The enhancement of Th1 immune response by anti-PD-L1 antibody in cattle infected with Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

• Published in: Journal of Veterinary Medical Science Vol. 83; no. 2; pp. 162 - 166
• Main Authors: SAJIKI, Yamato, KONNAI, Satoru, NAGATA, Reiko, KAWAJI, Satoko, NAKAMURA, Hayato, FUJISAWA, Sotaro, OKAGAWA, Tomohiro, MAEKAWA, Naoya, KATO, Yukinari, SUZUKI, Yasuhiko, MURATA, Shiro, MORI, Yasuyuki, OHASHI, Kazuhiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 01-02-2021; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japanese Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: Apoptosis; cattle; CD69 antigen; Cytokines; Enteritis; Immunology; immunotherapy; Johne’s disease; Lymphocytes T; Mycobacterium avium; Paratuberculosis; Pasteurization; PD-L1 protein; programmed death-ligand 1; Th1 response; Th1 response; cattle; programmed death-ligand 1; Johne’s disease; immunotherapy
• ISSN: 0916-7250; 1347-7439
• DOI: 10.1292/jvms.20-0590

Johne’s disease, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), is a chronic enteritis of ruminants. Previous studies have shown that programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is associated with the disease progression, and PD-L1 blockade activates MAP-specific Th1 responses in vitro. Here, we performed anti-PD-L1 antibody administration using 2 MAP-infected cattle at the late subclinical stage of infection. After administration, bacterial shedding was reduced or maintained at a low level. Additionally, MAP-specific Th1 cytokine production was upregulated, and CD69 expression was increased in T cells. Collectively, the treatment has a potential as a novel control method against Johne’s disease.