title: ELISpot assay as a sensitive tool to detect cellular immunity following influenza vaccination in kidney transplant recipients.
abstract: Enhanced cellular immunity following influenza vaccination has been undetectable in kidney transplant recipients so far. Protection from influenza is dependent on cellular and humoral immunity. Aim of the study was to investigate immune responses before and after vaccination with influenza A and B antigens in 65 kidney transplant recipients. A significant increase in proliferative responses was only observed towards influenza B (P < 0.0001) by lymphocyte transformation test. The enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay was more sensitive and detected significant, 3- to 5-fold increases (P < 0.0001) in interferon-gamma secretion using influenza A and B antigens. Furthermore, influenza antibody titers increased significantly (P < 0.0001). At month 1 post-vaccination 85% of patients displayed specific cellular, and 95% or 92% humoral immunity against influenza A and B, respectively. Thus, applying the sensitive ELISpot assay, influenza-specific cellular immunity could be detected for the first time in kidney transplant recipients after vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, University Hospital, Virchowstrasse 171, 45122 Essen, Germany.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lindemann
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Witzke
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lütkes
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fiedler
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kreuzfelder
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Philipp
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roggendorf
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grosse-Wilde
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D053121:Influenza A Virus, H2N2 Subtype / Q000276:immunology*; D009981:Influenza B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D007371:Interferon-gamma