Cell-Mediated Proteomics, and Serological and Mucosal Humoral Immune Responses after Seasonal Influenza Immunization: Characterization of Serological Responders and Non-Responders

Immunization against influenza through vaccination is the most effective method with which to prevent infection. To assess protection after immunization, analysing humoral response with a hemagglutinin inhibition assay is the gold standard, but cell-mediated immune response has been shown to better correlate with protection in the elderly. Our aim was to explore the influenza-specific cell-mediated and mucosal humoral responses in serologically defined responders and non-responders. We analysed sera for total immunoglobulins (Ig) A, G, and M and nasal swab samples for influenza-specific IgA. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with trivalent influenza vaccine VaxiGripTetra, and supernatants were analysed for influenza-specific responses with the Olink Immune-Oncology panel using a proximity extension assay. We included 73 individuals, of which 69 completed the study with follow-up sampling at one and six months post-vaccination. Of the 73, 51 (70%) were found to be serological responders and 22 (30%) were non-responders. We did not find any significant differences in sex or mucosal humoral response between responders and non-responders; however, a higher IFNγ/IL-10 ratio in individuals ≤65 years of age indicates an enhanced cell-mediated immune response in this age group. Characteristics of the non-responders were found to be higher levels of IgM, Granzyme B and Interleukin 12, and lower levels of C-X-C motif chemokine 13 compared with those of the responders. In conclusion, our results did not show any correlation between serological response and age. Furthermore, the majority of influenza-specific cell-mediated immune markers did not differ between responders and non-responders; the immune marker profile of the non-responders and its contribution to protection is of interest but needs to be further explored.