Recombinant Chicken Immunoglobulin Y Antigen Polypeptide

Infections with immunosuppressive pigeon circovirus (PiCV) pose the most severe health problem to the global pigeon breeding. The vaccination with immunogenic PiCV recombinant capsid protein (PiCV rCP) is a potential tool for disease control. Because of the high prevalence of PiCV asymptomatic infections, the subclinically infected pigeons will be vaccinated in practice. The aim of this study was to answer a question if vaccination of asymptomatic, infected with PiCV pigeons induces a similar immune response to PiCV rCP as in uninfected birds. One hundred and twenty 6-week-old carrier pigeons were divided into 4 groups (2 groups of naturally infected and uninfected with PiCV individuals). Birds from groups V and V1 were vaccinated twice with PiCV rCP mixed with an adjuvant, whereas pigeons from groups C and C1 were immunized with an adjuvant only. The expression of genes encoding IFN-gamma., CD4, and CD8 T lymphocyte receptors; the number of anti-PiCV rCP IgY-secreting B cells (SBC) and anti-PiCV rCP IgY were evaluated 2, 21, 39 and 46 days post vaccination (dpv). Study results showed that the expression of CD8 and IFN-gamma. genes was higher in both groups of infected pigeons than in the uninfected birds, irrespective of vaccination. In the uninfected birds, the expression of these genes was insignificantly higher in the vaccinated pigeons. The anti-PiCV rCP IgY-SBC were detected on 2 and 23 dpv and seroconversion was noted on 23 and 39 dpv in V and V1 groups, respectively. In the light of the results obtained, it could be concluded that pigeon circovirus recombinant capsid protein elicits the immune response in both naturally infected and uninfected pigeons, but its rate varies depending on PiCV infectious status. The infection with PiCV masks the potential cellular immune response to the vaccination with PiCV rCP and leads to the suppression of humoral immunity.

This paper explores the innovation experiences and challenges from three satellite programs and one missile program in the 1950s. Project Vanguard, with Milton "Milt" W. Rosen of the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) serving as Technical Director, launched three satellites during the International Geophysical Year (IGY, 1957-1958). Dr. James Van Allen and his team of graduate students at the University of Iowa developed satellite instruments in record time leading to the launch of Explorer I and the later discovery of the Van Allen radiation belts. Dr. William "Bill" McLean led a team at the Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS) at China Lake, California that developed the Sidewinder air-to-air missile from 1947-1956, and in 1958 made six attempts to launch a satellite called NOTSNIK.