Comparison of long-term humoral memory development after immunisation against Neisseria meningitidis B or diphtheria toxoid

Abstract

Since genome sequence data became available there has been a marked increase in number of protein antigens that have been suggested as prospective vaccine components against Neisseria meningitidis B (MenB). Few studies have addressed the mechanisms by which meningococcal vaccines generate and sustain immunological memory. The goal of this study was to compare the B-cell response (antibody-secreting cells [ASC], memory B cell and IgG) evoked by a MenB vaccine (VA-MENGOC-BC(®)) with the B-cell response to diphtheria toxoid (DT) induced by a successful vaccine (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis [DTP]). The results showed different kinetics of specific ASC response after the primary and booster immunisations. Concerning the specific ASC kinetics, MenB vaccine induced a strong primary response, but the recall response showed a limited power over time. In contrast, DTP primary ASC response was weaker than the booster responses. We observed an increase in the relative percent of memory B cells after 1, 2 and 3 doses of MenB vaccine (mean of 0.8%, 1.3% and 1.6%, respectively) but without statistical significance. Similar frequencies were detected after boosting given at 4 months (mean of 1.3%) or 6 months (mean of 0.9%) following the third dose. DT specific memory B cell response showed a slight lower magnitude after the primary immunisation schedule (mean of 1.2% after the third dose) compared with the MenB response. However, a stronger memory B cell response was induced by booster doses of DTP vaccine at 4 months (mean of 1.9%) or 6 months (mean of 1.9%). The kinetics of specific IgG induced by both vaccines was similar, suggesting that memory B cells were responsible for the strong antibody response seen after the booster vaccination.

Short-term and long-term antibody response by mice after immunization against Neisseria meningitidis B or diphtheria toxoid

“…In contrast to previously published ELISA data 12, using the in vitro neutralization test we did not detect diphtheria antibodies before or after one injection of vaccine. However, as shown in Figure 3A, all animals had protective neutralizing antibody titers (≥0.1 IU/mL) after two doses of vaccine (mean of 1.84 IU/mL) with a significant (P = 0.005) increase of antibodies after the third injection of DTP vaccine (mean of 21.2 IU/mL).…”

“…After 6 months of primary immunization, about 70% of the animals still had protective neutralizing DT antibodies, but none had significant bactericidal antibodies to MenB. A long-lasting antibody-secreting cell response was also seen for the DTP vaccine compared to the Cuban MenB vaccine 12.…”

“…Since then, we have been studying the ability of this vaccine to generate and maintain immunological memory 6,7,12.…”

Autoantigen‐Specific Memory B Cells in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome

“…This is followed by an antigen‐specific ELISPOT assay for the detection of memory B cells that have differentiated into antibody‐secreting cells (ASCs) in vitro . Memory B cell ELISPOT assay has been used previously to quantify the number of memory B cells present in peripheral blood in relation to different vaccines [28–32]. In this study, we have adapted this memory B cell ELISPOT assay to examine the Ro/SSA‐ and La/SSB‐ specific memory B cell pattern in the peripheral blood of patients with pSS.…”

Short-term and long-term antibody response by mice after immunization against Neisseria meningitidis B or diphtheria toxoid

“…The Cuban MenB vaccine (VA-MENGOC-BC H ) employed in this study was previously used in Brazil to immunize millions of children but showed unsatisfactory efficacy (3). Since then, we have been studying the ability of this vaccine to generate and maintain immunological memory (6,7,12).…”