Cutting edge: long-term B cell memory in humans after smallpox vaccination.

Abstract

Memory B cells are a central component of humoral immunity, and yet little is known about their longevity in humans. Immune memory after smallpox vaccination (DryVax) is a valuable benchmark for understanding the longevity of B cell memory in the absence of re-exposure to Ag. In this study, we demonstrate that smallpox vaccine-specific memory B cells last for >50 years in immunized individuals. Virus-specific memory B cells initially declined postimmunization, but then reached a plateau approximately 10-fold lower than peak and were stably maintained for >50 years after vaccination at a frequency of approximately 0.1% of total circulating IgG(+) B cells. These persisting memory B cells were functional and able to mount a robust anamnestic Ab response upon revaccination. Additionally, virus-specific CD4(+) T cells were detected decades after vaccination. These data show that immunological memory to DryVax vaccine is long-lived and may contribute to protection against smallpox.

• Authors: Shane Crotty, Phil Felgner, Huw Davies, John Glidewell, Luis Villarreal, Rafi Ahmed
• Journal: Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) (J Immunol) Vol. 171 Issue 10 Pg. 4969-73 (Nov 15 2003) ISSN: 0022-1767 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14607890 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• DryVax vaccine
• Smallpox Vaccine
• Vaccines, Attenuated

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Antibodies, Viral (blood)
• B-Lymphocyte Subsets (cytology, immunology, metabolism)
• Cell Survival (immunology)
• Cells, Cultured
• Child
• Female
• Humans
• Immunization Schedule
• Immunologic Memory
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Smallpox Vaccine (administration & dosage, immunology)
• Vaccines, Attenuated (administration & dosage, immunology)
• Vaccinia virus (immunology)