Variability of Vaccine Responsiveness in Young Children

Department

Research

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

The Journal of Infectious Diseases

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Variability in vaccine responsiveness among young children is poorly understood.

METHODS: Nasopharyngeal secretions were collected in the first weeks of life for measurement of cytokines/chemokines seeking a biomarker, and blood samples were collected at age 1 year to identify vaccine responsiveness status, defined as low vaccine responder (LVR), normal vaccine responder (NVR), and high vaccine responder (HVR), to test for vaccine antigen-induced immune memory and for antigen-presenting cell (APC) function.

RESULTS: Significantly lower specific cytokine/chemokine levels as biosignatures, measurable in nasopharyngeal secretions at infant age 1-3 weeks, predicted LVR status compared to NVR and HVR children. Antibiotic exposures were correlated with increased occurrence of LVR. At age 1 year, LVRs had fewer CD4+ T-helper 1 and T-helper 2 memory cells responsive to specific vaccine antigens. APC responses observed among LVRs, both at rest and in response to Toll-like receptor 7/8 stimulation by R848, were suboptimal, suggesting that altered innate immunity may contribute to immune deficiency in LVRs.

CONCLUSIONS: Cytokine biosignatures in the first weeks of life may predict vaccine responsiveness in children during the first year of life. Antibiotic exposure is associated with LVR in children. CD4+ T-cell memory induction and APC deficiencies occur in LVR children.

First Page

1856

Last Page

1865

DOI

10.1093/infdis/jiad524

Volume

229

Issue

6

Publication Date

6-14-2024

Publisher

University of Chicago Press

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Infant; Female; Male; Cytokines; Infant, Newborn; Nasopharynx; Immunologic Memory; Antigen-Presenting Cells; Vaccination; Biomarkers

PubMed ID

37992188

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