title: Polysaccharide-specific B cell responses to vaccination in humans.
abstract: The introduction of vaccines containing the capsular polysaccharides of N. meningitidis, S. pneumonia, and H. influenzae type b has driven a significant reduction in cases of disease caused by these bacteria. The polysaccharide-specific antibody responses following vaccination are well characterized, however less is known about the B cells underlying this response. Here, we summarize the plasma cell (PC) and memory B cell (BMEM) responses following plain polysaccharide and protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccination, drawing together studies covering a range of vaccines and age groups. These studies show that infant primary PC and BMEM responses to polysaccharide-conjugate vaccines are low in relation to older age groups but are significantly higher following booster doses. PC kinetics have generally been found to follow a similar pattern irrespective of vaccine type or age group, whereas divergent BMEM responses have been reported following plain polysaccharide and conjugate vaccination. A degree of correlation between early BMEM responses and maintenance of protective antibody levels has been identified in some studies, but the relationship between the 2 remains unclear. Identification of the B cell subsets involved and the mechanisms by which they are induced may provide a better understanding of the role of B cells in maintaining protective immunity through vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Oxford Vaccine Group; Department of Paediatrics; University of Oxford and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre; Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Oxford Vaccine Group; Department of Paediatrics; University of Oxford and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre; Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Dominic F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Oxford Vaccine Group; Department of Paediatrics; University of Oxford and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre; Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pollard
authors.affiliation: Oxford Vaccine Group; Department of Paediatrics; University of Oxford and the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre; Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trück
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D016175:B-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009345:Neisseria meningitidis / Q000276:immunology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial
keywords: B cells; B lymphocytes; antibody; glycoconjugate; immune response; polysaccharide; thymus-dependent; thymus-independent; vaccination