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Nelli F, Fabbri A, Virtuoso A, Giannarelli D, Marrucci E, Fiore C, Giron Berrios JR, Schirripa M, Signorelli C, Chilelli MG, Primi F, Panichi V, Caterini L, Farinelli S, Silvestri MA, Ruggeri EM. Herpes zoster after the third dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-BNT162b2 vaccine in actively treated cancer patients: a prospective study. Clin Exp Med 2024; 24:13. [PMID: 38244147 PMCID: PMC10799787 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-023-01263-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Several concerns have been raised about a causal relationship between COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccines and the development of herpes zoster (HZ). We performed a prospective analysis of the Vax-On-Third-Profile study to investigate the incidence of HZ after the third dose of mRNA-BNT162b2 (tozinameran) and its correlation with immune responses. Patients who had received a booster dose and had been actively treated for at least 8 weeks were eligible. Serologic assessment was performed before the third dose of tozinameran (timepoint-1) and 4 weeks later (timepoint-2). We also assessed the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections at predefined time points. The current analysis included 310 patients, of whom 109 (35.2%) and 111 (35.8%) were being treated with targeted therapies and cytotoxic chemotherapy, respectively. All participants received a third dose of tozinameran between September 26 and October 30, 2021. After a mean follow-up of 17.3 (IQR 15.1-18.4) months, HZ occurred in 8 recipients, for a cumulative incidence of 2.6%, and an incidence rate of 0.310 per person-year (95% CI 0.267-0.333). All HZ cases occurred within 30 days of booster dosing (range 5-29 days), with a median time to onset of 15 (IQR 9-22) days. Among the 7 patients (2.2%) who also contracted a SARS-CoV-2 infection, all cases preceded COVID-19 outbreaks. No instances of complicated HZ were reported. In multivariate analysis, impaired T helper and T cytotoxic cell counts independently correlated with HZ occurrence. These findings provide the first evidence that cancer patients on active treatment have a not negligible risk of developing HZ within 30 days after the third dose of tozinameran. The favorable clinical outcome of all observed cases confirms that protective effects of boosters in reducing the risk of severe COVID-19 outweigh the potential risk of HZ occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Nelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Strada Sammartinese Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy.
| | - Agnese Fabbri
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Strada Sammartinese Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Antonella Virtuoso
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Strada Sammartinese Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Diana Giannarelli
- Biostatistics Unit, Scientific Directorate, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Marrucci
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Strada Sammartinese Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Cristina Fiore
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Strada Sammartinese Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Julio Rodrigo Giron Berrios
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Strada Sammartinese Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Marta Schirripa
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Strada Sammartinese Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Carlo Signorelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Strada Sammartinese Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Mario Giovanni Chilelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Strada Sammartinese Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Francesca Primi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Strada Sammartinese Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Valentina Panichi
- Citofluorimetry Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Luciano Caterini
- Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Medicine, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Stefania Farinelli
- Infectious Disease Unit, Department of Medicine, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Maria Assunta Silvestri
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Enzo Maria Ruggeri
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Strada Sammartinese Snc, 01100, Viterbo, Italy
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Nelli F, Fabbri A, Botticelli A, Giannarelli D, Marrucci E, Fiore C, Virtuoso A, Berrios JRG, Scagnoli S, Pisegna S, Cirillo A, Panichi V, Massari A, Silvestri MA, Ruggeri EM. Immune responses and clinical outcomes following the third dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-BNT162b2 vaccine in advanced breast cancer patients receiving targeted therapies: a prospective study. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1280416. [PMID: 38023235 PMCID: PMC10662103 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1280416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Metastatic breast cancer patients are the most prevalent oncology population with advanced disease facing COVID-19 pandemic. Immune responses after mRNA-based vaccination during treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors or HER2-directed agents remain unclear. We conducted a prospective analysis to elucidate changes in antibody titers and lymphocyte counts following full course of mRNA-BNT162b2 (tozinameran) vaccination in recipients undergoing these targeted therapies. Methods Patients who had received a booster dosing and had been treated for at least 6 months were eligible. Antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were measured at four subsequent time points. Immunophenotyping of circulating lymphocytes was performed before the third dose of tozinameran and four weeks later to quantify the absolute counts of CD3+CD4+ T-helper cells, CD3+CD8+ T-cytotoxic cells, CD19+ B cells, and CD56+CD16+ NK cells. We also assessed the incidence of breakthrough infections and investigated whether immune changes affect time-to-treatment failure (TTF) after booster vaccination. Results The current analysis included 69 patients, of whom 38 (55%) and 31 (45%) were being treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors and HER2-targeted therapies, respectively. All participants received a third dose of tozinameran between September 23 and October 7, 2021. Multivariate analysis revealed that CDK4/6 inhibition predicted a significantly impaired humoral response after the booster dose. This detrimental effect was also evident for T-helper cell counts before the third immunization, but it disappeared in the subsequent evaluation. After a median follow-up of 22.3 months, we observed 19 (26%) cases of COVID-19 outbreaks, all experiencing favorable clinical outcomes. Univariate analysis showed a significant association between the onset of SARS-CoV-2 infections and the use of CDK4/6 inhibitors, as well as with an impaired antibody and T-helper cell response. Only the last two covariates remained independent predictors after multivariate testing. Dynamic variations in antibody titers and T-helper cell counts did not affect TTF in multivariate regression analysis. Conclusions Our results confirm that the immune response to tozinameran is impaired by CDK4/6 inhibitors, increasing the odds of breakthrough infections despite the third vaccine dose. Current evidence recommends maintaining efforts to provide booster immunizations to the most vulnerable cancer patients, including those with advanced breast cancer undergoing CDK4/6 inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Nelli
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Agnese Fabbri
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Andrea Botticelli
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Diana Giannarelli
- Biostatistics Unit, Scientific Directorate, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Marrucci
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Cristina Fiore
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Antonella Virtuoso
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Julio Rodrigo Giron Berrios
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Simone Scagnoli
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Pisegna
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Cirillo
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Pathological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Panichi
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Cytofluorimetry Unit, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Massari
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Pathology Unit, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Maria Assunta Silvestri
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Microbiology and Virology Unit, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Enzo Maria Ruggeri
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Medical Oncology and Breast Unit, Central Hospital of Belcolle, Viterbo, Italy
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Seija M, García-Luna J, Rammauro F, Brugnini A, Trías N, Astesiano R, Santiago J, Orihuela N, Zulberti C, Machado D, Recalde C, Yandián F, Guerisoli A, Noboa J, Orihuela S, Curi L, Bugstaller E, Noboa O, Nin M, Bianchi S, Tiscornia A, Lens D. Low switched memory B cells are associated with no humoral response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccine boosters in kidney transplant recipients. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1202630. [PMID: 37942335 PMCID: PMC10628322 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1202630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The humoral response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and boosters in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) is heterogeneous and depends on immunosuppression status. There is no validated immune measurement associated with serological response in clinical practice. Multicolor flow cytometric immunophenotyping could be useful for measuring immune response. This study aimed to study B- and T-cell compartments through Standardized EuroFlow PID Orientation after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and their association with IgG SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity status after two doses or boosters. Methods We conducted a multicenter prospective study to evaluate humoral response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in KTRs. Heterologous regimen: two doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 and two boosters of BNT162b2 mRNA (n=75). Homologous vaccination: two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA and one BNT162b2 mRNA booster (n=13). Booster doses were administrated to KTRs without taking into account their IgG SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity status. Peripheral blood samples were collected 30 days after the second dose and after the last heterologous or homologous booster. A standardized EuroFlow PID Orientation Tube (PIDOT) and a supervised automated analysis were used for immune monitoring cellular subsets after boosters. Results A total of 88 KTRs were included and divided into three groups according to the time of the first detected IgG SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity: non-responders (NRs, n=23), booster responders (BRs, n=41), and two-dose responders (2DRs, n=24). The NR group was more frequent on mycophenolate than the responder groups (NRs, 96%; BRs, 80%; 2DRs, 42%; p=0.000). Switched memory B cells in the 2DR group were higher than those in the BR and NR groups (medians of 30, 17, and 10 cells/ul, respectively; p=0.017). Additionally, the absolute count of central memory/terminal memory CD8 T cells was higher in the 2DR group than in the BR and NR groups. (166, 98, and 93 cells/ul, respectively; p=0.041). The rest of the T-cell populations studied did not show a statistical difference. Conclusion switched memory B cells and memory CD8 T-cell populations in peripheral blood were associated with the magnitude of the humoral response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Boosters increased IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 levels, CM/TM CD8 T cells, and switched MBCs in patients with seropositivity after two doses. Interestingly, no seropositivity after boosters was associated with the use of mycophenolate and a lower number of switched MBCs and CM/TM CD8 T cells in peripheral blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Seija
- Centro de Nefrología, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Fisiopatología, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Joaquin García-Luna
- Laboratorio de Citometría de Flujo, Departamento Básico de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Florencia Rammauro
- Departamento de Inmunobiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Andreína Brugnini
- Laboratorio de Citometría de Flujo, Departamento Básico de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Natalia Trías
- Laboratorio de Citometría de Flujo, Departamento Básico de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rossana Astesiano
- Centro de Nefrología, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - José Santiago
- Centro de Nefrología, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Natalia Orihuela
- Centro de Trasplante INU, Hospital Italiano, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | | | - Danilo Machado
- Centro de Trasplante, Hospital Evangélico, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Cecilia Recalde
- Centro de Trasplante, Hospital Evangélico, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Federico Yandián
- Centro de Nefrología, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana Guerisoli
- Centro de Nefrología, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Javier Noboa
- Centro de Nefrología, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Departamento de Inmunobiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sergio Orihuela
- Centro de Trasplante INU, Hospital Italiano, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Lilian Curi
- Centro de Trasplante INU, Hospital Italiano, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Emma Bugstaller
- Centro de Trasplante, Hospital Evangélico, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Oscar Noboa
- Centro de Nefrología, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Marcelo Nin
- Centro de Nefrología, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Centro de Trasplante INU, Hospital Italiano, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Sergio Bianchi
- Departamento de Fisiopatología, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Tiscornia
- Instituto Nacional de Donación y Trasplante, Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República y Ministerio de Salud Pública, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Daniela Lens
- Laboratorio de Citometría de Flujo, Departamento Básico de Medicina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Nelli F, Signorelli C, Fabbri A, Giannarelli D, Virtuoso A, Giron Berrios JR, Marrucci E, Fiore C, Schirripa M, Chilelli MG, Primi F, Panichi V, Topini G, Silvestri MA, Ruggeri EM. Changes in Peripheral Immune Cells after the Third Dose of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-BNT162b2 Vaccine and Disease Outcomes in Cancer Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Prospective Analysis of the Vax-on-Third-Profile Study. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3625. [PMID: 37509286 PMCID: PMC10377319 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines can deeply affect cell-mediated immune responses in immunocompromised recipients, including cancer patients receiving active treatments. The clinical implications of changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets following the third dose of mRNA-BNT162b2 vaccination (tozinameran) in patients on immune checkpoint blockade are not fully understood. We conducted a prospective analysis of the Vax-On-Third-Profile study to evaluate the impact of circulating lymphocyte dynamics on disease outcomes in this subgroup of patients. METHODS Recipients of booster dosing who had received before vaccination at least one course of an anti-PD-1/PD-L1 treatment for an advanced solid tumor were eligible. Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood was performed before the third dose of tozinameran (timepoint-1) and four weeks later (timepoint-2) to quantify the absolute counts of lymphocyte subpopulations, including CD3+CD4+ T cells, CD3+CD8+ T cells, B cells, and NK cells. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between lymphocyte subsets and durable clinical benefit (DCB). The log-rank test and Cox regression model were applied to evaluate the relationship between lymphocyte subpopulations and both vaccine-related time-to-treatment failure (V-TTF) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS We included a total of 56 patients with metastatic disease who were given a third dose of tozinameran between 23 September and 7 October 2021 (median age: 66 years; male: 71%). Most recipients had a diagnosis of lung cancer and were being treated with pembrolizumab or nivolumab. Compared to baseline, the third immunization resulted in an incremental change in the median counts of all lymphocyte subpopulations, which was statistically significant only for NK cells (p < 0.001). A significant correlation was found between NK cell counts and DCB at timepoint-2 (p < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis of DCB confirmed the predictive significance of high-level NK cell counts (p = 0.020). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, high-level NK cell counts independently predicted longer V-TTF [HR 0.34 (95% CI 0.14-0.80), p = 0.014] and OS [HR 0.36 (95% CI 0.15-0.89), p = 0.027]. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest expansion of NK cell counts as the most noteworthy change in circulating lymphocytes after the third dose of tozinameran in cancer patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1-targeted agents. This change correlated with enhanced therapeutic efficacy, improving the rate of disease control, and prolonging survival outcomes. Similar findings have not been previously reported, implying that they have proof-of-concept value and warrant further confirmation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Nelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Carlo Signorelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Agnese Fabbri
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Diana Giannarelli
- Biostatistics Unit, Scientific Directorate, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Virtuoso
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Julio Rodrigo Giron Berrios
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Eleonora Marrucci
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Cristina Fiore
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Marta Schirripa
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Mario Giovanni Chilelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Francesca Primi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Valentina Panichi
- Cytofluorimetry Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Topini
- Cytofluorimetry Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Maria Assunta Silvestri
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
| | - Enzo Maria Ruggeri
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Oncology and Hematology, Central Hospital of Belcolle, 01100 Viterbo, Italy
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Ciabattini A, Pastore G, Lucchesi S, Montesi G, Costagli S, Polvere J, Fiorino F, Pettini E, Lippi A, Ancillotti L, Tumbarello M, Fabbiani M, Montagnani F, Medaglini D. Trajectory of Spike-Specific B Cells Elicited by Two Doses of BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine. Cells 2023; 12:1706. [PMID: 37443740 PMCID: PMC10340653 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The mRNA vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 have demonstrated efficacy and immunogenicity in the real-world setting. However, most of the research on vaccine immunogenicity has been centered on characterizing the antibody response, with limited exploration into the persistence of spike-specific memory B cells. Here we monitored the durability of the memory B cell response up to 9 months post-vaccination, and characterized the trajectory of spike-specific B cell phenotypes in healthy individuals who received two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine. To profile the spike-specific B cell response, we applied the tSNE and Cytotree automated approaches. Spike-specific IgA+ and IgG+ plasmablasts and IgA+ activated cells were observed 7 days after the second dose and disappeared 3 months later, while subsets of spike-specific IgG+ resting memory B cells became predominant 9 months after vaccination, and they were capable of differentiating into spike-specific IgG secreting cells when restimulated in vitro. Other subsets of spike-specific B cells, such as IgM+ or unswitched IgM+IgD+ or IgG+ double negative/atypical cells, were also elicited by the BNT162b2 vaccine and persisted up to month 9. The analysis of circulating spike-specific IgG, IgA, and IgM was in line with the plasmablasts observed. The longitudinal analysis of the antigen-specific B cell response elicited by mRNA-based vaccines provides valuable insights into our understanding of the immunogenicity of this novel vaccine platform destined for future widespread use, and it can help in guiding future decisions and vaccination schedules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Ciabattini
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.P.); (S.L.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (J.P.); (F.F.); (E.P.); (D.M.)
| | - Gabiria Pastore
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.P.); (S.L.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (J.P.); (F.F.); (E.P.); (D.M.)
| | - Simone Lucchesi
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.P.); (S.L.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (J.P.); (F.F.); (E.P.); (D.M.)
| | - Giorgio Montesi
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.P.); (S.L.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (J.P.); (F.F.); (E.P.); (D.M.)
| | - Simone Costagli
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.P.); (S.L.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (J.P.); (F.F.); (E.P.); (D.M.)
| | - Jacopo Polvere
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.P.); (S.L.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (J.P.); (F.F.); (E.P.); (D.M.)
| | - Fabio Fiorino
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.P.); (S.L.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (J.P.); (F.F.); (E.P.); (D.M.)
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, LUM University “Giuseppe Degennaro”, 70010 Casamassima, Italy
| | - Elena Pettini
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.P.); (S.L.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (J.P.); (F.F.); (E.P.); (D.M.)
| | - Arianna Lippi
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.L.); (L.A.); (M.T.); (M.F.); (F.M.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Leonardo Ancillotti
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.L.); (L.A.); (M.T.); (M.F.); (F.M.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Mario Tumbarello
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.L.); (L.A.); (M.T.); (M.F.); (F.M.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Fabbiani
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.L.); (L.A.); (M.T.); (M.F.); (F.M.)
| | - Francesca Montagnani
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University Hospital of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.L.); (L.A.); (M.T.); (M.F.); (F.M.)
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Donata Medaglini
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.P.); (S.L.); (G.M.); (S.C.); (J.P.); (F.F.); (E.P.); (D.M.)
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