Serum levels of anti-PspA and anti-PspC IgG decrease with age and do not correlate with susceptibility to
Adriano P Araujo1, Gabriela B C Colichio1, Maria Leonor S Oliveira1
1Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.
Plos One
|February 12, 2021
Summary
Serum IgG antibodies against Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) and Pneumococcal surface protein C (PspC) decrease with age. However, naturally induced antibody levels do not correlate with protection against pneumococcal colonization in healthy adults.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Older adults face a higher risk of pneumococcal disease.
- Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) and Pneumococcal surface protein C (PspC) are key antigens of Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- Age-related changes in immune response may impact protection against pneumococcal antigens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels against PspA and PspC variants.
- To determine if basal IgG levels correlate with protection against experimental pneumococcal colonization.
- To evaluate immune responses following experimental pneumococcal challenge in different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from young (18-30 years) and older (50-70+ years) healthy adults were analyzed.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify IgG levels against PspA and PspC variants.
- Participants underwent an experimental colonization challenge with a Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 6B strain.
Main Results:
- Serum IgG levels against common PspA variants and all tested PspC variants decreased with increasing age.
- No correlation was found between pre-existing IgG levels and protection against colonization.
- Younger individuals who were colonized showed increased IgG against PspA variants and all PspC variants post-challenge.
Conclusions:
- Serum IgG antibodies against PspA and PspC variants decline in healthy adults as they age.
- Naturally acquired IgG antibodies against these PspA and PspC variants do not appear to confer protection against experimental colonization.
- The findings do not exclude the potential of PspA and PspC as vaccine targets against pneumococcal infections.
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