Weihrauch MR, Bergwelt-Baildon MV, Kandic M, Weskott M, Klamp W, Rösler J, Schultze JL. T cell responses to hepatitis B surface antigen are detectable in non-vaccinated individuals. World J Gastroenterol 2008; 14(16): 2529-2533 [PMID: 18442200 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.14.2529]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Martin R Weihrauch, MD, Molekulare Tumorbiologie und Tumorimmunologie, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9, Köln 50924, Germany. martin.weihrauch@uni-koeln.de
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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 28, 2008; 14(16): 2529-2533 Published online Apr 28, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.2529
T cell responses to hepatitis B surface antigen are detectable in non-vaccinated individuals
Martin R Weihrauch, Michael von Bergwelt-Baildon, Milos Kandic, Martin Weskott, Winfried Klamp, Joachim Rösler, Joachim L Schultze
Martin R Weihrauch, Michael von Bergwelt-Baildon, Milos Kandic, Joachim L Schultze, Molecular Tumor Biology and Tumor Immunology, University of Cologne, Köln 50924, Germany
Martin R Weihrauch, Michael von Bergwelt-Baildon, Joachim L Schultze, Clinic I for Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, University of Cologne, Köln50924, Germany
Martin Weskott, Gesundheitsschutz, Wuppertaler Stadtwerke AG, Germany
Winfried Klamp, Joachim Rösler, Department for Occupational Health, University of Cologne, Köln50924, Germany
Author contributions: Weihrauch MR and von Bergwelt-Baildon M contributed equally to this work; Weihrauch MR wrote the paper; Bergwelt-Baildon MV assisted in data analysis and writing of the paper; Kandic M performed the methods and helped in data analysis; Weskott MR treated the subjects and provided samples; Klamp W treated the subjects and provided samples; Rösler J provided patient data and Schultze JL assisted in data analysis and writing of the paper.
Correspondence to: Martin R Weihrauch, MD, Molekulare Tumorbiologie und Tumorimmunologie, Universitätsklinikum Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str. 9, Köln 50924, Germany. martin.weihrauch@uni-koeln.de
Telephone: +49-221-4784407
Fax: +49-221-4787170
Received: September 7, 2007 Revised: January 19, 2008 Published online: April 28, 2008
Abstract
AIM: To evaluate, whether humoral hepatitis-B-vaccine non-responders also fail to mount a T cell response and to compare these results to normal vaccines.
METHODS: Fourty-seven health care employees were enrolled in this study including all available non-responders (n = 13) with an anti-HBsAg titer < 10 kU/L and all available low-responders (n = 12) with an anti-HBsAg titer < 100 kU/L. Also, 12 consecutive anti-HBsAg negative pre-vaccination subjects were enrolled as well as 10 subjects (+7 from the vaccinated group) with titers > 1000 kU/L as controls. PBMC from all subjects were analyzed by IFN-γ and IL-4 ELISPOT assays for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) reactive T cells.
RESULTS: Non-responders and low-responders had no or only very limited T cell responses, respectively. Individuals responding to vaccination with the induction of a high anti-HBsAg titer showed a strong T cell response after the third vaccination. Surprisingly, these individuals showed response even before the first vaccination. T cell response to control antigens and mitogens was similar in all groups.
CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that there is no general immune deficiency in non-/low-responders. Thus, we hypothesize that the induction of anti-HBsAg responses by vaccination is significantly dependent on the pre-existing T cell repertoire against the specific antigen rather than the presence of a general T cell defect.
