![]() ![]() Current capability now extends to multi-parametric analyses such as simultaneous fourteen-color flow cytometry that can identify 89 functionally-relevant CD4 +ve T-cell subsets in human blood ( 9). The subsequent Th1/Th2 paradigm provided a fundamental framework for investigating immune activation and regulation that has expanded far beyond those original two subsets. The availability of mAbs that could phenotype cells and detect cytokines by ELISA underpinned the discovery of two distinct CD4 +ve T-cell subsets in congenic mice ( 8). The development of monoclonal antibody (mAb) technology using congenic mice subsequently created almost boundless opportunities for research in basic and translational immunology ( 7). That pioneering work of George Snell and the later capability of genetically manipulating congenic mice has allowed immunologists to ascribe functions to genes, molecules and cells with high precision ( 6). The development of congenic mice, differing at a single histocompatibility locus, was a fundamental technological innovation in immunology that led to mice being the primary species of choice for research. However, this momentum in veterinary immunological studies was not maintained the vast majority of technological innovations and discoveries in immunology in the past 50 years have been made in mice. These ground-breaking experiments were feasible, in part, due to the size of the species under investigation, particularly for the technique of lymphatic cannulation due to the diameter of lymphatic vessels in ruminants ( 5). For example, bursectomy in chickens shed new light on mechanisms of B cell development and immunoglobulin production ( 2), in utero thymectomy of lambs revealed the importance of the thymus for lymphocyte development ( 3) and lymphatic cannulation of sheep revealed that lymphocyte subsets differ between blood, afferent and efferent lymph ( 4). ![]() Historically, however, innovations in surgical procedures in veterinary species have resulted in major step-changes in our understanding of the ontogeny, compartmentalization and function of the immune system. The rate of progress of immunological reagent development for veterinary species has been much slower than that for humans and small rodent biomedical model species, and has impacted research capability in those species ( 1). The development of novel tools and technologies has been fundamental to the advancement of basic and applied immunology across species. The future availability of these reagents is critical to research for improving animal health, responses to infectious pathogens and vaccine design as well as for important analyses of zoonotic pathogens and the animal /human interface for One Health initiatives. We review the past, present and future of the veterinary immunological toolbox with specific reference to recent developments discussed at the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) Veterinary Immunology Committee (VIC) Immune Toolkit Workshop at the 12th International Veterinary Immunology Symposium (IVIS) in Seattle, USA, 16–19 August 2019. While short-term funding initiatives can address specific gaps in capability, they do not account for long-term sustainability of reagents and databases that requires a different funding model. Various approaches have been taken to veterinary immunological reagent development across the globe and technological advances in molecular biology and protein biochemistry have accelerated toolbox development. There have been a number of projects aimed at reducing the capability gaps in the veterinary immunological toolbox, the majority of these focusing on livestock species. This creates a barrier to the strategic development of disease control solutions for livestock, companion animals and wildlife that not only affects animal health but can affect human health by increasing the risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens. It is well-recognized that research capability in veterinary species is restricted by a lack of immunological reagents relative to the extensive toolboxes for small rodent biomedical model species and humans. 4The Pirbright Institute, Woking, United Kingdom.3Moredun Research Institute, Pentlands Science Park, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.2Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, BARC, NEA, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, MD, United States. ![]() 1The Roslin Institute at The University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian, United Kingdom.
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