Polysaccharide-specific B cell responses to vaccination in humans

• DOI: 10.4161/hv.28350
• Publication Date: 2014-03-14T18:21:57Z
• Authors: Ruth Mitchell; Dominic F Kelly; Andrew J Pollard; Johannes Trück
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Adolescent; Plasma Cells; B-Lymphocyte Subsets; 610 Medicine & health; Neisseria meningitidis; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Humans; Child; Aged; 2403 Immunology; Polysaccharides, Bacterial; Infant; Antibodies, Bacterial; Haemophilus influenzae; 3. Good health; 3004 Pharmacology; Streptococcus pneumoniae; 10036 Medical Clinic; Bacterial Vaccines; 2723 Immunology and Allergy; Female; Immunologic Memory

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.