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Review
. 2015 Dec;21(12):789-801.
doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2015.10.005. Epub 2015 Nov 18.

Variability in Humoral Immunity to Measles Vaccine: New Developments

Iana H Haralambieva  1 , Richard B Kennedy  1 , Inna G Ovsyannikova  1 , Jennifer A Whitaker  2 , Gregory A Poland  3
Affiliations
Review

Variability in Humoral Immunity to Measles Vaccine: New Developments

Iana H Haralambieva et al. Trends Mol Med. 2015 Dec.

Abstract

Despite the existence of an effective measles vaccine, resurgence in measles cases in the USA and across Europe has occurred, including in individuals vaccinated with two doses of the vaccine. Host genetic factors result in inter-individual variation in measles vaccine-induced antibodies, and play a role in vaccine failure. Studies have identified HLA (human leukocyte antigen) and non-HLA genetic influences that individually or jointly contribute to the observed variability in the humoral response to vaccination among healthy individuals. In this exciting era, new high-dimensional approaches and techniques including vaccinomics, systems biology, GWAS, epitope prediction and sophisticated bioinformatics/statistical algorithms provide powerful tools to investigate immune response mechanisms to the measles vaccine. These might predict, on an individual basis, outcomes of acquired immunity post measles vaccination.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

Dr. Poland is the chair of a Safety Evaluation Committee for novel investigational vaccine trials being conducted by Merck Research Laboratories. Dr. Poland offers consultative advice on vaccine development to Merck & Co. Inc., CSL Biotherapies, Avianax, Dynavax, Novartis Vaccines and Therapeutics, Emergent Biosolutions, Adjuvance, and Microdermis. Drs. Poland and Ovsyannikova hold two patents related to vaccinia and measles peptide research. These activities have been reviewed by the Mayo Clinic Conflict of Interest Review Board and are conducted in compliance with Mayo Clinic Conflict of Interest policies. This research has been reviewed by the Mayo Clinic Conflict of Interest Review Board and was conducted in compliance with Mayo Clinic Conflict of Interest policies.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Naïve individuals (white color, no previous exposure to measles vaccine) are vaccinated with one or two doses of MMR vaccine. An array of non-genetic (upper box panel) and genetic factors (lower box panel) perturbate the development and/or persistence of measles-specific humoral immunity, leading to a spectrum (different shades of gray) of antibody titers in vaccinated individuals.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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