Induction of human T cell-mediated immune responses after primary and secondary smallpox vaccination.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Postexposure vaccination strategies rely on a rapid induction of poxvirus-specific immune responses. Postvaccination cell-mediated immune (CMI) responses have not been compared by use of controlled trials in previously vaccinated (vaccinia-nonnaive) and nonvaccinated (vaccinia-naive) individuals.

METHODS:

To assess the time course of vaccinia-specific CMI responses, 20 previously vaccinated and 10 vaccinia-naive individuals were vaccinated with Dryvax, and serial blood samples were drawn.

RESULTS:

Both groups developed peak levels of vaccinia-specific interferon (IFN)- gamma -producing T cells by day 14 after vaccination. In vaccinia-nonnaive individuals, vaccinia-specific CMI responses were detected by day 7 after vaccination and preceded the increase in antibody titers. IFN- gamma enzyme-linked immunospot responses were significantly different between the 2 groups on days 7 (greater in vaccinia-nonnaive than in vaccinia-naive individuals) and 14 (greater in vaccinia-naive than in vaccinia-nonnaive individuals). Lymphoproliferation responses in vaccinia-nonnaive individuals were significantly higher on days 3 and 7, but cytotoxic T cell lysis activity was not statistically different at any time point. Antibody responses conformed to expected primary and secondary patterns of induction.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study demonstrates that the kinetics of CMI responses are different after primary vaccination versus after revaccination and indicates that memory can exist in individuals vaccinated >/=30 years ago. These data support the epidemiological observation in smallpox outbreaks that successful revaccination within 4 days of exposure is partially protective. In vaccinia-nonnaive individuals, protection against smallpox during the postexposure revaccination period may require T cell memory as an essential component for the rapid induction of protective cellular and humoral responses.

• Authors: Jeffrey S Kennedy, Sharon E Frey, Lihan Yan, Alan L Rothman, John Cruz, Frances K Newman, Laura Orphin, Robert B Belshe, Francis A Ennis
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 190 Issue 7 Pg. 1286-94 (Oct 01 2004) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15346340 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Smallpox Vaccine
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Adult
• Antibodies, Viral (blood)
• Humans
• Immunization, Secondary
• Immunologic Memory
• Interferon-gamma (biosynthesis)
• Lymphocyte Activation
• Middle Aged
• Smallpox Vaccine (immunology)
• T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic (immunology)
• Vaccination
• Vaccinia virus (immunology)