We used monoclonal antibodies and immunohistologic examination of lymph nodes, to elucidate the pathogenesis of lymphosarcoma induced by, infection with bovine leukemia virus (BLV). The superficial cervical lymph nodes from 3 BLV-infected but apparently healthy sheep and 5 sheep with full-blown lymphosarcoma were examined. We also investigated the integration of bovine leukemia provirus by use of Southern blotting. In lymph nodes from sheep lacking clinical signs of infection, in which the provirus had been integrated at multiple sites in the genome, many large hypertrophic follicles were observed in the cortex. These follicles had germinal centers consisting of CD4+T cells and B cells that expressed surface IgM (sIgM) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-II antigens, but not B cell-specific B2 molecule. The percentage of CD4+T cells in the cortex was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the controls and sheep with lymphosarcoma. In all sheep with lymphosarcoma, the lymph nodes were completely destroyed by proliferating neoplastic cells, and in addition, small atrophic follicles, which consisted of normal B-cell marker-positive cells, were seen near the trabecula and the subcapsule. In these instances, neoplastic cells appeared to be a monoclonal population derived from a single CD5- B-cell lineage and to be classified as 2 types, CD5-CD4-CD8-B2+MHC class-II+sIgM+ and CD5-CD4-CD8-B2+MHC class-II+sIgM-. Moreover, CD8+T cells infiltrated diffusely throughout the tumorous lymph nodes apart from the atrophic follicles, and CD4+T cells were observed around atrophic follicles. Both types of T cells were small-size, normal lymphocytes with round and noncleaved nuclei, and were apparently non-neoplastic cells. In fact, after separation by use of a panning method, it seems that, in blood mononuclear cells from BLV-infected sheep without clinical signs of infection, but in lymphosarcomatous stages, the proviral genome was integrated only in B cells.

Previous studies of the amino acid analogue, alpha-ketoisocaproate (KIC), indicate that it can stimulate lymphocyte blastogenesis and antibody responses of sheep. To determine whether KIC could overcome the effects of adreno-corticotropic hormone (ACTH)-induced lymphocyte suppression, 24 lambs were fed a control diet, a diet supplemented with 0.05% KIC, or a diet supplemented with 0.05% of the parent amino acid leucine. Immune status was monitored by determining lymphocyte blastogenic responsiveness to phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA), concanavalin A (conA), and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and percentages of T-cell subsets in the blood, using monoclonal antibodies and a flow cytometer. Serum cortisol, insulin, and glucagon concentrations also were determined. After 60 days of consuming the respective diet, lambs were administered either saline solution or ACTH (100 IU) twice daily for 3 consecutive days. Administration of ACTH increased serum cortisol and insulin concentrations; however, no effects were seen for serum glucagon concentration. Compared with saline administration, ACTH administration significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed mitogen-stimulated lymphocyte blastogenesis by approximately 50%, regardless of the mitogen used, and significantly (P < 0.01) decreased the percentage of circulating T lymphocytes and decreased (P < 0.01) the ratio of T4 to T8 cells. Lambs fed KIC had greater PHA- and conA-stimulated blastogenic responses and significantly (P < 0.05) increased ratio of T4 to T8 cells in the blood, compared with lambs fed the leucine-supplemented diet or the control diet and given corresponding injections. These data indicate that ACTH decreased in vitro lymphocyte blastogenesis and altered the subset ratios of blood lymphocytes in sheep. These changes were partially prevented by feeding KIC.

Vaccina virus (VV) infection induces specific antibodies and cytotoxic T cells in various animal species. Therefore, helper T cells also should be induced that stimulate the humoral and cellular immune responses. We determined such helper T-cell activity in 2 species after VV infection. Rabbits and rhesus macaques were infected with the Copenhagen strain of VV or with recombinant VV expressing retroviral proteins. Animals of both species developed antibodies and specific proliferative T-cell response. This reactivity could be enhanced by booster infection with VV. The proliferating macaque cells were CD4+ and major histocompatability complex class II-restricted. These data confirm the broad immunogenicity of VV. Expression of additional polypeptides expressed from a recombinant VV does not lead to altered immune response to VV antigens. However, strength of the helper T-cell response, as well as clinical reactions, differed between macaques and rabbits. Infection with recombinant VV as delivery vectors offers the opportunity for combined vaccination against recombinant proteins and does not diminish cellular and humoral immune responses to VV itself.

Determination of a degree of manifestation of immunomorphological changes in immune system organs of piglets vaccinated against salmonellosis, pasteurellosis and streptoccocusis with SPS vaccine (against salmonellosis (Salmonella), pasteurellosis (Pasteurella) and streptococcus) in combination with immunostimulative drugs and without them was realized in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus. Piglets of 30-35 days old were divided into 4 groups according to the analogue principle. Piglets of the first group were vaccinated against salmonellosis, pasteurellosis and streptoccocusis by SPS vaccine. Piglets of the second group were vaccinated by SPS vaccine with vitamin C. Piglets of the third group were vaccinated by SPS vaccine with immunotstimulant sodium thiosulphate. The fourth (control) group of animals was administrated with normal saline. Animals were immunized twice, intramuscularly with 7 day interval in dose of 4 ml (primary), and 5 ml (secondary). Vitamin С was administrated in dose of 0,05g per head. Sodium thiosulfate was administrated in combination with the vaccine in 30% concentration. The research results showed that immunization with SPS vaccine in combination with sodium thiosulphate and vitamin С promoted the activation of morphological reactions in tissues at locus of vaccine administration, lymphodnudus and lien. Immunization of piglets by SPS vaccine with sodium thiosulphate and with vitamin С activated the limphiod, micro- and macrophage reactions at locus of vaccine administration, as well as in organs and cells there was stated the well-marked vitamin C and glycogen distribution. Sodium thiosulphate showed higher immunostimulate influence in comparison with vitamin C

Morphological indexes in immune system organs of piglets which were vaccinated which were immunized by SPS vaccine (against salmonellosis (Salmonella), pasteurellosis (Pasteurella) and streptococcus) in combination with immunostimulative drugs and without them were studied in the conditions of the Republic of Belarus. Piglets of the first group were vaccinated against salmonellosis, pasteurellosis and streptoccocusis by SPS vaccine. Piglets of the second group were vaccinated by SPS vaccine in combination with vitamin C. Piglets of the third group were vaccinated by SPS vaccine with immunotstimulant sodium thiosulphate. The fourth (control) group of animals was administrated with normal saline. Animals were immunized twice, intramuscularly with 7 day interval and in dose 4 ml (primary), 5 ml (secondary). Vitamin С was added in dose 0,05g per head. Research results showed that immunization by SPS vaccine with sodium thiosulphate and Vitamin С activated the morphological reaction of immune system. Application of Vitamin С and sodium thiosulphate (30% concentration) in combination with SPS vaccine promoted the increasing of lymphoid nudels in lymphodnudus and lien, increasing of plasma cells quantity in 1,3-2,2 times, activation of micro- and macrophage reaction in 1,5-2,8 times in comparison with vaccinated animals