Baseline Assessment of Skin Resident Memory T Cells in Healthy Unvaccinated Participants

Since baseline punch biopsies were not preferred nor incorporated in the GeKoSkimm trial (= A randomized controlled trial to compare the immunogenicity and skin imprinting of intradermal, subcutaneous and intramuscular yellow fever vaccination) due to ethical and logistical reasons, studying tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells in a group of healthy unvaccinated participants is necessary to assess natural baseline levels of TRM cells in the skin before vaccination. The presence TRM cells in healthy and unvaccinated individuals provides a fundamental understanding of normal immune function and biological variability. This baseline data is essential for interpreting responses to vaccination in the GeKoSkimm trial and detecting any deviations or abnormalities that may arise and assess the baseline or background immune response in 'unvaccinated' skin. Therefore, 40 volunteers will be recruited that have not been previously vaccinated against yellow fever and will not receive a yellow fever vaccine during this study. The study consists of two study visits with 14 days (+/- 10 days) between each visit. Blood sampling of 15 mL is performed on the first visit (1X 10 mL Li-Hep + 5 mL SST) to confirm the vaccination status against yellow fever virus (YFV). Participants who turn out positive on the YFV virus neutralization test will be retrospectively excluded from analyses, and replaced with new participants. Skin biopsy sampling (2X 4 mm punch biopsy) in the upper arm is performed only on the second visit, with additional microsampling (microbiopsy and wound blood sampling).

Inclusion criteria

• BMI >/=18,5 kg/m2 and ≤35 kg/m2
• Agreement to share and discuss participant's medical history and medical records when relevant with the study team
• Able and willing to provide written informed consent
• Agreement to refrain from blood donation and other vaccinations during the study

Exclusion criteria

• Participants with a confirmed flavivirus infection in the past
• Participants who received a flavivirus vaccination prior to enrolment (e.g. YFV, Japanese encephalitis virus, tick-borne encephalitis virus, Dengue)
• Receipt of any vaccine (licensed or experimental) within 30 days prior to enrolment or during the study
• Active participation in another interventional clinical study with active substance intake or large medical procedures affecting the study procedures during or 1 month prior to enrolment
• Participant has a clinically significant acute illness (this does not include minor illnesses such as diarrhea or mild upper respiratory tract infection) or temperature ≥38.0ºC within 24 hours prior to the visit; inclusion at a later date is permitted at the discretion of the investigator
• Any confirmed or suspected immunosuppressive or immunodeficient state (incl. cancer and human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis B virus infection); asplenia; recurrent severe infections and use of immunosuppressant medication (including antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents or radiotherapy) within the last 6 months prior to enrolment, except topical or short-term oral steroids (<2 weeks of daily receipt of 20 mg of prednisone or equivalent). Refer to annex 1 for a list of immunosuppressive medication
• Severe and/or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, renal disease, endocrine disorder, psychiatric and neurological illness (mild/moderate well controlled comorbidities are allowed)
• History of bleeding disorder (e.g. factor deficiency, coagulopathy or platelet disorder), or prior history of significant bleeding or bruising following venipuncture
• Any significant disease, disorder or planned surgery which may affect the ability of the volunteer to participate in the study or impact (skin) immunity homeostasis
• Suspected or known alcohol or drug dependency
• Known pregnancy
• Tendency to keloid (scar) formation in response to skin damage
• Skin diseases or tattoo at the biopsy site
• In the opinion of the investigator, unlikely compliance to the requirements of the study
• History of thymus dysfunction (including myasthenia gravis, thymoma) or thymectomy
• Individuals who are working at the investigational site or within the research team of this study
• Participants who received immunoglobulins and/or any blood or blood derived products within 3 months preceding the study
• Participants who are currently on anticoagulant therapy
• Participants who are continuously using systemic antivirals