comprise combining at least one heat shock protein with at least one bovine viral epitope to form a purified epitope/heat shock protein complex and administration of an immune system stimulating amount of the purified epitope/heat shock protein complex. The compositions comprise, a purified epitope/heat shock protein complex comprising at least one bovine viral epitope complexed with at least one heat shock protein, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for immunizing an animal for the production of high levels of IgA antibodies against a lung pathogen. The method comprises administering an antigen by transthoracic injection directly into the lung of the animal, the elicited antibodies having specific activity against the administered antigen and lung pathogen of interest. The invention provides a method of stimulating the production of IgA antibodies at mucosal surfaces of the lungs to increase IgA antibody titers in lung fluids and reduce the severity of the lung disease of interest.