Longitudinal Dynamics of Human B-Cell Response at the Single-Cell Level in Response to Tdap Vaccination.

Indu Khatri,Erik B Van Den Akker,Liesbeth E M Oosten,Annieck M Diks,Marcel J T Reinders,Jaap Jan Zwaginga,Magdalena A Berkowska,Jacques J M Van Dongen

doi:10.3390/vaccines9111352

Indu Khatri, Erik B Van Den Akker + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9111352

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Abstract

To mount an adequate immune response against pathogens, stepwise mutation and selection processes are crucial functions of the adaptive immune system. To better characterize a successful vaccination response, we performed longitudinal (days 0, 5, 7, 10, and 14 after Boostrix vaccination) analysis of the single-cell transcriptome as well as the B-cell receptor (BCR) repertoire (scBCR-rep) in plasma cells of an immunized donor and compared it with baseline B-cell characteristics as well as flow cytometry findings. Based on the flow cytometry knowledge and literature findings, we discriminated individual B-cell subsets in the transcriptomics data and traced over-time maturation of plasmablasts/plasma cells (PB/PCs) and identified the pathways associated with the plasma cell maturation. We observed that the repertoire in PB/PCs differed from the baseline B-cell repertoire e.g., regarding expansion of unique clones in post-vaccination visits, high usage of IGHG1 in expanded clones, increased class-switching events post-vaccination represented by clonotypes spanning multiple IGHC classes and positive selection of CDR3 sequences over time. Importantly, the Variable gene family-based clustering of BCRs represented a similar measure as the gene-based clustering, but certainly improved the clustering of BCRs, as BCRs from duplicated Variable gene families could be clustered together. Finally, we developed a query tool to dissect the immune response to the components of the Boostrix vaccine. Using this tool, we could identify the BCRs related to anti-tetanus and anti-pertussis toxoid BCRs. Collectively, we developed a bioinformatic workflow which allows description of the key features of an ongoing (longitudinal) immune response, such as activation of PB/PCs, Ig class switching, somatic hypermutation, and clonal expansion, all of which are hallmarks of antigen exposure, followed by mutation & selection processes.

Highlights

Along with understanding the dynamics of scBCR‐rep after Boostrix vaccination, with this pilot study, we aimed to assess the differences between the flow cytometry and single‐cell tran‐
We measured the transcriptomics and B‐cell receptor (BCR)‐rep data at the single‐cell level from the longitudinal samples obtained from an individual following Boostrix vaccination
Based on the 10 clusters/stages of the plasma cell maturation, we identified additional markers that might be changing during the maturation of the plasmablasts/plasma cells (PB/plasma cells (PCs)) (Figure 2E)

Summary

Introduction

The adaptation of the immune system to recognize antigenically distinct epitopes of pathogens is a critical feature of the antibody (Ab) ‐mediated immunity in response to infection/vaccination. BCR repertoire (BCR‐rep) starts during precursor B‐cell development in bone marrow, where developing B cells assemble immunoglobulin heavy (IGH) and light chain genes in the process of V(D)J recombination. B cells with a functional BCR leave the bone marrow and are ready to recognize antigens in the peripheral immune system. The BCR undergoes affinity maturation in the germinal centers (GCs) through introduction of somatic hypermutations (SHM) and subsequent selection processes for B cells with high‐affinity BCR [1]. The introduction and subsequent selection of SHM are critical steps in raising the appropriate immune response.

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