Enumeration of Haemagglutinin-specific CD8⁺ T Cells after Influenza Vaccination Using MHC Class I Peptide Tetramers

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of immunology Vol. 67; no. 1; pp. 86 - 94
• Main Authors: Krnic, E. Kosor, Gagro, A, Drazenovic, V, Kuzman, I, Jeren, T, Cecuk-Jelicic, E, Kerhin-Brkljacic, V, Gjenero-Margan, I, Kaic, B, Rakusic, S, Sabioncello, A, Markotic, A, Rabatic, S, Mlinaric-Galinovic, G, Dekaris, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Oxford, UK : Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2008; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - cytology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - virology; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus - administration & dosage; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus - immunology; HLA-A Antigens - immunology; HLA-A2 Antigen; Humans; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - immunology; Influenza Vaccines - administration & dosage; Influenza Vaccines - immunology; Lymphocyte Count; Middle Aged; Neuraminidase - administration & dosage; Neuraminidase - immunology; Peptides - immunology; Vaccines, Subunit - administration & dosage; Vaccines, Subunit - immunology
• ISSN: 0300-9475; 1365-3083
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2007.02042.x

With emergence of MHC class I tetramers loaded with CD8⁺ T-cell viral epitopes, it is possible to study virus-specific CD8 cells in humans during infection and after vaccination. MHC class I tetramers was used to detect the frequency of haemagglutinin (HA)-specific T cells in 26 healthy influenza-vaccinated humans. Peripheral blood was collected before, and 7, 14 and 28 days after vaccination. Four-colour flow cytometry was used for monitoring of vaccine induced T-cell response. In 15 donors, two- to fivefold increase in frequency of HA-specific T cells was observed 7 days after vaccination. In addition, in 12 of these donors, this increase was accompanied with fourfold increase of H1N1 antibody titre. The increase in frequency of HA-specific CD8⁺/IFN-γ⁺ cells was low and peaked 28 days after vaccination in three of the six donors tested. Frequencies of HA-specific CD8⁺ T cells and antibody titre returned to prevaccination values 1 year after vaccination. Subunit influenza vaccines have the ability to induce HA-specific CD8⁺ cells. As the immune response to this vaccine decreased significantly after 1 year, our results confirm the importance of annual immunization for adequate protection.