Korean J Pediatr Infect Dis.  2013 Aug;20(2):53-62.

Cross-reaction of 6B and 19F Specific Antibodies to Serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A after Immunization with 7-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in Korean Children Aged 12-23 Months

• Kim KH
• Yang JY
• Park IH
• Lim SY

Abstract

PURPOSE
The cross-protection of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) against vaccine-related serotypes has been controversial. We investigated the serological properties of cross-protective antibodies against vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A induced in young children aged 12-23 months after booster immunization of PCV7.
METHODS
IgG and IgM antibody concentrations and opsonic index (OI) against vaccine serotypes 6B and 19F and vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A were measured by ELISA and opsonophagocytic killing assay (OPA) in 4 selected immunesera. The serological properties and antigenic specificity of protective antibodies were determined by IgM depletion of immunesera, OPA, and competitive OPA against serogroup 6 and 19 pneumococci.
RESULTS
Compared to pre-IgM depleted immunesera, OI of IgM-depleted immunesera against 6B and 19F decreased and OI against 6A, 6C, and 19A decreased, too. In competition OPA, free 6B and 19F polysaccharide completely inhibited the immune protection against vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A as well as vaccine types 6B and 19F.
CONCLUSIONS
The booster immunization of PCV7 certainly induced cross-protective antibodies against vaccine-related serotypes 6A, 6C, and 19A with both IgG and IgM isotypes. Furthermore, IgM antibodies are more highly contributed to opsonophagocytic activity against vaccine-related serotypes as well as most of vaccine types than do IgG antibodies. Further studies are needed for the more immunized sera in the children as well as adults.

Keyword

Streptococcus pneumoniae; Heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine; Antibodies; Immunoglobulin M; Cross protection

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Antibodies
Child
Cross Protection
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Epitopes
Homicide
Humans
Immunization
Immunization, Secondary
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulin M
Pneumococcal Vaccines
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Heptavalent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Antibodies
Epitopes
Immunoglobulin G
Immunoglobulin M
Pneumococcal Vaccines

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 IgG (A, C) and IgM (B, D) antibody concentrations to capsular serotypes 6B and 19F in four immune sera (EB-006, EB-008, EB-014 and EB-015) collected 1 month after PCV7 booster immunization before and after depletion of IgM antibodies.The levels of IgG and IgM were measured at a 250-fold sample dilution (A-D). IgM or IgG levels are shown for four immune sera after mock absorption (Mock-abs) and IgM absorption (Post-abs).

• 

  Fig. 2 Opsonophagocytic activity of antipneumococcal antibodies against pneumococcal serotypes 6B (A), 6A (B), 6C (C), 19F (D), and 19A (E) in four booster immune sera collected from young children aged 12-23 months 1 month after PCV7 immunization. Opsonic indices of IgM-absorbed fractions for four immune sera were measured after mock absorption and IgM absorption.

• 

  Fig. 3 Competitive opsonophagocytic killing assay. Opsonophagocytic killing activity of antipneumococcal antibodies against pneumococcal serotypes 6B (A), 6A (B), and 6C (C) were inhibited by adding free capsularpolysaccharide of serotype 6B. Opsonophagocytic killing activity of anti-serotypes 19F (D) and 19A (E) antibodies were inhibited by adding free capsularpolysaccharide of serotype 19F. The specificity of the opsonophagocytic killing activity for four booster immune sera was measured after mock absorption and IgM absorption.

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