Natural antibodies and complement are endogenous adjuvants for vaccine-induced CD8+ T-cell responses

Nat Med. 2003 Oct;9(10):1287-92. doi: 10.1038/nm933. Epub 2003 Sep 21.

Abstract

CD8(+) T cells are essential for long-term, vaccine-induced resistance against intracellular pathogens. Here we show that natural antibodies, acting in concert with complement, are endogenous adjuvants for the generation of protective CD8(+) T cells after vaccination against visceral leishmaniasis. IL-4 was crucial for the priming of vaccine-specific CD8(+) T cells, and we defined the primary source of IL-4 as a CD11b(+)CD11c(lo) phagocyte. IL-4 secretion was not observed in antibody-deficient mice and could be reconstituted with serum from normal, but not Btk immune-deficient, mice. Similarly, no IL-4 response or CD8(+) T-cell priming was seen in C1qa(-/-) mice. These results identify a new pathway by which immune complex-mediated complement activation can regulate T-cell-mediated immunity. We propose that this function of natural antibodies could be exploited when developing new vaccines for infectious diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic*
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / immunology*
  • Antigens, Protozoan / genetics
  • Antigens, Protozoan / metabolism
  • CD11b Antigen / immunology
  • CD11c Antigen / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Complement Activation
  • Complement System Proteins / genetics
  • Complement System Proteins / immunology*
  • Interleukin-12 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-4 / genetics
  • Interleukin-4 / immunology
  • Interleukin-4 / metabolism
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / immunology
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / prevention & control
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Phagocytes / immunology
  • Phagocytes / metabolism
  • Protozoan Proteins / genetics
  • Protozoan Proteins / metabolism
  • Vaccines / immunology*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Antibodies
  • Antigens, Protozoan
  • CD11b Antigen
  • CD11c Antigen
  • HASPB protein, Leishmania
  • Protozoan Proteins
  • Vaccines
  • Interleukin-12
  • Interleukin-4
  • Complement System Proteins