Delayed adaptive immunity is related to higher MMR vaccine‐induced antibody titers in children. Issue 4 (29th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Strömbeck, Anna; Lundell, Anna‐Carin; Nordström, Inger; Andersson, Kerstin; Adlerberth, Ingegerd; Wold, Agnes E; Rudin, Anna
• Is Part Of: Clinical & translational immunology. Volume 5:Issue 4 (2016)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2016-04-29
• Subjects: Immunologic diseases -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; Immune System Diseases -- therapy; Immunotherapy; Immunologic Factors -- therapeutic use; Translational Medical Research; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Clinical medicine; Immunologic diseases; Immunology; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1038/cti.2016.20
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-0068

Abstract

Abstract : There are notable inter‐individual variations in vaccine‐specific antibody responses in vaccinated children. The aim of our study was to investigate whether early‐life environmental factors and adaptive immune maturation prior and close to measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) immunization relate to magnitudes of vaccine‐specific antibody titers. In the FARMFLORA birth cohort, including both farming and non‐farming families, children were immunized with the MMR vaccine at 18 months of age. MMR vaccine‐induced antibody titers were measured in plasma samples obtained at 36 months of age. Infants' blood samples obtained at birth, 3–5 days and at 4 and 18 months of age were analyzed for T‐ and B‐cell numbers, proportions of naive and memory T and B cells, and fractions of putative regulatory T cells. Multivariate factor analyses show that higher anti‐MMR antibody titers were associated with a lower degree of adaptive immune maturation, that is, lower proportions of memory T cells and a lower capacity of mononuclear cells to produce cytokines, but with higher proportions of putative regulatory T cells. Further, children born by cesarean section (CS) had significantly higher anti‐measles titers than vaginally‐born children; and CS was found to be associated with delayed adaptive immunity. Also, girls presented with significantly higher anti‐mumps and anti‐rubella antibody levels than boys at 36 months of age. These results indicate that delayed adaptive immune maturation before and in close proximity to immunization seems to be advantageous for the ability of children to respond with higher anti‐MMR antibody levels after vaccination. Immune system maturation influences vaccination success: Vaccination could be improved as a result of insight into how environmental factors influence the maturation of the immune system. Research by Anna‐Carin Lundell and colleagues at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, aimed to determine why the mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) vaccine is more effective in some people than others by monitoring immune system maturation and measuring the effect of the vaccine in children exposed to different environmental factors. They found that children whose immune systems developed more slowly ‐ including children born by caesarean section — produced more antibodies at 36 months in response to MMR vaccination at 18 months. The findings could help to develop vaccination strategies tailored to children who are exposed to different environmental factors, such as the method of birth, with the aim of optimizig their vaccine‐mediated immunity.