The zwitterionic type I Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharide does not induce memory B cell formation in humans

Journal article

In contrast to other pneumococcal serotypes, which are thought to be T-independent antigens, type 1 . Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharide (Sp1) is a zwitterionic polysaccharide (ZPS). It has previously been shown to be processed and presented by antigen-presenting cells utilizing the MHC-II pathway, which leads to Sp1-induced T cell proliferation, a hallmark of thymus-dependent immune responses. We used peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from adults enrolled in a randomised clinical trial to investigate memory B cell responses following immunisation with the 23-valent pneumococcal plain polysaccharide vaccine. Administration of this serotype 1 containing vaccine resulted in the depletion of serotype 1 antigen-specific pre-existing memory B cells compared to baseline. This finding indicates that this ZPS is not processed by a classical TD mechanism within the MHC-II pathway. © 2012 Elsevier GmbH.

Authors: Trück, J; Lazarus, R; Clutterbuck, E; Bowman, J; Kibwana, E

• Journal: Immunobiology
• Volume: 218
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 368-372
• Publication date: 2013-03-01
• DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2012.05.008
• EISSN: 1878-3279
• ISSN: 0171-2985
• Language: English
• Keywords: Vaccination; Memory; Zwitterionic polysaccharide; B cells; Antibodies; Streptococcus pneumoniae; Antigen presentation/processing