Comparison of long-term humoral memory development after immunisation against Neisseria meningitidis B or diphtheria toxoid

Since genome sequence data became available there has been a marked increase in number of protein antigens that have been suggested as prospective vaccine components against Neisseria meningitidis B (MenB). Few studies have addressed the mechanisms by which meningococcal vaccines generate and sustain immunological memory. The goal of this study was to compare the B-cell response (antibody-secreting cells [ASC], memory B cell and IgG) evoked by a MenB vaccine (VA-MENGOC-BC®) with the B-cell response to diphtheria toxoid (DT) induced by a successful vaccine (Diphtheria–Tetanus–Pertussis [DTP]). The results showed different kinetics of specific ASC response after the primary and booster immunisations. Concerning the specific ASC kinetics, MenB vaccine induced a strong primary response, but the recall response showed a limited power over time. In contrast, DTP primary ASC response was weaker than the booster responses. We observed an increase in the relative percent of memory B cells after 1, 2 and 3 doses of MenB vaccine (mean of 0.8%, 1.3% and 1.6%, respectively) but without statistical significance. Similar frequencies were detected after boosting given at 4 months (mean of 1.3%) or 6 months (mean of 0.9%) following the third dose. DT specific memory B cell response showed a slight lower magnitude after the primary immunisation schedule (mean of 1.2% after the third dose) compared with the MenB response. However, a stronger memory B cell response was induced by booster doses of DTP vaccine at 4 months (mean of 1.9%) or 6 months (mean of 1.9%). The kinetics of specific IgG induced by both vaccines was similar, suggesting that memory B cells were responsible for the strong antibody response seen after the booster vaccination.