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Neonatal and infantile immune responses to encapsulated bacteria and conjugate vaccines. Clin Dev Immunol 2008; 2008:628963. [PMID: 18825269 PMCID: PMC2553187 DOI: 10.1155/2008/628963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2008] [Revised: 06/25/2008] [Accepted: 08/01/2008] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Encapsulated bacteria are responsible for the majority of mortality among neonates and infants. The major components on the surface of these bacteria are polysaccharides which are important virulence factors. Immunity against these components protects against disease. However, most of the polysaccharides are thymus-independent (TI)-2 antigens which induce an inadequate immune response in neonates and infants. The mechanisms that are thought to play a role in the unresponsiveness of this age group to TI-2 stimuli will be discussed. The lack of immune response may be overcome by conjugating the polysaccharides to a carrier protein. This transforms bacterial polysaccharides from a TI-2 antigen into a thymus-dependent (TD) antigen, thereby inducing an immune response and immunological memory in neonates and infants. Such conjugated vaccines have been shown to be effective against the most common causes of invasive disease caused by encapsulated bacteria in neonates and children. These and several other approaches in current vaccine development will be discussed.
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2
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Abstract
The use and optimisation of plasmid DNA delivery systems for the purposes of eliciting transgene specific immune responses to orally administered DNA encoded antigen represents a significant challenge. Here, we have outlined a multicomponent polymer modified liposomal delivery system that offers potential for oral administration of plasmid DNA. It is shown that the polymer/liposome formulated DNA is able to elicit markedly enhanced transgene specific cytokine production following in vitro restimulation of splenocytes with recombinant antigen. This is discussed with reference to recent publications and the potential of plasmid DNA delivery systems for the purposes of genetic immunisation, as reported in selected literature, is assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Somavarapu
- Centre for Drug Delivery Research, School of Pharmacy, University of London, UK
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3
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M'Rabet L, Vos AP, Boehm G, Garssen J. Breast-feeding and its role in early development of the immune system in infants: consequences for health later in life. J Nutr 2008; 138:1782S-1790S. [PMID: 18716187 DOI: 10.1093/jn/138.9.1782s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Laura M'Rabet
- Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Beta Sciences, Utrecht University, 3508 TC Utrecht, The Netherlands
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4
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Marconi C, de Lourdes Rs Cunha M, Lyra JC, Bentlin MR, Batalha JE, Sugizaki MF, Rugolo LM. Comparison between qualitative and semiquantitative catheter-tip cultures: laboratory diagnosis of catheter-related infection in newborns. Braz J Microbiol 2008; 39:262-7. [PMID: 24031213 PMCID: PMC3768388 DOI: 10.1590/s1517-838220080002000012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2007] [Revised: 12/20/2007] [Accepted: 05/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This prospective study evaluated semiquantitative and qualitative catheter-culture methods for diagnosis of catheter-related infection (CRI) in newborns. Catheter tips from newborns admitted to the Neonatal Unit of the University Hospital of the Botucatu Medical School, UNESP were included in the study. Catheter cultures were performed with both semiquantitative and qualitative techniques. For CRI diagnosis, microorganisms isolated from catheter cultures and from peripheral blood cultures were identified and submitted to agent susceptibility test. The gold standard was the certain CRI diagnosis when same microorganism (specie and profile of susceptibility to agents) was isolated from both catheter tips and peripheral blood culture. A total of 85 catheters from 63 newborns were included in the study. The semiquantitative culture method, despite presenting lower sensitivity (90%), showed higher specificity (71%) when compared to 100% of sensitivity and 60% of specificity in the qualitative method. The identification of the microorganisms obtained from the catheter cultures showed a prevalence of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) species. The specie Staphylococcus epidermidis (77.5%) was the prevalent in the catheters with positive semiquantitative cultures. Among 11 episodes with CRI diagnosis, 8 (72.7%) were associated with CNS species, of which 6 were S. epidermidis. Two episodes of CRI by S. aureus and one by Candida parapsilosis were also detected. The semiquantitative catheter-culture method showed advantages for CRI diagnosis in newborns when compared to the conservative qualitative method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Marconi
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista , Botucatu, SP , Brasil
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5
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Effect of intrauterine HIV-1 exposure on the frequency and function of uninfected newborns' dendritic cells. Clin Immunol 2008; 126:243-50. [PMID: 18201932 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2007.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2007] [Revised: 10/29/2007] [Accepted: 11/10/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Immaturity of the neonatal immune system is considered an underlying factor for enhanced severity of infections in newborns. Functional defects of neonatal antigen-presenting cells lead to defective T-cell responses. T cells from uninfected neonates exposed in utero to HIV-1 (EU) exhibit phenotypic and functional alterations; however, the function of their circulating dendritic cells (DCs) has not been characterized. We hypothesized that an HIV-1-infected maternal environment may influence the infants' DC number, phenotype and function. EU exhibited a higher percentage of myeloid DCs (mDCs) than unexposed neonates, although this frequency remained lower than that observed in adults. Plasmacytoid DC (pDC) frequencies were similar in all groups, although both groups of infants tended to have lower frequencies than adults. After LPS stimulation, mDCs from EU up-regulated CD80, CD86 and B7-H1, whereas mDCs from unexposed infants upregulated B7-H1, but not CD80/CD86, and adult mDCs up-regulated mainly CD80 and CD86. IFN-alpha production was similar in all groups, indicating a normal pDC function. Therefore, in utero exposure to HIV-1 induces quantitative and qualitative changes in neonatal DCs, particularly in mDCs, which might be associated with alterations observed in T cells from these EU.
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6
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Gold MC, Robinson TL, Cook MS, Byrd LK, Ehlinger HD, Lewinsohn DM, Lewinsohn DA. Human neonatal dendritic cells are competent in MHC class I antigen processing and presentation. PLoS One 2007; 2:e957. [PMID: 17895997 PMCID: PMC1978526 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2007] [Accepted: 09/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonates are clearly more susceptible to severe disease following infection with a variety of pathogens than are adults. However, the causes for this are unclear and are often attributed to immunological immaturity. While several aspects of immunity differ between adults and neonates, the capacity of dendritic cells in neonates to process and present antigen to CD8+ T cells remains to be addressed. We used human CD8+ T cell clones to compare the ability of neonatal and adult monocyte-derived dendritic cells to present or process and present antigen using the MHC class I pathway. Specifically, we assessed the ability of dendritic cells to present antigenic peptide, present an HLA-E-restricted antigen, process and present an MHC class I-restricted antigen through the classical MHC class I pathway, and cross present cell-associated antigen via MHC class I. We found no defect in neonatal dendritic cells to perform any of these processing and presentation functions and conclude that the MHC class I antigen processing and presentation pathway is functional in neonatal dendritic cells and hence may not account for the diminished control of pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marielle C Gold
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
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7
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Velilla PA, Rugeles MT, Chougnet CA. Defective antigen-presenting cell function in human neonates. Clin Immunol 2006; 121:251-9. [PMID: 17010668 PMCID: PMC1764492 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2006.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2006] [Revised: 08/02/2006] [Accepted: 08/21/2006] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Immaturity of the immune system has been suggested as an underlying factor for the high rate of morbidity and mortality from infections in newborns. Functional impairment of neonatal T cells is frequently quoted as the main underlying mechanism for such immaturity. However, recent studies suggest that neonatal antigen-presenting cells (APCs) also exhibit functional alterations, which could lead to secondary defects of adaptive T-cell responses. In this review, we summarize what is known on the functionality of APC at birth and during early childhood. Compared to adults, neonatal APCs display markers of immaturity and produce low levels of cytokines. Multiple factors could be involved in neonatal APC alteration, such as intrinsic immaturity, defective interaction between APCs and T cells and regulatory T-cell-mediated inhibition. Characterization of the relative contribution of each mechanism is clearly needed to better understand the functional capability of the neonatal immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula A Velilla
- Group Immunovirology, Biogenesis Corporation, University of Antioquia, Medellín, A.A. 1226 Colombia
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8
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Muniz-Junqueira MI, Peçanha LMF, da Silva-Filho VL, de Almeida Cardoso MC, Tosta CE. Novel microtechnique for assessment of postnatal maturation of the phagocytic function of neutrophils and monocytes. CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY IMMUNOLOGY 2004; 10:1096-102. [PMID: 14607873 PMCID: PMC262435 DOI: 10.1128/cdli.10.6.1096-1102.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We describe a simple test for the evaluation of phagocytosis and provide a chart of reference values to evaluate normal phagocytosis by age. We assessed the postnatal maturation of phagocytic function of neutrophils and monocytes. Phagocytosis was evaluated in newborn children delivered vaginally or by cesarean section, infants, preschool children, schoolchildren, and adult subjects. Two drops of blood were placed on a microscope slide and incubated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts, and phagocytosis was evaluated by microscopy. Our technique showed results comparable to or better than those obtained by other usual techniques. The neutrophils of newborn children delivered by cesarean section showed a phagocytic capacity 45% higher than those of neonates delivered vaginally, whereas neutrophils from children in the latter group showed the lowest phagocytic capacity of all age groups. Phagocytosis by neutrophils reached the levels seen in adults at about the first year of life, while there were no important variations in phagocytosis by monocytes in the different age groups. The technique described is reliable and fast, uses only a few drops of blood, and allows better preservation of cell function due to the minimal manipulation to which the cells are submitted. The delayed maturation of the phagocytic function by neutrophils may account for the high levels of susceptibility of newborn and infant children to bacterial infections. This practical method of assessment of phagocytosis may allow the diagnosis of primary or secondary phagocytic deficiencies to be made more easily and may allow better monitoring and treatment of those with dysfunctions of these cells.
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9
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Gerdts V, Tsang C, Griebel PJ, Babiuk LA. DNA vaccination in utero: a new approach to induce protective immunity in the newborn. Vaccine 2004; 22:1717-27. [PMID: 15068855 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2003.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Infectious diseases are the primary cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in people, resulting in millions of deaths every year. Infection of the newborn with some of the pathogens involved, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) or group B Streptococcus sp. (GBS), usually occurs at the end of pregnancy, during birth or by breast feeding. Therefore, active immunization of the fetus might represent an effective approach to reduce the high risk of neonatal diseases. We recently showed that DNA immunization in utero within the third trimester of gestation induced strong humoral and cell-mediated immune responses in immunized fetal lambs. Here, we demonstrate that fetal immunization was safe and did not affect fetal gestation, neonatal viability, or significantly alter blood leukocyte populations. In utero immunization resulted in the induction of protective mucosal immunity and immune memory in the newborn lamb. Furthermore, there was no evidence that in utero DNA immunization induced immune tolerance. Our results also indicate that the uptake and expression of the plasmid DNA already occurred within the epithelium of the oral cavity. This correlates with our previous findings that local immune responses were found exclusively in the retropharyngeal lymph nodes draining the oral cavity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Gerdts
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Road, Saskatoon, Sask., Canada S7N 5E3.
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10
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Fazio VM, Ria F, Franco E, Rosati P, Cannelli G, Signori E, Parrella P, Zaratti L, Iannace E, Monego G, Blogna S, Fioretti D, Iurescia S, Filippetti R, Rinaldi M. Immune response at birth, long-term immune memory and 2 years follow-up after in-utero anti-HBV DNA immunization. Gene Ther 2004; 11:544-51. [PMID: 14999226 DOI: 10.1038/sj.gt.3302179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Infections occurring at the end of pregnancy, during birth or by breastfeeding are responsible for the high toll of death among first-week infants. In-utero DNA immunization has demonstrated the effectiveness in inducing specific immunity in newborns. A major contribution to infant immunization would be achieved if a vaccine proved able to be protective as early as at the birth, preventing the typical 'first-week infections'. To establish its potential for use in humans, in-utero DNA vaccination efficiency has to be evaluated for short- and long-term safety, protection at delivery, efficacy of boosts in adults and effective window/s for modulation of immune response during pregnancy, in an animal model suitable with human development. Here we show that a single intramuscular in-utero anti-HBV DNA immunization at two-thirds of pig gestation produces, at birth, antibody titers considered protective in humans. The boost of antibody titers in every animal following recall at 4 and 10 months demonstrates the establishment of immune memory. The safety of in-utero fetus manipulation is guaranteed by short-term (no fetus loss, lack of local alterations, at-term spontaneous delivery, breastfeeding) and long-term (2 years) monitoring. Treatment of fetuses closer to delivery results in immune ignorance without induction of tolerance. This result highlights the repercussion of selecting the appropriate time point when this approach is used to deliver therapeutic genes. All these findings illustrate the relevance of naked DNA-based vaccination technology in therapeutic efforts aimed to prevent the high toll of death among first-week infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- V M Fazio
- Interdisciplinary Center for Biomedical Research, Laboratory for Molecular Medicine and BioTechnology, Università 'Campus Bio-Medico', Rome, Italy
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11
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Gerdts V, Snider M, Brownlie R, Babiuk LA, Griebel PJ. Oral DNA vaccination in utero induces mucosal immunity and immune memory in the neonate. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2002; 168:1877-85. [PMID: 11823522 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.168.4.1877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases are responsible for a significant number of deaths during the first weeks of life. Some of the salient pathogens include HSV, HIV, hepatitis B virus, group B streptococcus, Haemophilus sp., and Chlamydia sp. The vertical transmission of many of these pathogens significantly increases the risk of neonatal infection. We recently reported that oral DNA immunization in utero induced high serum Ab titers and cell-mediated immunity in fetal lambs. In this study, we demonstrate immune memory and mucosal immunity in newborn lambs following oral DNA immunization of the fetus. A single oral exposure in utero to plasmid DNA encoding a truncated form of glycoprotein D of bovine herpesvirus-1 induced detectable immune responses in 80% (12 of 15) of newborn lambs. There was no evidence for the induction of immune tolerance in nonresponding lambs. Responding lambs displayed both systemic and mucosal immune responses and reduced virus shedding following intranasal challenge. Furthermore, strong anamnestic responses were evident for at least 3 mo after birth. The efficacy of in utero oral DNA immunization was further demonstrated with the hepatitis B surface Ag, and protective serum Ab titers occurred in 75% of immunized lambs. Thus, the present investigation confirms that oral DNA immunization in utero can induce both mucosal and systemic immune responses in the neonate and that this immunity has the potential to prevent vertical disease transmission.
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MESH Headings
- Administration, Oral
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Antibodies, Viral/biosynthesis
- Antigens, Viral/genetics
- Antigens, Viral/immunology
- DNA, Viral/genetics
- Fetus
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/genetics
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/immunology
- Herpesviridae Infections/immunology
- Herpesviridae Infections/prevention & control
- Herpesvirus 1, Bovine/immunology
- Herpesvirus 1, Bovine/pathogenicity
- Immunity, Mucosal
- Immunologic Memory
- Kinetics
- Sheep
- Vaccines, DNA/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, DNA/adverse effects
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Vaccines, Inactivated/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Inactivated/adverse effects
- Vaccines, Inactivated/immunology
- Viral Proteins/genetics
- Viral Proteins/immunology
- Viral Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Viral Vaccines/adverse effects
- Viral Vaccines/immunology
- Virus Shedding
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Affiliation(s)
- Volker Gerdts
- Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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12
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Abstract
Typically, neonates exhibit decreased or aberrant cellular immune responses when compared to adults, resulting in increased susceptibility to infection. However, it is clear that newborns are able to generate adult-like protective T cell responses under certain conditions. The focus of our research is to understand the deficiencies within the neonatal immune system that lead to improper cellular responses and how priming conditions can be altered to elicit the appropriate T cell response necessary to protect against development of pathogen-induced disease. With these goals in mind, we are exploring the attributes of neonatal T cells and their development, as well as the conditions during priming that influence the resulting response to immune challenge during the neonatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Garcia
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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13
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Abstract
Preclinical and human vaccine studies indicate that, although neonatal immunisation does not generally lead to rapid and strong antibody responses, it may result in an efficient immunological priming, which can serve as an excellent basis for future responses. The apparent impairment of CD4 and CD8 T-cell function in early life seems to result from suboptimal antigen-presenting cells-T cell interactions, which can be overcome by use of specific adjuvants or delivery systems. Although persistence of maternal antibodies may limit infant antibody responses, induction of T-cell responses largely remain unaffected by these passively transferred antibodies. Thus, neonatal priming and early boosting with vaccine formulations optimised for sufficient early life immunogenicity and maximal safety profiles, could allow better control of the huge infectious disease burden in early life.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Siegrist
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Neonatal Vaccinology, Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Geneva, 1 Michel-Servet, 1211 4, Geneva, Switzerland.
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14
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Prevention of Infectious Diseases by Neonatal and Early Infantile Immunization: Prospects for the New Millennium*. INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN CLINICAL PRACTICE 2001. [DOI: 10.1097/00019048-200105000-00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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15
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Gerdts V, Babiuk LA, Griebel PJ. Fetal immunization by a DNA vaccine delivered into the oral cavity. Nat Med 2000; 6:929-32. [PMID: 10932233 DOI: 10.1038/78699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Infectious diseases are the main cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in humans. The World Health Organization estimated that in 1995 approximately 8 million infants died within the first year of life from infectious diseases, including 5 million during the first week of life. Some of the salient pathogens involved include herpes simplex virus, human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, human cytomegalovirus, group B streptococcus, hemophilus and chlamydia. Infection with these pathogens usually occurs at the end of pregnancy, during birth or by breastfeeding. To reduce the risk of disease transmission, caesarian sections, prophylactic treatment with antibiotics or maternal antiviral therapy during the last trimester are used where available, together with improved neonatal care. None of these approaches, however, completely eliminates the risk of neonatal infection. Therefore, active or passive immunization of the fetus might represent an effective approach to reduce the high risk of neonatal diseases. Here, we demonstrate that a single immunization with a DNA vaccine delivered into the amniotic fluid in the oral cavity induces high serum antibody titers and a cell-mediated immune response, combined with induction of local immunity in the oral cavities of fetal lambs.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Gerdts
- Veterinary Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, S7N 5E3 Saskatoon, Canada
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16
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Marchant A, Newport M. Prevention of infectious diseases by neonatal and early infantile immunization: prospects for the new millennium. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2000; 13:241-246. [PMID: 11964793 DOI: 10.1097/00001432-200006000-00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Newborns and young infants are at increased risk of severe or prolonged infections. Recent advances in our understanding of the host immune response in this age group, coupled with the development of molecular genetic tools, have paved the way for a new generation of preventive vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnaud Marchant
- aMRC Laboratories, Banjul, The Gambia, West Africa, and bWellcome Trust Centre for the Study of Molecular Mechanisms in Disease, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, UK
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17
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Arulanandam BP, Mittler JN, Lee WT, O'Toole M, Metzger DW. Neonatal administration of IL-12 enhances the protective efficacy of antiviral vaccines. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2000; 164:3698-704. [PMID: 10725728 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.164.7.3698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Neonates are highly susceptible to infectious agents and are known to display polarized expression of Th2-like cytokines and Abs. This neonatal immune bias has important implications for the development of vaccine strategies, particularly against viral infections. We now report that coadministration of IL-12 and an influenza subunit vaccine at birth enhances the protective efficacy of antiviral vaccination. Immunization and treatment with IL-12 within 24 h of birth resulted in elevated expression of IFN-gamma, IL-10, and IL-15 mRNA in the spleens of newborn mice compared with animals exposed to vaccine only. In addition, these animals showed dramatic increases in IFN-gamma-, IL-2-, and IL-4-secreting cells, and in IgG2a Ab levels upon adult challenge compared with mice primed with vaccine alone. Most importantly, animals vaccinated and simultaneously treated with IL-12 at birth displayed enhanced survival after lethal challenge with infectious influenza virus as adults compared with infected animals that had been primed with vaccine alone. This augmented protection required B cells and could be transferred to naive mice by immune serum. Collectively, these results provide evidence that administration of IL-12 to neonates induces a Th1-like response in newborns and elicits protective antiviral immune memory.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn/genetics
- Animals, Newborn/growth & development
- Animals, Newborn/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/biosynthesis
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Antibodies, Viral/physiology
- Cytokines/biosynthesis
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Immunoglobulin Isotypes/biosynthesis
- Immunoglobulin Isotypes/blood
- Immunoglobulin Isotypes/physiology
- Immunologic Memory
- Influenza A virus/immunology
- Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Influenza Vaccines/immunology
- Influenza Vaccines/therapeutic use
- Injections, Intraperitoneal
- Interleukin-12/administration & dosage
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/genetics
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/immunology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/prevention & control
- Th1 Cells/immunology
- Th1 Cells/metabolism
- Th2 Cells/immunology
- Th2 Cells/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- B P Arulanandam
- Center for Immunology and Microbial Disease, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA
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