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Suppression of the immune response by nasal immunization
F B Waldo1, A W van den Wall Bake, J Mestecky
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology
|July 1, 1994
Summary
Intranasal immunization with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) primes the immune system, inducing both mucosal and systemic antibody responses. However, prior nasal priming may suppress subsequent systemic immune responses to KLH.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Vaccinology
Background:
- Intranasal immunization in humans elicits mucosal and systemic immune responses.
- Previous studies show intranasal tetanus toxoid enhances subsequent systemic antibody responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if intranasal priming with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) enhances systemic IgA response after subsequent systemic immunization.
- To determine the effect of intranasal KLH immunization on the systemic immune response.
Main Methods:
- Five healthy adults received intranasal KLH immunizations followed by subcutaneous KLH.
- Eight healthy adults received only subcutaneous KLH as controls.
- Serum antibody levels (IgM, IgA, IgG) and delayed type hypersensitivity were measured.
Main Results:
- Nasal KLH immunization induced sustained serum IgM, IgA, IgG, and mucosal IgA responses.
- Subcutaneous immunization alone induced serum antibodies and delayed type hypersensitivity.
- Nasally primed subjects showed decreased serum IgA and IgG and failed to develop delayed type hypersensitivity after subcutaneous immunization.
Conclusions:
- The nasal mucosa can induce both mucosal and systemic immunity.
- Intranasal priming may suppress subsequent immune responses to systemic immunization, contrary to initial hypotheses.
- This suggests a complex regulatory role for the nasal mucosa in immune priming.