Open AccessDelayed adaptive immunity is related to higher MMR vaccine‐induced antibody titers in children
Author(s) -
Strömbeck Anna,
Lundell AnnaCarin,
Nordström Inger,
Andersson Kerstin,
Adlerberth Ingegerd,
Wold Agnes E,
Rudin Anna
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
clinical and translational immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.321
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2050-0068
DOI - 10.1038/cti.2016.20
Subject(s) - measles , rubella , immunity , immunization , immunology , antibody , mmr vaccine , immune system , medicine , antibody titer , rubella vaccine , acquired immune system , measles mumps rubella vaccine , vaccination , titer , measles vaccine , biology
There are notable inter‐individual variations in vaccine‐specific antibody responses in vaccinated children. The aim of our study was to investigate whether early‐life environmental factors and adaptive immune maturation prior and close to measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) immunization relate to magnitudes of vaccine‐specific antibody titers. In the FARMFLORA birth cohort, including both farming and non‐farming families, children were immunized with the MMR vaccine at 18 months of age. MMR vaccine‐induced antibody titers were measured in plasma samples obtained at 36 months of age. Infants’ blood samples obtained at birth, 3–5 days and at 4 and 18 months of age were analyzed for T‐ and B‐cell numbers, proportions of naive and memory T and B cells, and fractions of putative regulatory T cells. Multivariate factor analyses show that higher anti‐MMR antibody titers were associated with a lower degree of adaptive immune maturation, that is, lower proportions of memory T cells and a lower capacity of mononuclear cells to produce cytokines, but with higher proportions of putative regulatory T cells. Further, children born by cesarean section (CS) had significantly higher anti‐measles titers than vaginally‐born children; and CS was found to be associated with delayed adaptive immunity. Also, girls presented with significantly higher anti‐mumps and anti‐rubella antibody levels than boys at 36 months of age. These results indicate that delayed adaptive immune maturation before and in close proximity to immunization seems to be advantageous for the ability of children to respond with higher anti‐MMR antibody levels after vaccination.