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ABSTRACT Two different cell populations respond to potent T-cell-inducing vaccinations. The induction and loss of effector cells can be seen using an ex vivo enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay, but the more durable resting memory response is demonstrable by a cultured ELISPOT assay. The relationship of the early effector response to durable resting memory is incompletely understood. Effector phenotype is usually identified by gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production, but interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been specifically linked to the differentiation of memory cells. Here, IFN-γ- and IL-2-secreting effector cells were identified by an ex vivo ELISPOT assay 1 week after vaccination and compared with the resting memory responses detected by a cultured ELISPOT assay 3 months later. The different kinetics and induction of IL-2 by different vaccines and natural exposure are described. Furthermore, both early IFN-γ and IL-2 production independently predicted subsequent memory responses at 3 months in malaria-naïve volunteers, but only IFN-γ predicted memory in malaria-exposed volunteers. However, dual ELISPOT assays were also performed on malaria-exposed volunteers to identify cells producing both cytokines simultaneously. This demonstrated that double-cytokine-producing cells were highly predictive of memory. This assay may be useful in predicting vaccinations most likely to generate stable, long-term memory responses.

Original publication

DOI

10.1128/iai.00774-06

Type

Journal article

Journal

Infection and Immunity

Publisher

American Society for Microbiology

Publication Date

11/2006

Volume

74

Pages

6331 - 6338