0681 AWAKE WITH THE ENEMY - VACCINATION RESPONSE IS REDUCED BY NOCTURNAL SHIFT WORK

Abstract

Sleep regulates immune functions. We investigated whether nocturnal shiftwork can influence the immune response upon vaccination. Thirty four healthy workers (23 females), nocturnal and diurnal shifts (17 day workers), were vaccinated against Meningococcal C (MenC) meningitis. Sleep was recorded polysomnographically and the compliance with the work schedule was evaluated with actigraphy. Humoral, cellular immune response and hormonal levels were assessed on baseline, 28 and 56 days after vaccination. Compared with day workers, the night workers showed increased inflammatory mediators (TNF-α and IL-6 levels) and a reduced specific humoral response to vaccination, N3 and REM sleep duration. The reduction of CD4 T lymphocytes, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) and prolactin levels, and, on the other hand, increased TReg and IL-10 levels in night workers corroborate a possible weaker humoral response nocturnal shift work-dependent. In addition, both sleep and circadian rhythm alterations were associated with the reduced humoral response of night workers: a decrease in the total sleep time (also revealed as a significant predictor) and an increase in the phase delay related to the nocturnal shift were associated with the reduction in the number of specific antibodies response. Our findings provide novel evidence about negative consequences of shift work on workers’ health based on real life circumstances. In association with circadian components, the total sleep time was essential for the Ag-specific immune response development, suggesting that the response to vaccination may be impaired in individuals with chronic sleep restriction and circadian misalignment. Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Pesquisa (AFIP), FAPESP (#2011/20316–7 F.S.R.; 2012/09700-2 M.T.M.), CNPq (401823/2012-1; L.R.B.).