Dengue Virus-Specific Memory T Cell Responses in Human Volunteers Receiving a Live Attenuated Dengue Virus Type 2 Candidate Vaccine

Abstract

A live attenuated dengue virus type 2 candidate vaccine (16681-PDK53) was evaluated in a phase I trial in 10 nonimmune adult volunteers. The dengue virus-specific memory T cell responses were analyzed as part of this study. Dengue virus-specific T cell proliferative responses were observed in all subjects after stimulating their peripheral blood mononuclear cells with live viruses or noninfectious viral antigens. The highest proliferative response was against dengue virus type 2, although cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses was detected to a lesser degree in some subjects. Dengue virus type 2-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocytes were generated in all vaccinees. This study investigated whether the candidate vaccine was efficacious in inducing dengue virus-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺T cell memory after a single immunization in nonimmune recipients.