The method used to create a B cell tetramer that can detect a memory immune response to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) will be widely applicable for demonstrating immunity to other veterinary pathogens, and is presented in an article in Viral Immunology, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Viral Immunology website.

The article entitled "B Cell Tetramer Development for Veterinary Vaccinology" is part of a special issue on Challenges in Veterinary Vaccines led by Guest Editor Crystal Loving, PhD, USDA-ARS National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA.

Coauthors Michael Rahe, Kevin Gustafson, and Michael Murtaugh, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, described how the nsp7-B cell tetramer can be used to facilitate an in-depth understanding of the characteristics and quality of the memory B cell response generated to PRRSV infection and to vaccination against the virus.

The researchers reported that validation studies showed the reagent able to detect PRRSV-specific B cells present at a frequency of about 0.001 per cent of the total B lymphocytes in a vaccinated animal.

"The authors have done a wonderful job of extending B cell tetramer technology to the veterinary immunology field. This approach will be tremendously useful for the study of veterinary vaccines in general," says David L. Woodland, PhD, Editor-in Chief of Viral Immunology and Chief Scientific officer for Keystone Symposia on Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Research reported in this publication was supported by grants from National Institutes of Health under Award Number T32 OD010993. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.