The following information is now available on all species pages :

Tables of Molecules targeted by species for reagent generation

Progress button with current progress to date for all species
Gene sequence and alignment files button with nucleotide sequences and alignments for all currently amplified cytokine and chemokine genes.
Primers button listing primer pairs utilized in amplification of confirmed gene sequences.
Bioassays button with proposed bioassays which will be utilized in determining bioactivity of produced proteins prior to immunizations.
References for genes and bioassays button with detailed current publications for both proposed bioassays and targeted gene sequences by species.
Species specific commercially available reagents button listing current reagents for each species generated by individual coordinators.

The buttons below provide information about available reagents from US VIRN project directors (Kingfisher Biotech, Inc) and sister European initiatives (The Immunological Toolbox).

Plasmids containing any of the expressed gene sequences for CYTOKINES OR CHEMOKINES OF CATFISH, CATTLE, CHICKEN, HORSE, PIG, or TROUT that were generated by the US Veterinary Immune Reagent Network are available for distribution. Most genes have the complete coding sequence with leader/signal sequence. Catfish genes are available from Dr. Melanie Wilson by email request to mwilson@microbio.umsmed.edu. Bovine, equine, and swine genes are available from Mr. Ted Hudgens by email request to tdhudgens@gmail.com. Chicken genes are available from Dr. Hyun Lillehoj by email request to Hyun.Lillehoj@ars.usda.gov.Trout genes are available from Dr. John Hansen by email request to jdh25@u.washington.edu.

Project Description

A major obstacle to advances in veterinary immunology and disease control is the lack of sufficient immunological reagents specific for ruminants, swine, poultry, equine, and aquaculture species. Sets of reagents, that is monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and polyclonal antibodies, that identify the major leukocyte subpopulations (T and B lymphocytes, NK cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils) are needed. In addition, it is crucial to have recombinant cytokines and chemokines as well as antibodies to them and their receptors to understand their contributions to inflammation and protective immunity.

Reagents to identify immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes (classes) are needed since antibody isotypes differ from one another functionally and thus with regard to their effect on disease outcome. The reagents produced will include bioactive recombinant cytokines and chemokine proteins expressed using mammalian cells, Pichia pastoris or E. coli systems, as well as antibodies and mAb to them, their receptors, as well as mAb to Ig isotypes, T cell receptors (TCR), Toll like receptors (TLR), and other CD molecules.

These reagents will be used to: (1) evaluate changes during disease and following vaccination and
(2) give scientests the aility to manipulate these cell populations to evaluate their roles in protective immunity as well as in immunopathology.

Development of the above reagents will address the USDA-CSREES National Research Initiative goal of enhancing the safety of the Nation's agriculture and food supply by aiding in the development of vaccines. This presents a broad community plan to begin to systematically address the immunological reagent gap for the U.S. veterinary immunology research community including for the following groups: ruminants (concentrating on cattle primarily, but also evaluating sheep), swine, poultry (primarily chickens with some evaluation of reagents for turkeys), horses, and aquaculture species (concentrating on channel catfish and salmonoid trout, two of the principal economically important species). The goal is to develop 20 reagents per species group minimally, including antibodies that function in ELISA and ELISpot assays, for intracellular staining, for blocking function and signalling, and that are useful in flow cytometric applications, as well as in fixed tissue sections. Products developed in this proposal will benefit a large group of researchers, including veterinary immunologists, pathologists, and microbiologists.

The effort includes a large panel of collaborators, consultants, and advisory board members in addition to the Project Directors. Furthermore, the effort is being coordinated with other international efforts and the Advisory Board includes individuals involved in similar projects in U.K., France, The Netherlands, and Australia.

This project is funded by USDA-CSREES proposal 2005-01812.

Project Funding

Peter Johnson, DVM, Ph.D.
National Program Leader (Animal Health)
USDA-CSREES-Competitive Programs
800 9th St., SW; Rm. 2418; Washington, DC 20024
Phone: 202-401-1896
Fax: 202-205-3641
pjohnson@csrees.usda.gov
http://www.csrees.usda.gov

In order from left to right:
Dr. Joan Lunney, Dr. Peter Johnson, Dr. Bettina Wagner, Dr. Cyril Gay, Dr. Cyntha Baldwin, Dr. Calvin Keeler, Ms. Joanna LaBresh, Dr. David Horohov, Dr. Norman Miller, Dr. John Hansen.

Click here for the poster presented at the Conference for Research Workers in Animal Disease, Chicago, Illinois, December 6-8, 2008: 'US Veterinary Immune Reagent Network-- Progress report for all species'..

Previous posters: IVVDC (2006) , AGAH (2007), 8IVIS (2007).

Last updated: March 2009.