Intestinal Microbiota in New-born Infants Impacts Vaccine Response
Infants of HIV infected mothers have been shown to have altered composition and diversity of gut microbiota. The researchers investigated whether HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU) infants who have inherited altered microbiota also have a poor response to vaccines.
The study was completed by using a germ-free mouse model where the relationship between stool microbiota in HEU infants and the BCG vaccine was investigated. BCG vaccine Th1 responses were assessed and later BCG specific T cells were quantified.
Mouse pups that were gavaged with high responder stool (Phr) samples had a significantly lower spleen cell count and a significantly higher proportion of effector memory CD4 T cells (CD4+CD44hiCD62Llo) relative to low responder stool (Plr). And the” total number of B cells and neutrophils were significantly reduced in Phr vs Plr”. When the mice were vaccinated with BCG; “Phr displayed significantly higher number of TB10.4-specific CD8 T cells compared to Plr.”
Dr Heather Jaspan and her cohorts showed that there is a direct role of the microbiota in inherent immunity in infants. The microbiota in low responder HEU infants caused a reduced number of specific CD8 T cells. This study shows for the first time that the gut microbiota in human infants at birth impacts the child’s vaccine response.
Read the paper - Impact of Gut Microbiota on Vaccine Response in HIV Exposed Infants
Article by Bonamy Holtak