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Published on: January 26, 2019
Composition of pertussis vaccine given to infants determines long-term T cell polarization
Insights
Whole-cell pertussis vaccines promote long-term Th1/Th17 immunity, unlike acellular vaccines which induce Th2 responses. Booster responses depend on the initial infant vaccination, impacting future pertussis vaccine strategies.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Whole-cell pertussis vaccines reduced whooping cough but caused adverse reactions.
- Acellular pertussis vaccines, used in high-income countries, offer incomplete long-term protection, leading to rising disease incidence despite boosters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term immune polarization induced by whole-cell versus acellular pertussis vaccines.
- To determine if initial infant vaccination influences responses to subsequent boosters.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of immune responses following whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccination.
- Assessment of T helper cell polarization (Th1, Th2, Th17) and regulatory T cell (Treg) induction.
Main Results:
- Whole-cell pertussis vaccines promote sustained Th1 and Th17 immune responses.
- Acellular pertussis vaccines induce a long-term Th2 polarization.
- Subsequent booster responses are dependent on the type of vaccine administered in infancy.
- Acellular vaccines may induce regulatory T cells (Tregs).
Conclusions:
- The type of initial pertussis vaccine significantly impacts long-term immune polarization.
- Understanding these polarization effects is crucial for developing improved pertussis vaccination strategies.
- Future vaccines should aim to induce protective Th1 and Th17 responses.
Abstract:
The introduction of a whole-cell vaccine against Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, dramatically reduced disease incidence. Unfortunately, the whole-cell formulation also induces severe reactions in some infants. Because of this, acellular vaccines have been developed, but they are used exclusively in high-income countries. However, the acellular vaccines do not provide long-term protection, and despite the use of routine boosters, the disease is on the rise. In this issue of the JCI, da Silva Antunes and colleagues demonstrate that the whole-cell vaccines promote long-term polarization toward Th1 and Th17 responses, while the acellular vaccines induce Th2 polarization. Moreover, this polarization is long term, as the response to acellular boosters is dependent on the initial vaccine given in infancy. The authors speculate that Tregs may be induced by initial acellular vaccine administration. The results of this study have important implications for the development of pertussis vaccination strategies that would induce Th1 and Th17 polarization.
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