Immunization is one of the most successful health intervention against infectious diseases. Since its introduction the mortality and incidence rate of many diseases reduced dramatically, as we have seen for instance with measles, rubella or diphtheria. Tetanus and diphtheria vaccines are among the most frequently used vaccines worldwide. However, it has been repeatedly reported an insufficient protection against both infectious diseases particularly for adult people. One critical aspect for a reduced efficacy of vaccination in old age is the detrimental influence of immunosenescence. In my project I try to discover and understand such detrimental effects of aging on the immune responses to tetanus and diphtheria.
In a study focusing on tetanus and diphtheria vaccination in humans, I could identify antigen-specific cytokine producing T-helper cells that correlated with a better immunity to diphtheria. Those T-helper cells produced for instance IL-21 and GM-CSF. To further investigate my findings we developed a tetanus/diphtheria vaccination mouse model. I could already observe a stronger antibody response with the simultaneous application of GM-CSF to the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine in the mice. To better understand this finding, I would like to study the response from different immune cells (monocytes, dendritic cells, T cells and B cells) in different organs (bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes) in young and aged mice following different vaccination strategies. Through my work, my ambition is to contribute to the improvement of healthy aging.
