Booster immunization improves the generation of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells specific to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) after prenatal HBsAg exposure. Issue 39 (15th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Ruijun; Chen, Kun; Wang, Yuting; Liu, Chang; Wu, Zhiyuan; Wang, Dongmei; Qu, Chunfeng
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 39:Issue 39(2021)
• Page Start: 5571
• Page End: 5579
• Publication Date: 2021-09-15
• Subjects: T follicular helper cells -- Antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigens -- Prenatal exposure -- Interleukin 21 -- Vaccine booster; HBV Hepatitis B virus -- HBsAg Hepatitis B surface antigen -- Anti-HBs Antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen -- Tfh cell T follicular helper cell -- CXCR5 CXC chemokine receptor 5 -- PD-1 Programmed cell death protein 1 -- IL Interleukin -- IFNγ Interferon gamma -- Tbx21 T-box transcription factor 21 -- Gata3 GATA binding protein 3 -- Bcl6 B cell lymphoma 6 -- Gapdh Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase -- Anti-M1 Antibodies against influenza A H1N1 virus matrix protein 1 -- ASCs Antibody secreting cells; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.08.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

Abstract: Breakthrough infections of hepatitis B virus (HBV) after neonatal vaccination occurred in some adolescents and young adults who were born to mothers with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). We aimed to determine the impacts of prenatal HBsAg exposure on the generation of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and antibodies (anti-HBs) specific to HBsAg. To mimic human prenatal HBsAg exposure, we mated female Alb1-HBV (HBV-M) mice with male C57BL/6J mice. Of their first filial generation (F1), HBV-M/F1 + expressed HBsAg in liver tissues and blood, and HBV-M/F1 − mice exposed HBsAg in amniotic fluid. At their four weeks old, each HBV-M/F1 mouse was immunized with hepatitis B vaccine containing 5 μg HBsAg subcutaneously. Both HBV-M/F1 − and HBV-M/F1 + mice had reduced generation of HBsAg-specific CD4 + CXCR5 + PD1 + Tfh cells and CD138 + IgD − plasma cells in comparison with C57BL/6J mice. Results of coculturing the Tfh cells with B cells that were isolated from different strains of mice indicated that CD4 + T cell activation in response to HBsAg was critical for anti-HBs generation after prenatal HBsAg exposure. When interleukin (IL) 21 was supplemented, the generation of HBsAg-specific Tfh and plasma cells in HBV-M/F1 − mice was improved, while supplementation showed little effect in HBV-M/F1 + mice. In HBV-M/F1 − mice, HBV vaccine booster improved the generation of Tfh cells and plasma cells, and enhanced anti-HBs production. Conclusion: Impaired generation of HBsAg-specific Tfh cells and plasma cells after prenatal HBsAg exposure can be improved by HBV vaccine booster, most likely increasing IL-21 production.