Study finds BCG revaccination in adults enhanced pro-inflammatory markers of trained immunity along with anti-inflammatory pathways

A study by immunologists from St John’s Research Institute has found that Bacille Calmette-Guerin revaccination in adults enhanced pro-inflammatory markers of trained immunity along with anti-inflammatory pathways. Beyond the phenomenon of boosting immunity, our findings showed that BCG revaccination can programme circulating white blood cells such that the induced immune response is more controlled and balanced in terms of expression of immune factors that drive versus counter inflammation,” Professor Vyakarnam, who is heading the study, told The Hindu. Accumulating evidence suggests that once exposed to BCG, these key immune cells remain actively reprogrammed and ready to rapidly respond not just in the fight against Mycobacterium tuberculosis but also to other infectious organisms, leading to a new paradigm termed “trained innate immunity” in immunology,” she explained. “We are delighted to be the first on the Indian track probing the deep immune waters of BCG revaccination and hope that further funding will help shed light on the wider mechanistic impact of BCG revaccination on infection and immunity in the young, old, and those with chronic ailments,” she said.