Mumps virus-specific immune response outcomes and sex-based differences in a cohort of healthy adolescents

Despite high levels of MMR-II usage in the US, mumps outbreaks continue to occur. Evidence suggests that mumps vaccine-induced humoral immunity wanes over time. Relatively few studies have examined cell-mediated immunity or reported on sex-based differences. To better understand sex-based differences in the immune response to mumps vaccine, we measured neutralizing antibody titers and mumps-specific cytokine/ chemokine responses in a cohort of 748 adolescents and young adults after two doses of MMR vaccine. We observed significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers in females than in males (120.8 IU/mL, 98.7 IU/mL, p = 0.038) but significantly higher secretion levels of MIP-1 alpha, MIP-113, TNF alpha, IL-6, IFN gamma, and IL-113 in males compared to females. These data demonstrate that sex influences mumps-specific humoral and cell-mediated immune response outcomes, a phenomenon that should be considered during efforts to improve vaccines and prevent future outbreaks.

Automated summary

This study found that females have higher neutralizing antibody titers after receiving two doses of MMR vaccine, while males have higher secretion levels of certain cytokines.