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Vaccines
Special Issues
Human Immune Responses to Infection and Vaccination
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Human Immune Responses to Infection and Vaccination

A special issue of Vaccines (ISSN 2076-393X). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 4401

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Alexander Batista-Duharte

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Immunology and Allergy Group (GC01), Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), University of Cordoba, Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
Interests: vaccine-induced immune response; adjuvants; immune regulation; immunotoxicology of vaccines
Dr. Gabriel Cabrera

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratorio de Tecnología Inmunológica, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe, Argentina
Interests: vaccines; regulatory response; preclinical developments
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Developing effective preventive strategies against infectious diseases demands a thorough and robust understanding of human immune responses to infection and vaccination. This area of research delves into the intricate mechanisms involved in generating protective immune responses against pathogens for vaccine development. Recent research in this field has focused on developing innovative vaccine platforms and cutting-edge technologies (such as mRNA vaccines and viral vectors), as well as the use of new adjuvants to create next-generation vaccines with enhanced efficacy and safety. Additionally, immune regulation research explores ways to fine-tune the immune system in order to achieve optimal vaccine performance and eliminate undesirable side effects. Translational vaccinology aims to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical application, expediting the transition from bench to bedside. Another crucial area of research is centered around identifying measurable indicators or correlates that predict individual and herd protection. Therefore, understanding the dynamics of herd immunity is critical for shaping vaccination strategies at the population level. This Special Issue seeks original research articles and reviews on these and related topics.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Alexander Batista-Duharte
Dr. Gabriel Cabrera
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Vaccines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • vaccine immunogenicity
  • adjuvants
  • new generation of vaccines
  • vaccine development
  • immune regulation
  • translational vaccinology
  • system vaccinology
  • herd immunity
  • vaccine safety
  • correlates of protection

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 639 KiB  
Article
Optimizing Varicella Vaccination Strategy: A Study on Age and Dose Impacts on Antibody Levels
by Qing He, Yang Xu, Yilan Li, Pinting Zhu and Lei Luo
Vaccines 2025, 13(1), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13010023 - 30 Dec 2024
Viewed by 393
Abstract
Seropositivity study of Varicella in Healthy Populations in Guangzhou, China. Infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) leads to skin and mucous membranes blisters and the complications can be life threatening. A seroepidemiological study conducted from 2020 to 2022 in Guangzhou, China, aimed to evaluate [...] Read more.
Seropositivity study of Varicella in Healthy Populations in Guangzhou, China. Infection with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) leads to skin and mucous membranes blisters and the complications can be life threatening. A seroepidemiological study conducted from 2020 to 2022 in Guangzhou, China, aimed to evaluate varicella antibody levels. We measured varicella antibody concentrations using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A total of 3300 people were enrolled in the study. The mean varicella antibody level was 171.2 mIU/mL (95% CI: 158.9, 184.4), with an overall positivity rate of 67.00% (95% CI: 65.37, 68.60). The mean level of those positive subjective was 581.2 mIU/mL (95% CI: 552.3, 611.5). Varicella antibody levels were found to be influenced by age, vaccination dosage, and history of varicella infection. Antibody level increased with age and the number of vaccinations. The antibody induced by the varicella vaccine remained at protective levels for at least 6 years post-vaccination. We recommend two doses of the varicella vaccine for both children and adults and the integration of the varicella vaccine into the national routine immunization program. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Immune Responses to Infection and Vaccination)
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21 pages, 6847 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Immune Response Against Echinococcus Granulosus Through a CTLA-4/B7 Affinity-Based Vaccine
by Yuejie Zhu, Yueyue He, Ziyue Yin, Na Chen, Xingxing Qi, Jianbing Ding, Yujiao Li and Fengbo Zhang
Vaccines 2024, 12(12), 1440; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12121440 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1020
Abstract
Background: Echinococcosis is a zoonotic infectious disease that poses a significant threat to the health of individuals living in rural regions. While vaccination represents a potential strategy for disease prevention, there is currently no effective vaccine available for humans to prevent cystic echinococcosis [...] Read more.
Background: Echinococcosis is a zoonotic infectious disease that poses a significant threat to the health of individuals living in rural regions. While vaccination represents a potential strategy for disease prevention, there is currently no effective vaccine available for humans to prevent cystic echinococcosis (CE). This study aimed to design a novel multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) against Echinococcus granulosus for human use, employing immunoinformatics methods. Methods: We identified core epitopes from two key antigens, EgA31 and EgG1Y162, and integrated them into the immunoglobulin variable region of CTLA-4 (CTLA-4lgV) to create the CVE31-162 vaccine construct. The secondary and tertiary structures of the CVE31-162 were established using bioinformatics methods. The interaction between the CVE31-162 and B7 molecules was assessed through molecular dynamics simulations. Finally, both in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to validate the effectiveness of the CVE31-162 against the immunological effects of Echinococcus granulosus. Results: Bioinformatics analysis indicated that CVE31-162 exhibits favorable antigenicity, stability, and non-allergenicity. Furthermore, CVE31-162 demonstrated a stable three-dimensional structural model. Molecular docking (MD) and molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) revealed a strong binding affinity between CVE31-162 and B7 molecules. Immune simulation results suggested that the vaccine elicits robust humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that immunized mice exhibited significantly elevated levels of antigen-specific antibodies and enhanced lymphocyte proliferation compared to the control group. Conclusions: CVE31-162, which is based on the interaction between CTLA-4 and B7, represents a promising multi-epitope vaccine for Echinococcus granulosus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Immune Responses to Infection and Vaccination)
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15 pages, 1191 KiB  
Article
Protective Impact of Influenza Vaccination on Healthcare Workers
by Yimei Tian, Yue Ma, Jianchao Ran, Lifang Yuan, Xianhu Zeng, Lu Tan, Li Chen, Yifan Xu, Shaxi Li, Ting Huang and Hongzhou Lu
Vaccines 2024, 12(11), 1237; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12111237 - 30 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1025
Abstract
Background: Influenza vaccine uptake among healthcare workers is crucial for preventing influenza infections, yet its effectiveness needs further investigation. Objectives: This prospective observational study aimed to assess the protective effect of influenza vaccination among healthcare workers in Shenzhen. Methods: We enrolled 100 participants, [...] Read more.
Background: Influenza vaccine uptake among healthcare workers is crucial for preventing influenza infections, yet its effectiveness needs further investigation. Objectives: This prospective observational study aimed to assess the protective effect of influenza vaccination among healthcare workers in Shenzhen. Methods: We enrolled 100 participants, with 50 receiving the 2023–2024 quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) and 50 serving as unvaccinated controls. Epidemiological data were collected when the participants presented influenza-like illness. Serum samples were collected at three time points (pre-vaccination and 28 and 180 days after vaccination). Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay was performed against the strains included in the 2023–2024 QIV (H1N1, H3N2, BV and BY strains) to assess antibody protection levels. Demographics comparisons revealed no significant differences between the vaccinated and control groups (p > 0.05), ensuring group comparability. Results: The incidence of influenza-like illness was significantly lower in the vaccinated (18%) compared to the control group (36%; p = 0.046; OR = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.15 to 0.98). The vaccinated group also exhibited a higher rate of consecutive two-year vaccinations (48% vs. 24% in the control group, p < 0.05). Additionally, the vaccinated healthcare workers were more inclined to recommend vaccination to their families (80% vs. 48%, p < 0.05). HI titers against H1N1 (p < 0.01), H3N2 (p < 0.01), BV (p < 0.001) and BY (p < 0.01) significantly increased in the vaccinated group at 28 days post-vaccination. Moreover, a marked and sustained increase in HI titers against the H3N2 strain (p < 0.001) was observed at 180 days post-vaccination, highlighting the vaccine’s enduring impact on the immune response. The fold change in the HI titers, indicative of the magnitude of the immune response, was significantly higher for H1N1 (p < 0.01), H3N2 (p < 0.001), BV (p < 0.01) and BY (p < 0.05) among the vaccinated individuals compared to the control group, underscoring the vaccine’s efficacy in eliciting a robust and sustained antibody response. Conclusion: Influenza vaccination significantly reduces the incidence of influenza-like illness among healthcare workers and promotes a sustained immune response. The study supports the importance of annual vaccination for this group to enhance personal and public health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Immune Responses to Infection and Vaccination)
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17 pages, 650 KiB  
Article
Anti-RBD Antibody Levels and IFN-γ-Specific T Cell Response Are Associated with a More Rapid Swab Reversion in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis after the Booster Dose of COVID-19 Vaccination
by Alessandra Aiello, Serena Ruggieri, Assunta Navarra, Carla Tortorella, Valentina Vanini, Shalom Haggiag, Luca Prosperini, Gilda Cuzzi, Andrea Salmi, Maria Esmeralda Quartuccio, Anna Maria Gerarda Altera, Silvia Meschi, Giulia Matusali, Serena Vita, Simonetta Galgani, Fabrizio Maggi, Emanuele Nicastri, Claudio Gasperini and Delia Goletti
Vaccines 2024, 12(8), 926; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12080926 - 19 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1376
Abstract
This study investigated the incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections (BIs) and the time to swab reversion in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) after the booster dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. We enrolled 64 PwMS who had completed the three-dose mRNA vaccine [...] Read more.
This study investigated the incidence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections (BIs) and the time to swab reversion in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) after the booster dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. We enrolled 64 PwMS who had completed the three-dose mRNA vaccine schedule and had never experienced COVID-19 before. Among the 64 PwMS, 43.8% had BIs with a median time since the third vaccine dose of 155 days. BIs occurred more frequently in ocrelizumab-treated patients (64.7%). Patients with a relapsing-remitting MS course showed a reduced incidence of BIs compared with those with a primary-progressive disease (p = 0.002). Having anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) antibodies represented a protective factor reducing the incidence of BIs by 60% (p = 0.042). The majority of BIs were mild, and the only severe COVID-19 cases were reported in patients with a high Expanded Disability Status Scale score (EDSS > 6). The median time for a negative swab was 11 days. Notably, fingolimod-treated patients take longer for a swab-negativization (p = 0.002). Conversely, having anti-RBD antibodies ≥ 809 BAU/mL and an IFN-γ-specific T cell response ≥ 16 pg/mL were associated with a shorter time to swab-negativization (p = 0.051 and p = 0.018, respectively). In conclusion, the immunological protection from SARS-CoV-2 infection may differ among PwMS according to DMTs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human Immune Responses to Infection and Vaccination)
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