Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026

An In vitro Model to Study Immune Responses of Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells to Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Published on: December 10, 2013
Impaired pneumovax-23-induced monocyte-derived cytokine production in patients with common variable immunodeficiency
Raymond Hong1, Sudhanshu Agrawal, Sastry Gollapudi
1Division of Basic and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
Introduction:
Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the most common infectious pathogens in common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Both innate and adaptive immune response appears to play a role in defense against S. pneumoniae. In mice, it has been established that TLR2 and macrophages-derived cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha) play a crucial role in defense against S. pneumoniae. In humans, monocyte/macrophage-derived cytokines in response to S. pneumoniae have not been studied. Patients with CVID respond poorly to Pneumovax-23 (containing all capsular polysaccharides) vaccination.
Findings:
In this study, we show that Pneumovax-23, in a concentration and time-dependent manner, induced secretion of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-alpha by monocytes and not by B cells or T cells from healthy controls. Furthermore, Pneumovax-23-induced secretion of IL-6 and TNF-alpha was significantly less in patients with CVID as compared with controls. In addition, Pneumovax-23-induced upregulation of TLR2 in all four subsets of monocytes; however, differences between control and CVID were not significant.
Conclusion:
Pneumovax-23-induced monocytes-derived cytokine production is impaired in CVID, which may play an important role in increased susceptibility of CVID patients to S. pneumoniae infection.
Related Concept Videos
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
Cytomegalovirus Disease
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...

