Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2406318 Vaccine 2007 7 Pages PDF
Abstract

To define the phenotypic characteristics and kinetics of T cell responses to a shingles vaccine in elderly individuals, 20 subjects ≥60 years of age received two doses of vaccine or placebo 6 weeks apart. VZV-specific T cell phenotypes and intracellular cytokines were determined by flow cytometry on blood mononuclear cells obtained pre-vaccination and up to 6 months after the second immunization. Results were compared with responses of five unvaccinated young adults. Pre-vaccination, elderly individuals had significantly lower VZV-specific effectors and cytokine-producing T cells compared with young adults. The vaccine significantly increased VZV-specific Th1, memory, early effector, and cutaneous homing receptor-bearing T cells.

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Life Sciences Immunology and Microbiology Immunology
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