Q969R polymorphism in NLRP3 is associated with immune responses to vaccination against bacterial infections in pigs

: Nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, pyrin-domain containing-3 (NLRP3) is an important pattern recognition receptor involved in various inflammatory responses and adjuvant effects upon vaccination. We previously identified the Q969R (A2906G) gain-of-function polymorphism in porcine NLRP3, which increased production of interleukin-1β in in vitro gene transfection experiments. Here, we explored the associations between the A2906G polymorphism and antibody responses after vaccination against bacteria in Large White pigs maintained under specific pathogen-free conditions. The NLRP3-2906A/G pigs had a greater antibody response to vaccine antigens than NLRP3-2906A/A pigs. We observed a significant association of the antibody response against Haemophilus parasuis serotype 2 and 5 with NLRP3 genotypes. As the A2906G polymorphism in NLRP3 is widely distributed in commercial pig breeds, Landrace, Large White and Berkshire pigs, there is potential for improvement in vaccine efficiency and disease resistance using this polymorphism in various pig populations.