Profiles of NK, NKT cell activation and cytokine production following vaccination against hepatitis B.
Human natural killer (NK) cells (CD56+ CD3-) represent crucial components of the innate immune system especially against viral infections and because their activation can modulate the outcome of the adaptive immune response. NKT cells (CD56+CD3+), a lymphocyte T population characterized by expression of surface markers of NK cells, are known to be abundant in the liver and their activation could be associated with hepatic injury. Using three-color flow cytometry to measure surface receptors and intracellular cytokines, we have explored early activation signals and cytokine production in NK and NKT cells within a group of hepatitis B vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals. A specific increase of the CD56bright cell population, the activation receptor CD69 and IFN-gamma, was observed in NK cells following incubation with recombinant HBsAg in responders to vaccination. Comparable results were observed in NKT cells showing an increment of CD69, CD25, IL-2 and IFN-gamma expression in responder subjects. These parameters were statistically diminished in non-responder individuals (p<0.05) in both groups of cells. These results demonstrate a diminished activation of these cells in non-responders to the vaccine, suggesting that NK and NKT cells play an important role in the immune response following hepatitis B vaccination.
Albarran
B
B
Institute of Clinical Immunology, University of Los Andes, Merida, Venezuela.
Goncalves
L
L
Salmen
S
S
Borges
L
L
Fields
H
H
Soyano
A
A
Montes
H
H
Berrueta
L
L
D000328:Adult; D019002:CD56 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008875:Middle Aged; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D019002:CD56 Antigen; D016207:Cytokines; C075654:Engerix-B; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic; D007371:Interferon-gamma