Phenotypic and functional characterization of ex vivo T cell responses to the live attenuated herpes zoster vaccine.
To define the phenotypic characteristics and kinetics of T cell responses to a shingles vaccine in elderly individuals, 20 subjects > or =60 years of age received two doses of vaccine or placebo 6 weeks apart. VZV-specific T cell phenotypes and intracellular cytokines were determined by flow cytometry on blood mononuclear cells obtained pre-vaccination and up to 6 months after the second immunization. Results were compared with responses of five unvaccinated young adults. Pre-vaccination, elderly individuals had significantly lower VZV-specific effectors and cytokine-producing T cells compared with young adults. The vaccine significantly increased VZV-specific Th1, memory, early effector, and cutaneous homing receptor-bearing T cells.
Patterson-Bartlett
Julie
J
Department of Pediatrics of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO 80262, USA.
Levin
Myron J
MJ
Lang
Nancy
N
Schödel
Florian P
FP
Vessey
Rupert
R
Weinberg
Adriana
A
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007117:Immunization, Secondary; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated