By Scout Nelson
Researchers at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) are developing a new swine influenza vaccine that could provide better protection for hogs while allowing faster responses to newly emerging flu strains. The new technology may improve animal health and support the livestock industry by reducing disease risks.
A recent UNL study found that some traditional swine influenza vaccines may increase lung damage when pigs become infected with a flu strain that is different from the one included in the vaccine. This condition is known as vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory disease (VAERD), which can make illness more severe instead of providing protection.
To address this challenge, Hiep Vu, associate professor of animal science at UNL, created a new vaccine using lipid nanoparticles. These tiny fat-like particles deliver DNA directly into muscle cells. The animal’s cells then produce a flu protein that stimulates the immune system without using live virus.
The research, accepted for publication in npj Vaccines, compared the new DNA-based vaccine with a traditional protein-based vaccine using the same flu protein. When pigs were exposed to a different flu strain, most pigs that received the conventional vaccine developed severe lung damage. In comparison, pigs vaccinated with the DNA-based vaccine showed little or no lung damage.
"If you perform the necropsy, you're going to see more severe lung lesion," Vu said. "Sometimes the animal will have higher fever compared to the non-vaccinated animal that are exposed to the same strain of virus."
Although vaccinated pigs could still spread the virus after exposure, researchers believe the vaccine still offers important benefits. Vaccinated animals generally require greater exposure before becoming sick and may spread less virus for a shorter period, helping improve herd health.
Another major advantage is speed. Because the vaccine uses only one gene instead of live virus, scientists can quickly create updated vaccines when new flu strains appear. Vu says a new vaccine could be ready within about one month, much faster than traditional vaccine production methods. This rapid response could be especially valuable during outbreaks of highly pathogenic viruses such as H5N1 avian influenza.
Nebraska's hog industry includes approximately 3.6 million animals, making disease prevention an important priority for producers.
The technology has already attracted commercial interest. A patent application has been filed through NUtech Ventures, and discussions are underway with industry partners to expand production and reduce manufacturing costs. Researchers are also testing the same vaccine platform in chickens, with future studies planned to evaluate protection against H5N1.
"If we have the vaccine working in multiple species, then we can respond faster because we don't have to develop anything from scratch again," Vu said.
Photo Credit: istock-srdjan-stepic
Categories: Nebraska, Livestock, Hogs