| dc.description.abstract | Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable disease worldwide. Pneumococcal
protein antigens are currently under study as components of potential vaccines that offer protection
against multiple serotypes. We have therefore characterized T cell pneumococcal immunity acquired through
asymptomatic carriage.
Methods. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 40 healthy Gambian adults were stimulated with supernatants
derived from S. pneumoniae strain (D39), 2 isogenic mutant strains lacking either pneumolysin or choline
binding protein A, and recombinant pneumolysin. Immune responses were measured by cellular proliferation and
by interleukin-10 (IL-10) and interferon-g (IFN-g) enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot and bioplex cytokine
assays. Nasopharyngeal swabs were cultured to determine carriage rates.
Results. S. pneumoniae nasopharyngeal carriage was detected in 60% of individuals. Both effector and resting
(or central) CD4+ T cell memory were frequently present to a range of pneumococcal antigens. However, the level
of the effector memory response did not relate to current nasopharyngeal carriage. Pneumolysin was not immunodominant in these T cell responses but induced a distinct proinflammatory profile (high IFN-g, IL-12[p40], and L-17 levels and low IL-10 and IL-13 levels).
Conclusions. In this population, T cell–mediated immunological memory potentially capable of pathogen
clearance and immune surveillance is common but is not associated with the absolute interruption of pneumococcal carriage. How this naturally acquired immune memory influences pneumococcal vaccine efficacy remains to be determined. | en |
