Tetanus Toxoid carrier protein induced T-helper cell responses upon vaccination of middle-aged adults. Issue 42 (9th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van der Heiden, Marieke; Duizendstra, Aafke; Berbers, Guy A.M.; Boots, Annemieke M.H.; Buisman, Anne-Marie
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 35:Issue 42(2017)
• Page Start: 5581
• Page End: 5588
• Publication Date: 2017-10-09
• Subjects: T-helper cells -- Cytokines -- TFH-cells -- Middle-aged adults -- Conjugate-carrier vaccine -- Tetanus -- MenACWY-TT; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.08.056
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Vaccines frequently induce suboptimal immune responses in the elderly, due to immunological ageing. Timely vaccination may be a strategy to overcome this problem, which classifies middle-aged adults as an interesting target group for future vaccine interventions. However, the immunological fitness of the middle-aged population is ill-defined. It is currently unknown whether effective T-cell help towards B-cells is initiated by conjugate-carrier vaccines at middle-age. Aim: We characterized systemic Tetanus Toxoid (TT) specific T-helper cell responses in the circulation of middle-aged adults (50–65 years of age, n = 31) having received the MenACWY-TT vaccination. Methods: Blood samples were taken pre- as well as 7 days, 28 days, and 1 year post-vaccination. TT-specific T-cell responses were determined by IFNγ Elispot and by the secretion of IFNγ, IL13, IL10, IL17, and IL21 in cell culture supernatants. Circulating CD4+CXCR5+ICOS+IL21+ cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, and meningococcal and TT-specific IgG responses by bead-based immunoassays. The correlation between the T-cell help and humoral responses was evaluated. Results: Vaccination with a TT-carrier protein induced a mixed TT-specific Th1 (IFNγ), Th2 (IL13, IL10), and Th17 (IL17) response in most participants. Additionally, circulating CD4+CXCR5+ICOS+IL21+ cells were significantly increased 7 days post-vaccination. Pre-vaccination TT-specific cytokine production and post-vaccination Th2 responses correlated positively with the increase of CD4+CXCR5+ICOS+IL21+ cells. No correlation between T-cell help and antibody responses was found. Conclusion: The characteristics of the T-cell response upon a TT-carrier vaccination suggests effective T-cell help towards B-cells in response to meningococcal polysaccharides, although the absence of a correlation with the antibody responses warrants further clarification. However, the robust T-helper cell response in middle-aged adults, decades after previous TT vaccinations, strengthens the classification of this age group for future vaccine interventions in the context of population ageing.