Relationship between Th1 and Th2 cytokine serum levels and immune response to Hepatitis B vaccination among Egyptian health care workers

J Immunoassay Immunochem. 2018;39(5):496-508. doi: 10.1080/15321819.2018.1509871. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination leads to both humoral and cellular immune responses and results in protecting levels of specific antibodies. The immune response to the vaccine and production of T-helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines vary among the individuals. Thus we aimed to investigate the relationship between Th1/Th2 cytokine serum levels and antibody production after HBV vaccination, hoping to improve the effectiveness of vaccination. A total of 90 health care workers had been vaccinated with triple doses of HB vaccine at 0, 1, and 6 months intervals. Two months after the third dose, anti-HBs titer, interferon gamma (INF-γ), and interleukin (IL)-13 serum levels were measured. There were 16 low-responders (anti-HBs = 10-150 IU/L), 41 moderate-responders (anti-HBs> 150< 1000 IU/L), and 33 high-responders (anti-HBs = 1000 IU/L). IFN-γ and IL-13 serum levels showed significant positive correlation with anti-HBs titer. We concluded that, decreased serum level of IFN-γ (Th1 cytokine) and IL-13 (Th2 cytokine) was associated with diminished production of anti-HBs antibodies after HB vaccination, suggesting that IFN-γ and IL-13 could play a significant role in the immune response to HB vaccination and could be used as vaccine adjuvants.

Keywords: Hepatitis B vaccine; IFN-γ and IL-13; Th1/Th2 cytokines.

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Adult
  • Cytokines / blood*
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Egypt
  • Female
  • Health Personnel
  • Healthy Volunteers
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th2 Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Cytokines
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines