Th-17 cell mediated immune responses to Mycoplasma bovis proteins formulated with Montanide ISA61 VG and curdlan are not sufficient for protection against an experimental challenge with Mycoplasma bovis

The role of Th-17 immune responses in protection against bacterial infections has been investigated for several pathogens. In this study, our goal was to identify M. bovis antigens that may elicit Th-17 protective responses. We tested a vaccine containing M. bovis proteins formulated with Montanide ISA61™ VG and curdlan. After vaccination, the animals were challenged using a BHV-1/M. bovis co-infection model. We detected IL-17 and other cytokines in supernatants of PBMCs incubated with the recall antigens. In addition, we detected antibody and PBMC proliferative responses to the antigens. Despite observing slight decreases in the proportion of the lung lesions and in weight loss in the vaccinated group, we concluded that Th-17 responses to the antigens used here were not protective.