title: The nonresponse to hepatitis B vaccination is associated with impaired lymphocyte activation.
abstract: Nonresponsiveness against hepatitis B vaccination has been described in 4-10% of immunized subjects. We have explored the specific cell response to hepatitis B surface antigen by analyzing: PBMC proliferation, cytokine production (Th1, Th2 profiles, and TGF-beta), and activation molecules on Th cells. A poor proliferative response was demonstrated in nonresponders (P < 0.05). T cells from responders produced all tested cytokines (P < 0.01), in contrast with nonresponders subjects (P < 0.05). Expression of CD69 and CD25 was diminished in T cells from nonresponders (P < 0.01). A reduced expression of CD40L was also detected in T cells from nonresponders (P < 0.01). An elevated correlation coefficient was observed between CD40L on CD4+ cells and antibody production. These results suggest an overall inability of T cells to be activated which could be consistent with potential differences in antigen presentation. In conclusion, our results suggest that an altered Th response may be a consequence of inappropriate early activation events.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Immunology, University of Los Andes, Mérida, Venezuela.
authors.forename: Loredana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Goncalves
authors.forename: Benibelks
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Albarran
authors.forename: Siham
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salmen
authors.forename: Lerida
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fields
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Montes
authors.forename: Andres
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soyano
authors.forename: Yuleima
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.forename: Lisbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berrueta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000032:analysis; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008875:Middle Aged; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014611:Vaccination; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D023201:CD40 Ligand; D016207:Cytokines; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D000099192:CD69 Antigens