puc-header

BCG Vaccination Induces Trained Innate Immunity in Adults Over 50 Years of Age: A Randomized Trial in Guinea-Bissau

51 Pages Posted: 18 Jun 2020 Publication Status: Review Complete

See all articles by Mike L.T. Berendsen

Mike L.T. Berendsen

Odense University Hospital

Pauli Bles

Bandim Health Project - INDEPTH Network

L. Charlotte J. de Bree

Radboud University Medical Center - Department of Internal Medicine

Kristoffer J. Jensen

Odense University Hospital

Clara C. Jensen

Odense University Hospital

Christian Wejse

Department of Infectious Diseases

Delfim Vicente Mendes

Hospital Raoul Follereau

Mihai G. Netea

Radboud University Nijmegen - Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS)

Christine Stabell Benn

University of Southern Denmark - Odense Patient Data Explorative Network (OPEN); Bandim Health Project, INDEPTH Network

More...

Abstract

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has beneficial effects on overall morbidity and mortality in children and young adults. These effects have been linked to a heterologous increase of pro-inflammatory cytokine production by innate immune cells. It is unknown if BCG induces similar responses in older individuals. In Guinea-Bissau, we randomized 40 adults over 50 years of age to BCG-Japan or placebo. Two months after vaccination, BCG-Japan recipients had higher production of IFN-γ to M. tuberculosis stimulation and increased release of the pro-inflammatory innate cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α to non-specific stimuli. These effects were more pronounced among those with a positive QuantiFERON at baseline.  Thus, BCG-Japan can induce a ‘trained immunity’ phenotype in older adults. These effects were boosted in previously Mycobacterium tuberculosis exposed individuals. Studies are warranted to assess whether BCG vaccination could be a tool to provide partial protection against infectious diseases in the elderly, including the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.

Keywords: Bacille Calmette-Guérin, trained immunity, non-specific effects of vaccines, heterologous effects, immunosenescence, COVID-19.

Suggested Citation

Berendsen, Mike L.T. and Bles, Pauli and de Bree, L. Charlotte J. and Jensen, Kristoffer J. and Jensen, Clara C. and Wejse, Christian and Mendes, Delfim Vicente and Netea, Mihai G. and Benn, Christine Stabell, BCG Vaccination Induces Trained Innate Immunity in Adults Over 50 Years of Age: A Randomized Trial in Guinea-Bissau. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3611329 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3611329
This version of the paper has not been formally peer reviewed.

Mike L.T. Berendsen

Odense University Hospital ( email )

J. B. Winsløws Vej 4
Odense
Denmark

Pauli Bles

Bandim Health Project - INDEPTH Network ( email )

Bissau
Guinea-Bissau

L. Charlotte J. De Bree

Radboud University Medical Center - Department of Internal Medicine ( email )

Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10
Nijmegen
Netherlands

Kristoffer J. Jensen

Odense University Hospital

J. B. Winsløws Vej 4
Odense
Denmark

Clara C. Jensen

Odense University Hospital ( email )

J. B. Winsløws Vej 4
Odense
Denmark

Christian Wejse

Department of Infectious Diseases ( email )

Aarhus, 8200
Denmark

Delfim Vicente Mendes

Hospital Raoul Follereau ( email )

Mihai G. Netea

Radboud University Nijmegen - Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS)

6525 GA Nijmegen
Netherlands

Christine Stabell Benn (Contact Author)

University of Southern Denmark - Odense Patient Data Explorative Network (OPEN) ( email )

J. B. Winsløws Vej 4
Odense
Denmark

Bandim Health Project, INDEPTH Network ( email )

Bissau
Guinea-Bissau

Click here to go to Cell.com

Paper statistics

Downloads
48
Abstract Views
1,990
PlumX Metrics