Dendritic cell function and T cell responses to influenza viruses in patients with X-Linked agammaglobulinemia

Abstract

Immunodeficiency patients have high risks for influenza infection. X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a primary immunodeficiency characterized by the deficiency of humoral immunity. Hence, cellular immune response becomes more important for these patients. However, little is known about the non-humoral immune responses to influenza virus in XLA patients. Here, we examined the APC function and T-cell immune responses to influenza viruses in XLA patients. Monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells (imMDDCs) from XLA patients had normal maturation upon inactivated influenza virus stimulation in terms of surface molecule expressions and cytokine productions. The T-cell stimulatory capacity of influenza virus-treated imMDDCs determined by mixed lymphocyte reactions from XLA patients was also similar as that from normal controls. There were no obvious side effects in XLA patients after administration of trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV). TIV significantly induced influenza virus-specific CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses in XLA patients. The frequencies of influenza virus-specific memory/effector CD4 and CD8 T cells in XLA patients are comparable to that in normal controls during 6 months of observation after vaccination. Our results indicated that XLA patients have normal APC function and T cell responses to influenza virus. Influenza vaccination may provide some benefits to XLA patients for influenza infection, at least reducing the severity of illness.