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Infant 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine immunization alters young adulthood CD4(+)T cell subsets in allergic

Liqun Zhang1, Hui Gao2, Ting Yang1

  • 1Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Key Laboratory of Pediatrics in Chongqing, Chongqing International Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China.

Vaccine
|February 25, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Infant immunization with 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) may prevent young adult allergic airway disease (AAD). PCV7 promotes regulatory T cells and Th1 responses while suppressing Th2 and Th17 pathways, reducing airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Vaccinology
  • Allergy Research

Background:

  • Adult 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) immunization shows potential in inhibiting allergic asthma.
  • Investigating the long-term effects of infant PCV7 immunization on allergic airway disease (AAD) is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of infant PCV7 immunization on CD4(+)T cell subsets in a murine model of AAD.
  • To determine if early-life PCV7 vaccination can prevent AAD development in young adulthood.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a murine model of allergic airway disease (AAD) in BALB/c mice.
  • Administered 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) during infancy.
  • Analyzed CD4(+)T cell subsets (Treg, Th1, Th2, Th17) and their associated cytokines (IL-10, IFN-γ, IL-13, IL-17A) in young adulthood.

Main Results:

  • Infant PCV7 immunization significantly inhibited airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in young adult mice.
  • PCV7 induced the production of Foxp3(+)Treg and Th1 cells, along with their cytokines IL-10 and IFN-γ.
  • PCV7 suppressed the production of Th2 and Th17 cells and their associated cytokines IL-13 and IL-17A.

Conclusions:

  • Infant PCV7 immunization demonstrates a protective effect against young adulthood allergic airway disease (AAD) in a mouse model.
  • The mechanism involves promoting immune-regulatory responses (Treg, Th1) and suppressing allergic (Th2) and inflammatory (Th17) pathways.
  • Early-life PCV7 vaccination could be a potential strategy for preventing AAD in susceptible individuals.

Keywords:
Allergic airway diseaseFoxp3(+)Treg cellInfant PCV7 immunizationTh17Th2Young adulthood

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