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Vaccines
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Vaccines for Porcine Viruses
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Vaccines for Porcine Viruses

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Vaccines".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 5399

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Hongxia Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, CAAS 678 Haping Road, Harbin 150069, China
Interests: PRV; ASFV; vaccine; latent infection

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Porcine viruses are primarily host-specific to pigs, such as with Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV), African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV), and Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV). However, some viruses, like Pseudorabies Virus (PRV), can infect various animals, including humans. The spread of these pig-originating viruses poses potential risks to food safety and public health, in spite of the effectiveness of vaccines in controlling infectious diseases related to pigs. Additionally, some viruses such as ASFV lack vaccines; others, such as PEDV and PRRSV, face challenges due to constant viral mutations that reduce vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, traditional attenuated live vaccines for pathogens like PRV and CSFV have limitations in purifying the virus. As such. this Special Issue will serve as a platform for sharing information on the research and development of pig-originating virus vaccines, both past and present.

Dr. Hongxia Wu
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • infections
  • vaccine
  • adaptive immune response
  • epidemiology

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 8013 KB  
Article
Immunoproteomic Screening of Candidate Antigens for the Preliminary Development of a Novel Multi-Component and Multi-Epitope Vaccine Against Streptococcus suis Infection
by Yue Zhang, Caiying Li, Yutong Feng, Qibing Gu, Jinwang Hu, Yuhang Li, Lu Xia and Shaopo Zu
Vaccines 2025, 13(10), 1020; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13101020 - 30 Sep 2025
Viewed by 432
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Streptococcus suis (SS), an important zoonotic pathogen, has caused significant economic losses to the global pig industry. Existing commercial vaccines for SS mainly provide effective protection against a single serotype. Due to the existence of many serotypes and their robust immune [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Streptococcus suis (SS), an important zoonotic pathogen, has caused significant economic losses to the global pig industry. Existing commercial vaccines for SS mainly provide effective protection against a single serotype. Due to the existence of many serotypes and their robust immune evasion capabilities, the development of multi-component subunit vaccines or multi-epitope vaccines that provide effective cross-protection against different strains of SS is a key focus of current research. Methods: We applied two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and immunoblotting to screen for candidate immunogens among the immunogenic cell wall proteins of SS. BALB/c mice were immunized intradermally with a multi-component, multi-epitope vaccine. The vaccine’s safety and immunogenicity were assessed via clinical monitoring, antibody titer detection, cytokine assays, and survival curve analyses. Results: In this study, eight immunogenic cell wall proteins (GH25, Pk, PdhA, Ldh, ExoA, Pgk, MalX, and Dnak) were successfully identified using MALDI-TOF-MS, all of which could induce high IgG antibody titers. Based on the conservation and immunoprotection demonstrated by these eight protective antigenic proteins, PdhA, Ldh, and MalX were screened to construct a multi-component subunit vaccine as a candidate vaccine for providing cross-protection against SS isolates of multiple serotypes. Challenge studies showed that mice immunized with the multi-component subunit vaccine (PdhA, Ldh, and MalX) were protected against challenges with the SS2 virulent strain ZY05719 (62.5% protection) and the SSChz virulent strain CZ130302 (75% protection). Subsequently, we utilized immunoinformatics techniques to design a novel multi-epitope vaccine (MVPLM) derived from the immunogenic proteins PdhA, Ldh, and MalX. However, challenge tests revealed that the MVPLM offered limited protection against SS. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that a multi-component subunit vaccine composed of PdhA, Ldh, and MalX proteins shows promise as a candidate universal vaccine against multiple SS serotypes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccines for Porcine Viruses)
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16 pages, 2673 KB  
Article
Immunogenic Responses Elicited by a Pool of Recombinant Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NC8 Strains Surface-Displaying Diverse African Swine Fever Antigens Administered via Different Immunization Routes in a Mouse Model
by Assad Moon, Hongxia Wu, Tao Wang, Lian-Feng Li, Yongfeng Li, Zhiqiang Xu, Jia Li, Yanjin Wang, Jingshan Huang, Tianqi Gao, Yuan Sun and Hua-Ji Qiu
Vaccines 2025, 13(9), 897; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13090897 - 25 Aug 2025
Viewed by 841
Abstract
Background: African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and often deadly disease that poses a major threat to swine production worldwide. The lack of a commercially available vaccine underscores the critical need for innovative immunization strategies to combat ASF. Methods: Six ASFV [...] Read more.
Background: African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and often deadly disease that poses a major threat to swine production worldwide. The lack of a commercially available vaccine underscores the critical need for innovative immunization strategies to combat ASF. Methods: Six ASFV antigenic proteins (K78R, A104R, E120R, E183L, D117L, and H171R) were fused with the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1 surface anchor LP3065 (LPxTG motif) to generate recombinant Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NC8 (rNC8) strains. The surface expression was confirmed using immunofluorescence and Western blotting assays. Additionally, the dendritic cell-targeting peptides (DCpep) were co-expressed with each antigen protein. Mice were immunized at a dosage of 109 colony-forming units (CFU) per strain per mouse via intragastric (I.G.), intranasal (I.N.), and intravenous (I.V.) routes. The bacterial mixture was heat-inactivated by boiling for 15 min to destroy viable cells while preserving antigenic structures. I.V. administration caused no hypersensitivity, confirming the method’s safety and effectiveness. Results: Following I.G. administration, rNC8-E120R, rNC8-E183L, rNC8-K78R, and rNC8-A104R induced significant levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) in fecal samples, whereas rNC8-H171R and rNC8-D117L failed to induce a comparable response. Meanwhile, rNC8-D117L, rNC8-K78R, and rNC8-A104R also elicited significant levels of sIgA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Following I.N. immunization, rNC8-E120R, rNC8-K78R, and rNC8-A104R significantly increased sIgA levels in both fecal and BALF immunization. In contrast, I.V. immunization with heat-inactivated rNC8-K78R and rNC8-A104R induced robust serum IgG titers, whereas the remaining antigens elicited minimal or insignificant responses. Flow cytometry analysis revealed expanded CD3+CD4+ T cells in mice immunized via the I.N. and I.G. and CD3+CD4+ T cells only in those immunized via the I.N. route. Th1 responses were also significant in the sera of mice immunized via the I.G. and I.N. routes. Conclusions: The rNC8 multiple-antigen cocktail elicited strong systemic and mucosal immune responses, providing a solid foundation for the development of a probiotic-based vaccine against ASF. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccines for Porcine Viruses)
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12 pages, 1307 KB  
Article
Protection Against Transplacental Transmission of a Highly Virulent Classical Swine Fever Virus Two Weeks After Single-Dose FlagT4G Vaccination in Pregnant Sows
by Liani Coronado, Àlex Cobos, Adriana Muñoz-Aguilera, Sara Puente-Marin, Gemma Guevara, Cristina Riquelme, Saray Heredia, Manuel V. Borca and Llilianne Ganges
Vaccines 2025, 13(8), 803; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13080803 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 754
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Classical swine fever (CSF) continues to challenge global eradication efforts, particularly in endemic regions, where pregnant sows face heightened risks of vertical transmission following exposure to CSFV. Methods: This study evaluates the early protective efficacy of FlagT4G, a novel live attenuated DIVA-compatible [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Classical swine fever (CSF) continues to challenge global eradication efforts, particularly in endemic regions, where pregnant sows face heightened risks of vertical transmission following exposure to CSFV. Methods: This study evaluates the early protective efficacy of FlagT4G, a novel live attenuated DIVA-compatible vaccine. Pregnant sows were vaccinated at mid-gestation and challenged 14 days later with a highly virulent CSFV strain. Results: FlagT4G conferred complete clinical protection, preventing both maternal viremia and transplacental transmission. No CSFV RNA, specific antibodies, or IFN-α were detected in fetal samples from vaccinated animals. In contrast, unvaccinated sows exhibited clinical signs, high viral loads, and widespread fetal infection. Interestingly, early protection was observed even in the absence of strong humoral responses in some vaccinated sows, suggesting a potential role for innate or T-cell-mediated immunity in conferring rapid protection. Conclusions: The demonstrated efficacy of FlagT4G within two weeks of vaccination underscores its feasibility for integration into emergency vaccination programs. Its DIVA compatibility and ability to induce early fetal protection against highly virulent CSFV strains position it as a promising tool for CSF control and eradication strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccines for Porcine Viruses)
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16 pages, 2737 KB  
Article
Immune Protection Gap Between Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Subunit Vaccine (N Protein) and Live Vaccine
by Mengpo Zhao, Pian Zhang, Xiaoxiao Zhang, Shengjun Luo, Ziguo Yuan, Yanju Huang, Gang Wang, Hua Xiang, Yuan Huang, Yuzhu Jin, Jing Chen and Xiaohu Wang
Vaccines 2025, 13(5), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13050441 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 984
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the immunoprotective effect of a PRRSV N protein subunit vaccine on piglets using a live PRRSV vaccine as a control. Methods: The HEK-293T eukaryotic expression system was used to produce PRRSV N protein, and then PRRSV N protein [...] Read more.
Objectives: To evaluate the immunoprotective effect of a PRRSV N protein subunit vaccine on piglets using a live PRRSV vaccine as a control. Methods: The HEK-293T eukaryotic expression system was used to produce PRRSV N protein, and then PRRSV N protein was immunized with a commercial live PRRS vaccine. The immunoprotective effect of the PRRSV N protein subunit vaccine on piglets was evaluated by detecting the antibody level in the immunized piglets, and the clinical symptoms, pathological changes, and survival rate of the immunized piglets. Results: At 21 and 28 days after immunization, the serum N protein-specific antibody levels of piglets in the live PRRSV vaccine group were higher than those in the N protein group. After PRRSV infection, piglets in the N protein group and the DMEM group showed more severe clinical symptoms such as respiratory distress, loss of appetite, skin redness, and diarrhea than those in the live vaccine group. The rectal temperature of piglets in the live vaccine group remained below 40 °C, and only one piglet died on day 11 post-infection; in the PRRSV N protein group, the rectal temperature of some piglets exceeded 41 °C, and four piglets died on days 9, 11, 14, and 20 post-infection. In addition, pathologic damage to organs such as lungs, liver, lymph nodes, spleen, and kidneys was more severe in the N protein group than in the live vaccine group. Furthermore, histopathology and immunohistochemistry showed more pronounced organ damage (lungs, liver, lymph nodes, spleen, and kidneys) and higher viral loads in the N protein group compared to the live vaccine group. Conclusions: The PRRS subunit vaccine (N protein) expressed in the HEK-293T eukaryotic system did not protect piglets from heterologous PRRSV infection compared with the PRRS live vaccine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccines for Porcine Viruses)
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14 pages, 1742 KB  
Article
Characterization of Glycoprotein 5-Specific Response in Pigs Vaccinated with Modified Live Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Vaccine Derived from Two Different Lineages
by Jing Huang, Venkatramana D. Krishna, Igor A. D. Paploski, Kimberly VanderWaal, Declan C. Schroeder and Maxim C.-J. Cheeran
Vaccines 2025, 13(3), 247; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13030247 - 27 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1842
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is classified into various lineages based on the phylogenetic variation of orf5, which encodes a major surface glycoprotein GP5 containing both neutralizing and non-neutralizing linear epitopes. Several positively selected sites have been identified on [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is classified into various lineages based on the phylogenetic variation of orf5, which encodes a major surface glycoprotein GP5 containing both neutralizing and non-neutralizing linear epitopes. Several positively selected sites have been identified on the GP5 ectodomain, indicating host immune pressure on these sites. This present study aimed to investigate the kinetics of antibody responses to GP5 and to map the epitope-specific response to the GP5 ectodomain from different PRRSV lineages after vaccination with commercially available modified live virus (MLV) vaccines. Methods: Post-weaning pigs were vaccinated with MLV vaccines derived from either lineage 1D (Prevacent PRRS®) or lineage 5 (Ingelvac PRRS®). Animals were challenged with a heterologous (lineage 1A) strain at 64 days post-vaccination (dpv). Blood samples were collected at various times post-vaccination and challenge. Kinetics of antibody response to different PRRSV antigens were monitored and virus neutralization against archetypal and contemporary strains belonging to lineage 5 and 1A were evaluated. In addition, antibody responses to peptides derived from the GP5 ectodomain of different viral lineages were assessed. Results: Our results showed that the GP5-specific antibody response observed between 18 and 35 dpv was delayed compared to responses to the viral nucleocapsid protein. The polyclonal antibody response in both vaccinated groups showed similar levels of binding to variant GP5 peptides from different sub-lineages. Notably, in both vaccinated groups, the antibody directed to a peptide representing the GP5 ectodomain of a lineage 1C strain (variant 1C.5) displayed a rise in titer at 64 dpv, which was further increased by the challenge with the lineage 1A strain. Less than 50% of animals developed heterologous neutralizing antibodies post-vaccination with both MLV vaccines. However, higher neutralization titers were observed in all vaccinated animal post-challenge. Conclusions: Together, these data provide insights into the antibody responses to the GP5 ectodomain in MLV-vaccinated swine herds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccines for Porcine Viruses)
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