SBIR-STTR Award

Cytokines play a key role in the immunobiology of swine, and have the potential to improve the management of these animals. A comprehensive understanding of swine immunology requires the accurate quantification of cytokine messenger RNA molecules to analyze the dynamics of cytokine gene expression. Swine gene expression research has been hampered by reliance on traditional methods of mRNA detection (e.g. Northern blots, RT-PCR, and ribonuclease protection assays) which cannot provide rapid and quantitative results. Endogen has developed a novel mRNA assay system to provide same day results that are sensitive, and accurate quantitative assays for porcine IL-1§, IL-6, IL-8 IL- 12, TNF, and IFN

Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research:
:The swine mRNA assays developed in Phase I of this proposal will be marketed as research-use-only products to aid swine immunobiology research. These mRNA assays will complement the swine cytokine ELISAs that are being developed and marketed by Endogen.

Cytokines play a key role in the immunobiology of swine, and have the potential to improve the management of these animals. The pattern and tissue distribution of inflammatory cytokine expression may be indicative of the health or infectious status of the animal. Thus, the development of rapid cytokine tests is necessary to exploit this useful diagnostic information. Cytokines may also play another important role in protecting swine health; they are reported to be useful as vaccine adjuvants in animals. Purified and biologically active porcine cytokines can be used to elucidate the roles of these cytokines in the initiation and maintenance of immune response. The Phase I portion of this project resulted in the commercial availability of biologically active recombinant porcine Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1b), Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Interleukin 8 (IL-8), Interleukin 12 (IL-12), and Interferon Gamma (IFNg). These recombinant cytokines are the tools which make feasible the achievement of the Phase II goals; the development of a complete panel of cytokine ELISAs for swine health monitoring, and the investigation of recombinant cytokines as vaccine adjuvants.Applications:The ELISAs produced in Phase II will first be marketed as research-use-only products. Upon demonstration of the utility of these ELISAs as monitors of swine health (also to be performed in Phase II), plans will be made for the Phase III commercial development of the ELISAs as swine diagnostics. Similarly, research investigating the use of recombinant cytokines as vaccine adjuvants will be performed during Phase II. If this research demonstrates that recombinant porcine cytokines improve the economics of swine vaccination and health maintenance, then the commercial application of this use will be pursued in Phase III.