The contribution of HLA class I antigens in immune status following two doses of rubella vaccination

Hum Immunol. 2004 Dec;65(12):1506-15. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2004.07.001.

Abstract

The variability of humoral and cellular immune responses modulated by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes is a significant factor in the protective effect of rubella vaccines. We performed HLA class I typing in a group of 346 healthy schoolchildren and young adults who previously received two doses of measles-mumps-rubella-II vaccine. Rubella virus-specific humoral (serum antibody) immunity and cell-mediated immunity (lymphocyte proliferation) were assessed. Median values for antibody levels and stimulation indices (SI) were 38.63 IU/ml and 2.29 IU/ml, respectively. The alleles that provided suggestive, but not conclusive, evidence of HLA association with rubella seropositivity were HLA-B*2705 (median, 24.68 IU/ml; p = 0.160), B*4501 (median, 61.22 IU/ml; p = 0.098), Cw*0303 (median, 30.34 IU/ml; p = 0.102) and Cw*0704 (median, 26.58 IU/ml; p = 0.144). These alleles approach, but do not achieve, statistical significance. Of all the alleles analyzed, HLA-B*3503 (median SI, 3.00; p = 0.031) and HLA-Cw*1502 (median SI, 3.19; p = 0.035) were positively associated with lymphoproliferative responses to rubella virus antigens, whereas the HLA-B*3901 (SI, 1.34; p = 0.066) allele was negatively associated. This suggests that class I HLA alleles may have limited associations with humoral and cellular immune responses to rubella vaccine. These data may facilitate our understanding of immune response variation in a genetically outbred heterogeneous population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alleles
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Child
  • Female
  • Genes, MHC Class I
  • HLA-A Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-B Antigens / genetics
  • HLA-C Antigens / genetics
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I*
  • Histocompatibility Testing
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Male
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / administration & dosage
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine / immunology
  • Rubella Vaccine / administration & dosage*
  • Rubella Vaccine / immunology*
  • Rubella virus / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • HLA-A Antigens
  • HLA-B Antigens
  • HLA-C Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine
  • Rubella Vaccine