Interferon-gamma ELISPOT problem

[Adamz]

Hi all, I'm new to the forum, but I have been mulling this over for a few weeks and I'd love a fresh take! Here's my problem:

 

- In an article RE the development of a dengue virus vaccine (link below), the authors state the following in the results:

 

"Long-lasting virus-neutralizing antibodies depend on a strong CD4+ helper T-cell response induced by the vaccine. However, the IFN-g ELISPOT assay failed to detect T-cell responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells... stimulated with purified dengue-1."

 

- I understand the value of looking at IFN-g when assessing CMI, but why oh why did they bring "long-lasting virus neutralizing antibodies" into the mix?

 

In the discussion, the authors go back to this point and state that it was perplexing that they observed lasting antibody responses without seeing a T-cell response, which is necessary for the former to occur.

 

Thanks for your help!

 

http://jvi.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/82/14/6927

[CharonY]

I am not sure where the problem is. I only skimmed the article and from what I saw it appears the authors observed a long-lasting antibody response (which was the goal of their work). However the associated T-helper cell response was not found.