Renick Wiltshire | 2025 I.S. Symposium

Name: Renick Wiltshire
Title: Investigating the Efficacy of a Bovine Adenovirus Vector-Based Vaccine in Poultry Challenged with Avian Influenza Virus
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Advisor: Annastassia Gallo

Avian influenza viruses are dangerous RNA viruses that have shown pandemic potential. Commonly, inactivated and live-attenuated vaccines have been used to protect and treat human and livestock populations. However, with recent developments in molecular biology, recombinant vector vaccines have become a promising option. Here we have tested a bovine adenovirus vector vaccine (BAdV-AIV) through three mucosal routes on broiler chickens challenged with H5N2 and compared them to H5N2-challenged broiler chickens who did not receive a vaccine. In contrast to the non-vaccinated chickens, where CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells were stimulated, the mucosally administered BAdV-AIV vaccine elicited an increase in CD4+ and a significant increase in CD8+ T-cells. In addition, CD3+ TCR-γδ+ populations significantly increased in the vaccinated chickens, however, B-cell populations either decreased or significantly decreased in every vaccination route. The strong T-cell response indicates the production of a strong cellular immune response. Although B-cell population levels decreased, the vaccine still generated a protective humoral immune response with a strong CD3+ TCR-γδ+ response and virus-specific antibodies. Overall, the BAdV-AIV vaccine was able to produce both a strong humoral and cellular response in broiler chickens and could be a promising viral vector vaccine candidate for both poultry and human vaccine studies in the future.

Posted in Symposium 2025 on May 1, 2025.