Researchers at the University of Missouri have found that even as obesity weakens antibody responses to vaccines, a specific type of lung immune cell steps in to help defend against infection.
The study, published in the Journal of Immunology, examined mice fed a high-fat diet to induce obesity and compared their immune responses to the Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine with those of mice on normal or low-fat diets.
Obese mice showed significantly reduced antibody production and persistence due to impaired function of the germinal center—a key structure in lymphoid tissues where B cells generate antibodies and build immune memory.
Despite the decline in antibody responses, the lungs of obese mice exhibited a strong increase in lung tissue-resident memory T cells (Trm) after vaccination. These cells, which reside in the lung tissue, actively surveil and defend against pathogens upon infection.
The findings suggest that while obesity may compromise traditional vaccine-induced immunity, the body compensates by enhancing localized immune defenses in the lungs.
This insight could inform the development of vaccines tailored to individuals with obesity, focusing on strengthening tissue-resident immunity rather than relying solely on antibody levels.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have found that while obesity weakens antibody responses to vaccines, a specific type of lung immune cell steps in to help defend against infection.
The study, published in the Journal of Immunology, examined mice fed a high-fat diet to induce obesity and compared their immune responses to the Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine with those of mice on normal or low-fat diets.
Obese mice showed significantly reduced antibody production and persistence due to impaired function of the germinal center—a key structure in lymphoid tissues where B cells generate antibodies and build immune memory.
Despite the decline in antibody responses, the lungs of obese mice exhibited a strong increase in lung tissue-resident memory T cells (Trm) after vaccination. These cells, which reside in the lung tissue, actively surveil and defend against pathogens upon infection.
The findings suggest that while obesity may compromise traditional vaccine-induced immunity, the body compensates by enhancing localized immune defenses in the lungs.
This insight could inform the development of vaccines tailored to individuals with obesity, focusing on strengthening tissue-resident immunity rather than relying solely on antibody levels.
