Immunology for University Students

CD4 T cells promote innate and adaptive immune responses, but how vaccine-elicited CD4 T cells contribute to immune protection remains unclear. We evaluated whether induction of virus-specific CD4 T cells by vaccination would protect mice against infection with chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Immunization with vaccines that selectively induced CD4 T cell responses resulted in catastrophic inflammation and mortality after challenge with a persistent strain of LCMV. Immunopathology required antigen-specific CD4 T cells and was associated with a cytokine storm, generalized inflammation, and multi-organ system failure. Virus-specific CD8 T cells or antibodies abrogated the pathology. These data demonstrate that vaccine-elicited CD4 T cells in the absence of effective antiviral immune responses can trigger lethal immunopathology.

Adults account for 95 percent of individuals who die from vaccine-preventable diseases. Yet vaccination rates among adults remain “very low”. The latest feature film from Chain of Protection discusses the importance and need for adult immunisation in the fight against preventable infectious diseases.

Estamos llegando a límites insospechados. El movimiento anti-vacunas que últimamente está creciendo (por poner un ejemplo están llegando ya a Valencia las llamadas "small-pox parties") puede poner en jaque el sistema sanitario de muchos países.