BCG vaccination induces enhanced frequencies of dendritic cells and altered plasma levels of type I and type III interferons in elderly individuals. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, Nathella Pavan; Padmapriyadarsini, Chandrasekaran; Rajamanickam, Anuradha; Bhavani, Perumal Kannabiran; Nancy, Arul; Jeyadeepa, Bharathi; Selvaraj, Nandhini; Ashokan, Dinesh; Renji, Rachel Mariam; Venkataramani, Vijayalakshmi; Tripathy, Srikanth; Babu, Subash
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 110(2021)
• Page Start: 98
• Page End: 104
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: BCG -- dendritic cells -- type I and III interferons -- COVID-19; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.07.041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: BCG vaccination induces significantly enhanced frequencies of DC subsets BCG vaccination induces diminished plasma levels of type I interferons but increased levels of type III interferons BCG vaccination can potentially boost immune responses in a non -specific or off-target manner in elderly individuals. Abstract: Objective: BCG can improve the response to vaccines directed against viral infections, and also, BCG vaccination reduces all-cause mortality, most likely by protecting against unrelated infections. However, the effect of BCG vaccination on dendritic cell (DC) subsets is not well characterized. Methods: We investigated the impact of BCG vaccination on the frequencies of DC subsets and type I and III interferons (IFNs) using whole blood and plasma samples in a group of elderly individuals (age 60-80 years) at one-month post-vaccination as part of our clinical study to examine the effect of BCG on COVID-19. Results: Our results demonstrate that BCG vaccination induced enhanced frequencies of plasmacytoid DC (pDC) and myeloid DC (mDC). BCG vaccination also induced diminished plasma levels of type I IFNs, IFNα and IFNβ but increased levels of type III IFNs, IL-28A and IL-29. Conclusions: Thus, BCG vaccination was associated with enhanced DC subsets and IL-28A/IL-29 in elderly individuals, suggesting its ability to induce non-specific innate immune responses.