Vaccination with rabies to study the humoral and cellular immune response to a T-cell dependent neoantigen in man.
We investigated the humoral (antigen-specific immunoglobulin isotypes, IgG subclasses, and avidity maturation) and cellular (antigen-specific in vitro proliferation) immune response in 18 healthy adult volunteers, following a primary and a single booster vaccination with the T-cell dependent neoantigen rabies administered at a 3-months interval. The IgG antibody titer showed a mean 31-fold increase (range 3-154) 4 weeks after the first vaccination and a memory response was observed after booster vaccination, i.e. high IgG titers, switch from IgM to IgG and IgA and increased antibody avidity. All healthy adults showed a rabies-induced proliferative response with a mean stimulation index of 45 (range 3.5-200) after in vitro stimulation of PBMC obtained at 4 weeks after booster vaccination. The results obtained in this study provide a frame of reference for the interpretation of specific immune responses to the T-cell dependent neoantigen rabies in patients suspected of a primary or secondary immunodeficiency. Humoral and cellular immune responses to the rabies neoantigen provide complementary information on the condition of the immune system of an individual. Five patients diagnosed with a combined immunodeficiency were vaccinated using the same protocol and showed a number of abnormalities, either in the humoral or the cellular immune response to the rabies neoantigen.
Brinkman
D M C
DM
Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. d.m.c.brinkman@lumc.nl
Jol-van der Zijde
C M
CM
ten Dam
M M
MM
Vossen
J M
JM
Osterhaus
A D M E
AD
Kroon
F P
FP
van Tol
M J D
MJ
D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D000917:Antibody Formation; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination
D000906:Antibodies; D011819:Rabies Vaccines