Impaired NK cell-mediated antiviral responses to HIV following BCG vaccination: implications for neonatal vaccination
Presentation Time: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Poster Board Number: B599
Abstract ID: 4927
Presenting Author:
Manuja Gunasena , Graduate Research Associate at Ohio State Univ. Col. of Med.
Abstract:
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is the only approved vaccine against tuberculosis (TB). BCG has been shown to elicit nonspecific protection as well as detrimental effects during diseases unrelated to TB. We investigate the impact of BCG on modulating NK cell responses and its effect on altering susceptibility to HIV acquisition. The C57BL/6 mouse model was used to compare splenic NK cell responses of control (n=4) and BCG vaccinated mice (n=4) following subsequent exposure to Mycobacterium bovis (Mtb) and HIV Gag peptide antigens. Statistical comparisons were made using Wilcoxon ranked sum test. The data acquired though flowcytometry suggested that mature, BCG trained memory-like (KLRG1+ Ly49H+) NK cells showed increased proinflammatory cytokine responses and polyfunctionality upon re-exposure to Mtb antigens. However, when these trained cells were exposed to HIV Gag antigen, we observed a significant reduction in cytokine production and polyfunctionality. Specifically, these BCG trained NK cells showed marked decrease in IFNγ, TNFα, IL1β and Granzyme B production alone or in combination (p<0.05). Furthermore, negative correlations between NK polyfunctionality and mature BCG trained NK cells were observed, following HIV Gag peptide exposure. This suggests that NK cells are impaired in their antiviral effects during HIV exposure, soon after BCG vaccination. This may suggest higher risk of HIV acquisition in BCG vaccinated neonates that are frequently exposed to HIV.
Impaired NK cell-mediated antiviral responses to HIV following BCG vaccination: implications for neonatal vaccination
Category
Poster and Podium (Block Symposium)