Whole blood transcriptome analysis during immunization and mammary challenge with E. coli

Methods: During the last trimester of the gestation, 12 heifers were immunized using intramuscular injection with heat-killed E. coli P4 emulsified in Montanide ISA 61VG® oil adjuvant (SEPPIC), as recommended by the manufacturer. Two months later, half of the heifers (IM group, n=6) got a second injection as a booster. Others received 50 µg of protein concentrate prepared from E. coli P4 supernate in two quarters (IMM group, n=6). Cows of the control group (CONT, n=6) were injected intramuscularly with adjuvant only at the same dates. Cows were then challenged on average at 49 days in milk in one healthy quarter by infusion of a E. coli P4 bacterial suspension (10e3 bacteria). Blood was collected before experiment, and seven days after the first and the second injection (immunization phase), and then at 0, 12 and 40 hours after infection (challenge phase). Results : Whole blood transcriptome through RNA-seq identifies the main biological functions altered during an E. coli mastitis. Systemic and mammary routes of E. coli immunization elicit different gene expression profiles that correlated with the levels of protection Conclusions: Intramuscular immunization is correlated with a high systemic Th1 response that is not as protective as the local route of immunization. During the last trimester of the gestation, 12 heifers were immunized using intramuscular injection with heat-killed E. coli P4 emulsified in Montanide ISA 61VG® oil adjuvant (SEPPIC), as recommended by the manufacturer. Two months later, half of the heifers (IM group, n=6) got a second injection as a booster. Others received 50 µg of protein concentrate prepared from E. coli P4 supernate in two quarters (IMM group, n=6). Cows of the control group (CONT, n=6) were injected intramuscularly with adjuvant only at the same dates. Cows were then challenged on average at 49 days in milk in one healthy quarter by infusion of a E. coli P4 bacterial suspension (10e3 bacteria). Blood was collected before experiment, and seven days after the first and the second injection (immunization phase), and then at 0, 12 and 40 hours after infection (challenge phase). Overall design: Gilles,Foucras