Comparison of Immunoglobulin G Subclass Profiles Induced by Measles Virus in Vaccinated and Naturally Infected Individuals

Abstract

A total of 258 human sera positive for measles antibodies were divided into four different groups: group 1 contained 54 sera from children after natural measles infection (immunoglobulin M [IgM] positive, early infection phase), group 2 contained 28 sera from children after measles vaccination (IgM positive, early infection phase), group 3 contained 100 sera from healthy adults (natural long-lasting immunity), and group 4 contained 76 sera from healthy children (postvaccinal long-lasting immunity). In the early phase of infection, the percent distributions of measles virus-specific IgG isotypes were similar between natural and postvaccinal immune responses. IgG1 and IgG4 were the dominant isotypes, with mean levels of detection of 100% (natural infection) and 100% (postvaccinal) for IgG1 and 96% (natural infection) and 92% (postvaccinal) for IgG4. In comparison, the IgG4 geometric mean titer (GMT) in the early phase of natural infection was significantly higher than the IgG4 GMT detected in the postvaccinal immune response (80 versus 13; 95% confidence interval). In the memory phase, IgG2 and IgG3 responses decreased significantly in both natural infection and postvaccinal groups, while IgG1 levels were maintained. In contrast, the IgG4 postvaccinal immune response decreased strongly in the memory phase, whereas IgG4 natural long-lasting immunity remained unchanged (9 versus 86%; P < 0.05). The results obtained suggest that IgG4 isotype could be used in the early phase of infection as a quantitative marker and in long-lasting immunity as a qualitative marker to differentiate between natural and postvaccinal immune responses.

Measles virus protein‐specific IgM, IgA, and IgG subclass responses during the acute and convalescent phase of infection

“…However, RSV-specific IgG 2 antibodies were described against the G protein and not the F-protein, which was explained by the heavy glycosylation of the G protein [Wagner et al, 1989]. A more recent study showed a transient measles virus-specific IgG 2 antibody response during the acute phase of measles virus infection [Isa et al, 2002], which could not be confirmed by the present study.…”

Measles‐Virus–Neutralizing Antibodies in Intravenous Immunoglobulins

“…Scharf et al [13] showed that the dominant neutralizing IgG subclass for HIV-1 in an experimentally produced HIV-specific immune globulin was IgG3, a subclass known to be extremely sensitive to protease treatment. Although previous work had shown that measles-virus-binding antibodies are primarily IgG1, the subclass profile of the functional (i.e., neutralizing) mnAb response in humans had been unknown [21,22]. The present report is the first to document the measles-virus-neutralizing activity of each IgG subclass, and it demonstrates that IgG1 has the highest specific measles-virus-neutralizing activity, with only a minor additional contribution from IgG3.…”

Age‐Dependent Differences in IgG Isotype and Avidity Induced by Measles Vaccine Received during the First Year of Life

“…Although increased levels of Th2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10 were not observed in response to measles vaccination in infants [11], IFN-g responses may be insufficient to induce a complete deployment of the Th1 response. The isotypes of MV-specific antibodies have been previously studied after immunization and natural infection [32][33][34][35][36]. These studies show that, in general, IgG3 is detected early and associated with decreasing levels over time, whereas levels of IgG1 continue to increase; IgG2 is rarely observed.…”