Helminth Infections Suppress the Efficacy of Vaccination against Seasonal Influenza

Publication date: 19 November 2019Source: Cell Reports, Volume 29, Issue 8Author(s): Wiebke Hartmann, Marie-Luise Brunn, Nadine Stetter, Nicola Gagliani, Franziska Muscate, Stephanie Stanelle-Bertram, Gülsah Gabriel, Minka BreloerSummaryHelminth parasites infect more than a quarter of the human population and inflict significant changes to the immunological status of their hosts. Here, we analyze the impact of helminth infections on the efficacy of vaccinations using Litomosoides sigmodontis-infected mice. Concurrent helminth infection reduces the quantity and quality of antibody responses to vaccination against seasonal influenza. Vaccination-induced protection against challenge infections with the human pathogenic 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus is drastically impaired in helminth-infected mice. Impaired responses are also observed if vaccinations are performed after clearance of a previous helminth infection, suggesting that individuals in helminth-endemic areas may not always benefit from vaccinations, even in the absence of an acute and diagnosable helminth infection. Mechanistically, the suppression is associated with a systemic and sustained expansion of interleukin (IL)-10-producing CD4+CD49+LAG-3+ type 1 regulatory T cells and partially abrogated by in vivo blockade of the IL-10 receptor.Graphical Abstract
Source: Cell Reports - Category: Cytology Source Type: research