Comparison of immunoadjuvant activities of four bursal peptides combined with H9N2 avian influenza virus vaccine

The bursa of Fabricius (BF) is the central humoral immune organ unique to birds. The bursal peptide BPs (BP-I, BP-II, BP-III, BP-IV) were isolated and identified from BF. In this study, the immunoadjuvant activities of BP-(I-IV) were examined in mice immunized with H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) vaccines. The results suggested that BP-I effectively enhanced cell-mediated immune responses, increased the secretion of Th1 (gamma interferon [IFN-γ]) and Th2 (IL-4)-type cytokines, and induced a better cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response to the H9N2 virus. BP-II mainly elevated specific-antibody production, especially neutralizing antibodies, and increased Th1- and Th2-type cytokines secretion. BP-III had no significant effect on antibody production and cell-mediated immune responses compared to the control group. A strong immune response at both the humoral and cellular levels was induced by BP-IV. Furthermore, a virus challenge experiment and HE staining revealed that BP-I and BP-II promoted removal of the virus and conferred protection in mice lungs. BP-IV significantly reduced viral titers and histopathological changes and contributed to protection against H9N2 AIV challenge in mice lungs. This study further researched the immunoadjuvant activities of BP-(I-IV) peptides, providing a novel insight on immunoadjuvant for vaccine design.