Immunization with Haemophilus influenzae type b-CRM(197) conjugate vaccine elicits a mixed Th1 and Th2 CD(4+) T cell cytokine response that correlates with the isotype of antipolysaccharide antibody

J Infect Dis. 2001 Oct 1;184(7):931-5. doi: 10.1086/323342. Epub 2001 Aug 22.

Abstract

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) capsular polysaccharide (PS) induces protective antibodies but is T independent and poorly immunogenic in infants. Conjugate vaccines of Hib PS linked to proteins, such as CRM(197), increase the PS antibody titer and elicit immunologic memory. To define the conjugate-induced memory T cell response, 19 adults were immunized with Hib-CRM(197), and antibody titers, carrier protein-specific CD4(+) T cell proliferation, and cytokine production were measured. Hib-CRM(197) induced PS and CRM(197) antibodies, vigorous T cell recall responses, and production of cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-2, IL-5, IL-10, and interferon-gamma. There was marked variability in PS antibody titer, despite consistent CRM(197)-specific recall responsiveness, which correlated with peak IgM and IgA PS antibody titers. Correlations were also found between IL-2 and IL-5 and IgA PS antibody levels. Hib-CRM(197) induced a rapid increase in CRM(197)-specific memory T cells and mixed Th1/Th2 cytokines, which may regulate the isotype and quantity of PS antibody.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood*
  • Bacterial Capsules
  • Bacterial Proteins / administration & dosage*
  • Bacterial Proteins / immunology
  • Cytokines / blood*
  • Haemophilus Infections / immunology
  • Haemophilus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Haemophilus Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • Haemophilus Vaccines / immunology
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b* / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Immunologic Memory
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Interferon-gamma / blood
  • Interleukins / blood
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / administration & dosage*
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / immunology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*
  • Vaccination*
  • Vaccines, Conjugate / administration & dosage
  • Vaccines, Conjugate / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • Haemophilus Vaccines
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b polysaccharide vaccine
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Interleukins
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial
  • Vaccines, Conjugate
  • CRM197 (non-toxic variant of diphtheria toxin)
  • Interferon-gamma