Cholera antibody production in vitro by peripheral blood lymphocytes following oral immunization of humans and mice
Lycke, N.; Lindholm, L.; Holmgren, J.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology 62(1): 39-47
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9104 PMID: 4064375 Document Number: 265091
We have studied specific antibody production from peripheral bloody lymphocytes (PBL) after oral cholera immunization of humans and mice. Two oral immunizations with cholera toxin (CT) in mice or a single dose of the combined cholera B-subunit/whole cell vaccine in humans gave rise to PBL which spontaneously secreted cholera-specific antibodies when cultured in vitro. A high proportion of IgA antibodies was seen in contrast to antibodies produced by PBL after parenteral immunization which were predominantly IgG. Cultured PBL produced antitoxin as well as anti-lipopolysaccharide antibodies after oral immunization, whereas serum only revealed titre rises for anti-CT. Antibody-secreting PBL appeared in the blood 2-4 days after immunization and persisted for about two weeks with a peak after 6-8 days. Mitogen stimulation in vitro of PBL from multiply-orally vaccinated humans activated a population of specific IgM antibody-secreting cells which persisted for several months following immunization, suggesting the presence of long-lived memory cells. The analysis of IgA antibody production from in-vitro cultured PBL seems to be a promising technique to assess the local immunogenicity of oral vaccines.