Long-lived memory B-cell responses following BCG vaccination

PLoS One. 2012;7(12):e51381. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051381. Epub 2012 Dec 11.

Abstract

The role of T-cells in immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection has been extensively studied, however, that of B-cells still remains comparatively unexplored. In this study, we determined the presence and frequencies of mycobacteria-specific memory B-cells (MBCs) in peripheral blood from clinically healthy, Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccinated (n = 79) and unvaccinated (n = 14) donors. Purified protein derivative (PPD)-specific MBCs were present in most donors (both vaccinated and unvaccinated) but their frequencies were significantly higher in vaccinated than in unvaccinated donors. MBCs specific for other mycobacterial antigens [antigen-85A (Ag85A), antigen-85B (Ag85B), 6 kDalton early secretory antigenic target (ESAT-6) and the 10 kDalton-culture filtrate protein (CFP-10)] were less prevalent than those recognising PPD. Furthermore, PPD-specific MBCs were detected in BCG vaccinated donors without ESAT-6 and CFP-10 specific responses. Together, these results indicate that BCG vaccination induces long-lived MBC responses. Similar patterns of response were seen when we examined mycobacteria-specific antibody and T-cell responses in these donors. Our data show for the first time that BCG vaccination elicits long-lived mycobacteria-specific MBC responses in healthy individuals, suggesting a more substantial role of B-cells in the response to BCG and other mycobacterial infections than previously thought.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Bacterial / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • BCG Vaccine / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis* / immunology
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis* / pathogenicity
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Tuberculosis* / immunology
  • Tuberculosis* / microbiology
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Antigens, Bacterial
  • BCG Vaccine