Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research

Department of Medicine, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center, 109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401, USA

Publications

• Research   
  IgM Memory B Cell Heterogeneity in Immune Responses to Pneumococcal Vaccination in HIV-positive and Healthy Individuals
  Author(s): Myroslawa Happea*, Bethany Wolf, Ronald Washburna, Heather Hughesa, Wei Jianga and Julie Westerinka
  
  Background: Both normal aging and HIV infection impact B cell functionality and lead to activation of resting B cells, memory cell depletion and altered gene expression. As a result, HIV+ individuals and the elderly fail to demonstrate robust and durable immune responses against pneumococcal polysaccharides. Herein, we assessed altered B cell function in high risk groups by utilizing single cell technology. Methods: HIV-positive individuals with CD4+T cell counts >200 on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and HIV-negative individuals age groups 21-40 and 50-65 received pneumococcal vaccination. Serum IgG and IgM PPS-specific antibodies were measured pre- and post-immunization using ELISA method. Evaluation of B cells was performed using flow cytometry and single cell RT-PCR. Results: IgM memory B cells are imp.. Read More»
  

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