Antigen-specific B-cell responses by neonatal calves after early vaccination

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of early vaccination on the phenotype (i.e., activation marker expression) and functional capacity of B cell populations in neonatal calves. In the first of 2 experiments, 6 calves were vaccinated with ovalbumin at 3 and 5 wk of age. Three of the 6 calves also were vaccinated with Mycobacterium bovis, strain bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) at 3 wk of age. Mycobacterium bovis lipoarabinomannan-reactive IgG(1) and IgG(2) were detected in calf sera prior to vaccination, indicative of colostral transfer of maternal Ig cross-specific to BCG. Ovalbumin-specific IgG(1) and IgG(2) were not detected before vaccination. Vaccination of 3-wk-old calves with ovalbumin elicited antigen-specific IgG(1) and IgG(2) antibody responses that were amplified by secondary vaccination. Vaccination with BCG did not elicit a measurable antibody response. In the second experiment, 6 calves were vaccinated with ovalbumin at 3 and 5 wk of age in addition to BCG at 3 wk of age. Lymph node cell populations stimulated with ovalbumin had decreased CD5, CD21, and CD40 expression and increased B-B2, CD25, and CD80 expression on IgM(+) cells. Stimulation of the same population with purified-protein derivative increased CD25 and CD80 expression on IgM(+) cells. Expression of activation molecules on ovalbumin- and purified protein derivative-stimulated CD5(+) IgM(+) cells was similar to expression on the larger IgM(+) cell population. An increased expression of major histocompatibility class II on CD5(+) IgM(+) cells after stimulation was the only exception. Interestingly, IgM(+) cells isolated from the superficial cervical lymph node draining the vaccination site, but not from the opposing cervical lymph node, responded to antigen stimulation in vitro. In conclusion, calves generated B cell responses to ovalbumin and BCG after vaccination. Additional studies are necessary to determine whether maternal immunologic experience transferred via colostral immunoglobulin inhibits production of mycobacteria-specific immunoglobulin production in the calf.