Deficient T-cell responses in non-responders to hepatitis B vaccination: absence of TH1 cytokine production.
The inability to mount a protective level (> or = 10 IU/l) of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-specific antibodies after vaccination is presumably the consequence of a defect in the cellular immune regulation. We compared the in vitro immune responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from high, intermediate and non-responders, after stimulation with recombinant HBsAg. The absence of a proliferative response in non-responders was not reversed by removal of CD8+ T cells, indicating that HBsAg-specific CD8+ T-cell-induced suppression was not the underlying cause of non-responsiveness. Non-responders did not produce cytokines after HBsAg stimulation. High responders displayed a typical Th1-like profile since their PBMC produced interleukin-2 (IL-2) and gamma-interferon (IFN gamma) and no detectable IL-4 or IL-5 upon stimulation with HBsAg.
Laboratory of Pathology and Immunology, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerpen, Belgium.
J
J
Vingerhoets
G
G
Vanham
L
L
Kestens
G
G
Penne
G
G
Leroux-Roels
P
P
Gigase
D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins