Murine cytokine patterns following rubella vaccination

Although thorough studies on the immune reponse to rubella have been performed, less attention has been given to the cellular mechanism and mediators that shape the process. Specifically, information concerning the nature ofcytokine patterns involved in the immune response to Rubella vaccination is not avaliable. This study deals with cytokine production patterns of spleen cells from Balb/c mice following vaccination with the Takahashi strain of Rubella vaccine. Mice were injected intraperitonealy with Rubella virus and PBS and 7, 10 or 14 days later, spleen cells were separated and cultured with varying doses of virus, con A or only the medium. ELISA assays were performed on supernatants for measurement of IL-4, INF-gamma and IL-5. LTT (Lymphocyte Transformation Test) was also performed. The data indicate variation in cytokine patterns during the time periods after vaccination. On day 7 a type 1 pattern was observed. The LTT response was also indicative of CMI (Cell Mediated Immunity) response on the 7th and 14th days while a transient suppression on day 10 was observed. These results indicate a time dependent cytokine response with variation ultimately leading o a dominant type 1 (Ti) cytokine response.