Open AccessHow to assess the effectiveness of nasal influenza vaccines? Role and measurement of sIgA in mucosal secretions
Author(s) -
Gianchecchi Elena,
Manenti Alessandro,
Kistner Otfried,
Trombetta Claudia,
Manini Ilaria,
Montomoli Emanuele
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.12664
Subject(s) - immunology , saliva , mucosal immunity , immune system , antibody , live attenuated influenza vaccine , immunoglobulin a , medicine , secretory iga , virology , biology , virus , influenza vaccine , immunity , immunoglobulin g
Secretory IgAs (sIgA) constitute the principal isotype of antibodies present in nasal and mucosal secretions. They are secreted by plasma cells adjacent to the mucosal epithelial cells, the site where infection occurs, and are the main humoral mediator of mucosal immunity. Mucosally delivered vaccines, such as live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), are able to mimic natural infection without causing disease or virus transmission and mainly elicit a local immune response. The measurement of sIgA concentrations in nasal swab/wash and saliva samples is therefore a valuable tool for evaluating their role in the effectiveness of such vaccines. Here, we describe two standardized assays (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and microneutralization) available for the quantification of sIgA and discuss the advantages and limitations of their use.