“We have known for some time that vaccine response changes with age, but we have not been clear on the mechanism nor the important role of inflammation,” said Rafick-Pierre Sékaly, PhD, one of the researchers.
The researchers from Case Western and Merck Research Laboratories studied hepatitis B virus-naïve older adults who received three vaccines, including one against hepatitis B vaccine. They discovered a correlation between heightened expression of genes that supplement B-cell responses, higher memory B-cell frequencies and stronger responses to the hepatitis B vaccine. They also identified a link between higher levels of inflammatory response transcripts, increased frequencies of pro-inflammatory innate cells and a weaker response to the vaccine.
By examining the gene expression of immune inflammatory pathways, the researchers have gotten one step closer to developing models to inform age-related vaccination schedules as well as treatments that might improve the effectiveness of vaccines, such as anti-inflammatory drugs.
To learn more about the study findings, click here.
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