Immune response induction and new effector mechanisms possibly involved inprotection conferred by the Cuban anti-meningococcal BC vaccine

This report explores the participation of some afferent mechanisms in the i mmune response induced by the Cuban anti-meningococcal vaccine VA-MENGOC-BC , The induction of delayed-type hypersensitivity in nursing babies and lymp hocyte proliferation after immunization is demonstrated. The presence of ga mma interferon IFN-gamma and interleukin-2 (IL-2) mRNAs but absence of IL-4 , IL-5, and IL-10 mRNAs were observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from immunized subjects after in vitro challenge with outer membrane vesic les. In addition, some effector functions were also explored. The presence of opsonic activity was demonstrated in sera from vaccinees, The role of ne utrophils as essential effector cells was shown. In conclusion, we have sho wn that, at least in the Cuban adult population, VA-MENGOC-BC induces mecha nisms with a T-helper 1 pattern in the afferent and effector branches of th e immune response.