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Published on: June 4, 2019
Flow Cytometric Assessment of Pertactin- and Tetanus Toxoid-Specific B-Cell Kinetics After Tdap Booster Vaccination
Mirjam J Esser1,2,3, Annieck M Diks3, Liesbeth E M Oosten4
1Department of Pediatrics, MosaKids Children's Hospital, Maastricht University Medical Center, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Insights
This study reveals that Tdap booster vaccination boosts pertactin (Prn)-specific memory B cells and plasma cells, offering insights into vaccine-induced immunity against pertussis. The findings highlight B-cell responses following vaccination.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) persists despite high vaccination rates due to waning immunity and emerging pertactin (Prn)-negative strains.
- Anti-pertactin (Prn) antibodies and memory B cells may confer long-term immunity against Prn-positive strains.
- Limited data exists on memory B-cell responses post-vaccination, with most studies focusing on serum antibodies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize Prn-specific B-cell fluctuations after Tdap booster vaccination in healthy adults.
- To correlate cellular B-cell responses with antigen-specific serum antibody levels.
- To assess the utility of flow cytometry for evaluating B-cell responses to vaccination.
Main Methods:
- A flow cytometry approach was used to analyze Prn- and tetanus toxoid fragment C (TTC)-specific plasma cells and memory B cells.
- Samples were collected from five healthy adults at baseline and 7, 14, 21, and 90 days post-Tdap vaccination.
- Prn Klickmers® and TTC tetramers were employed, and cellular responses were correlated with serum IgG and IgA levels.
Main Results:
- Prn- and TTC-specific memory B cells increased post-vaccination, with a phenotypic shift towards IgG+ cells.
- Expansions of Prn- and TTC-specific plasma cells (primarily IgG+) were observed on day 7.
- An increase in Prn-specific IgA+ plasma cells was noted, and early memory B cell counts showed a weak correlation with later serum antibody levels.
Conclusions:
- This is the first study using flow cytometry to detail Prn-specific B-cell dynamics post-vaccination.
- The findings suggest flow cytometry can complement serological assays for assessing vaccine-induced immunity.
- The study provides valuable data on B-cell memory development and fluctuations after Tdap vaccination.
Abstract:
Background: Despite its high vaccination coverage, pertussis remains a public health concern due to waning vaccine-induced immunity and the emergence of pertactin (Prn)-negative strains. Nevertheless, anti-Prn antibodies and memory B cells elicited by vaccinations may contribute to long-term immunity and protection against Prn-positive strains. While most vaccination studies focus on serum antibodies, data on memory B cells remain limited. Methods: In this study, we implemented a flow cytometry-based approach to characterize Prn-specific B-cell fluctuations following Tdap booster vaccination in five healthy adults. Total and Prn- and tetanus toxoid fragment C (TTC)-specific plasma cells and memory B cells were analyzed at baseline and at 7, 14, 21, and 90 days post-vaccination using Prn Klickmers® and TTC tetramers. Following this, cellular responses were correlated with antigen-specific serum IgG and IgA levels. Results: Prn-specific and TTC-specific memory B cells increased on days 14 and 7 post-vaccination, respectively, accompanied by a phenotypic shift from IgMD+ to IgG+ cells. Clear expansions of total as well as Prn- and TTC-specific plasma cells occurred on day 7. These plasma cells primarily comprised IgG+, but an increase in Prn-specific IgA+ plasma cells was also observed. The numbers of Prn-specific IgG+ memory B cells on day 7 post-vaccination correlated weakly with serum anti-Prn IgG levels at later time points. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to use flow cytometry to evaluate Prn-specific B-cell responses and report their fluctuations over time following vaccination. These findings support the potential of this method to complement serological assays and improve our understanding of vaccine-induced immunity.
