Immune system response to Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharides and Varicella-zoster virus antigens

The immune system response to Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharides and Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antigens represents a multifaceted adaptive immune process rather than a single molecular target. Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharides are T-cell independent antigens that induce B-cells to produce serotype-specific IgG antibodies, which are essential for opsonizing the bacterial capsule and facilitating phagocytosis (CDC, 2022). In contrast, VZV antigens, such as glycoprotein E (gE), trigger both humoral and robust cell-mediated immunity, which is vital for controlling the latent virus and preventing herpes zoster (shingles) (Harpaz et al., 2008). Therapeutic intervention in this context typically involves active immunization using conjugate or polysaccharide vaccines for S. pneumoniae and recombinant or live-attenuated vaccines for VZV. These vaccines aim to prime the immune system to recognize these specific antigens upon subsequent exposure to the wild-type pathogens. Because this entry encompasses the entire immune apparatus reacting to multiple distinct antigens from different biological kingdoms, it does not qualify as a discrete therapeutic target like a receptor or enzyme. Instead, it describes the desired pharmacological outcome of vaccination programs targeting pneumonia and shingles.

Other names

Pneumococcal and VZV immune responseVaccine-induced immunity to Streptococcus pneumoniae and Varicella-zoster virusImmune response to PPSV23 and Shingrix antigensActive immunization against pneumococcus and shingles

Induction of active immunity through the presentation of bacterial polysaccharides and viral glycoproteins to the host immune system, leading to the production of specific antibodies and memory cells (PMID: 23099882, PMID: 29444331).