Acute and long-term effects of booster immunisation on frequencies of antigen-specific memory B-lymphocytes.
In search for a parameter that is predictive of long-term immunity, we analysed the influence of booster immunisations on frequencies of circulating memory B-lymphocytes. Specific IgG-secreting B-cells were determined by ELISPOTassay in 13 healthy adults, using diphtheria and tetanus toxoid as model antigens. Our results show that memory B-cells accumulate with every immunisation dose and remain elevated over several years. In addition, secondary B-cell responses were studied during the first 90 days after diphtheria re-immunisation. A significant indirect correlation was found between the number of previous boosters and the magnitude of specific B-cell expansion. In contrast, effects of booster immunisations did not correlate likewise with antigen-specific serology. Hence, this study illustrates that frequencies of antigen-specific B-lymphocytes can be used as an indirect measure for immunological memory. This parameter could be helpful to find scientifically based immunisation strategies for currently available and novel vaccines.
Nanan
R
R
Children's Hospital, Würzburg University, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany. kink106@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de
Heinrich
D
D
Frosch
M
M
Kreth
H W
HW
D000328:Adult; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male
D000941:Antigens