1
|
Alfonso-Dunn R, Lin J, Lei J, Liu J, Roche M, De Oliveira A, Raisingani A, Kumar A, Kirschner V, Feuer G, Malin M, Sadiq SA. Humoral and cellular responses to repeated COVID-19 exposure in multiple sclerosis patients receiving B-cell depleting therapies: a single-center, one-year, prospective study. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1194671. [PMID: 37449202 PMCID: PMC10338057 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1194671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis patients treated with anti-CD20 therapy (aCD20-MS) are considered especially vulnerable to complications from SARS-CoV-2 infection due to severe B-cell depletion with limited viral antigen-specific immunoglobulin production. Therefore, multiple vaccine doses as part of the primary vaccination series and booster updates have been recommended for this group of immunocompromised individuals. Even though much less studied than antibody-mediated humoral responses, T-cell responses play an important role against CoV-2 infection and are induced efficiently in vaccinated aCD20-MS patients. For individuals with such decoupled adaptive immunity, an understanding of the contribution of T-cell mediated immunity is essential to better assess protection against CoV-2 infection. Here, we present results from a prospective, single-center study for the assessment of humoral and cellular immune responses induced in aCD20-MS patients (203 donors/350 samples) compared to a healthy control group (43/146) after initial exposure to CoV-2 spike antigen and subsequent re-challenges. Low rates of seroconversion and RBD-hACE2 blocking activity were observed in aCD20-MS patients, even after multiple exposures (responders after 1st exposure = 17.5%; 2nd exposure = 29.3%). Regarding cellular immunity, an increase in the number of spike-specific monofunctional IFNγ+-, IL-2+-, and polyfunctional IFNγ+/IL-2+-secreting T-cells after 2nd exposure was found most noticeably in healthy controls. Nevertheless, a persistently higher T-cell response was detected in aCD20-MS patients compared to control individuals before and after re-exposure (mean fold increase in spike-specific IFNγ+-, IL-2+-, and IFNγ+/IL-2+-T cells before re-exposure = 3.9X, 3.6X, 3.5X/P< 0.001; after = 3.2X, 1.4X, 2.2X/P = 0.002, P = 0.05, P = 0.004). Moreover, cellular responses against sublineage BA.2 of the currently circulating omicron variant were maintained, to a similar degree, in both groups (15-30% T-cell response drop compared to ancestral). Overall, these results highlight the potential for a severely impaired humoral response in aCD20-MS patients even after multiple exposures, while still generating a strong T-cell response. Evaluating both humoral and cellular responses in vaccinated or infected MS patients on B-cell depletion therapy is essential to better assess individual correlations of immune protection and has implications for the design of future vaccines and healthcare strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Saud A. Sadiq
- Tisch Multiple Sclerosis Research Center of New York, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Capasso N, Palladino R, Cerbone V, Spiezia AL, Covelli B, Fiore A, Lanzillo R, Carotenuto A, Petracca M, Stanziola L, Scalia G, Brescia Morra V, Moccia M. Ocrelizumab effect on humoral and cellular immunity in multiple sclerosis and its clinical correlates: a 3-year observational study. J Neurol 2023; 270:272-282. [PMID: 36048265 PMCID: PMC9813008 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11350-1] [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: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aim to evaluate 3-year effects of ocrelizumab (humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS)) on lymphocytes, neutrophils and immunoglobulins: (1) when compared with pre-infusion assessment; (2) over the course of treatment; and (3) possible clinical correlates of the observed immunological modifications. METHODS This real-world observational cohort study has been conducted on prospectively collected data from 78 MS patients (mean age 47.8 ± 10.5 years; females 48.7%) commencing on ocrelizumab from 2018, with mean follow-up of 36.5 ± 6.8 months. Clinical data and blood samples were collected every three months. Total lymphocyte count and subpopulations were assessed on peripheral blood using flow cytometry. Serum immunoglobulins were evaluated with nephelometry. RESULTS When compared with pre-infusion values, we observed reduction of total, CD19 and CD20 lymphocyte counts; however, after the first infusion, their levels remained substantially stable. Over time we observed a progressive reduction of CD8 lymphocytes, while no changes were observed for CD4, CD27, CD3CD27, and CD19CD27. After the first infusion, we observed reduction in IgG, which further decreased during the follow-up. Higher probability of EDSS progression was associated with reduced modulation of CD8 lymphocytes. INTERPRETATION Ocrelizumab affects both humoral and cellular immune responses. Disability progression over the follow-up was associated with lower CD8 cytotoxic T-lymphocyte reduction. Changes in humoral response are immediate and sustained, while modulation of cellular immunity occurs progressively through regular re-treatment, and is related to clinical stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Capasso
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Federico II University Hospital, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Palladino
- Department of Public Health, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Luca Spiezia
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Federico II University Hospital, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Bianca Covelli
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonia Fiore
- Centre for Advanced Biotechnology (CEINGE), Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Lanzillo
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Federico II University Hospital, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Carotenuto
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Federico II University Hospital, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Petracca
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Federico II University Hospital, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lucia Stanziola
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Giulia Scalia
- Centre for Advanced Biotechnology (CEINGE), Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Brescia Morra
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Federico II University Hospital, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Marcello Moccia
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Federico II University Hospital, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, Federico II University of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Giovannini D, Belbezier A, Baillet A, Bouillet L, Kawano M, Dumestre-Perard C, Clavarino G, Noble J, Pers JO, Sturm N, Huard B. Heterogeneity of antibody-secreting cells infiltrating autoimmune tissues. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1111366. [PMID: 36895558 PMCID: PMC9989216 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1111366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The humoral response is frequently dysfunctioning in autoimmunity with a frequent rise in total serum immunoglobulins, among which are found autoantibodies that may be pathogenic by themselves and/or propagate the inflammatory reaction. The infiltration of autoimmune tissues by antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) constitutes another dysfunction. The known high dependency of ASCs on the microenvironment to survive combined to the high diversity of infiltrated tissues implies that ASCs must adapt. Some tissues even within a single clinical autoimmune entity are devoid of infiltration. The latter means that either the tissue is not permissive or ASCs fail to adapt. The origin of infiltrated ASCs is also variable. Indeed, ASCs may be commonly generated in the secondary lymphoid organ draining the autoimmune tissue, and home at the inflammation site under the guidance of specific chemokines. Alternatively, ASCs may be generated locally, when ectopic germinal centers are formed in the autoimmune tissue. Alloimmune tissues with the example of kidney transplantation will also be discussed own to their high similarity with autoimmune tissues. It should also be noted that antibody production is not the only function of ASCs, since cells with regulatory functions have also been described. This article will review all the phenotypic variations indicative of tissue adaptation described so for at the level of ASC-infiltrating auto/alloimmune tissues. The aim is to potentially define tissue-specific molecular targets in ASCs to improve the specificity of future autoimmune treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diane Giovannini
- Department of Pathology, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France.,Translational Research in Autoimmunity and Inflammation Group (TRAIG), Translational Innovation in Medicine and Complexity (TIMC), University Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS Unité mixte de recherche (UMR) 5525, Grenoble, France
| | - Aude Belbezier
- Translational Research in Autoimmunity and Inflammation Group (TRAIG), Translational Innovation in Medicine and Complexity (TIMC), University Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS Unité mixte de recherche (UMR) 5525, Grenoble, France.,Department of Internal Medicine, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | - Athan Baillet
- Translational Research in Autoimmunity and Inflammation Group (TRAIG), Translational Innovation in Medicine and Complexity (TIMC), University Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS Unité mixte de recherche (UMR) 5525, Grenoble, France.,Department of Rheumatology, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | - Laurence Bouillet
- Translational Research in Autoimmunity and Inflammation Group (TRAIG), Translational Innovation in Medicine and Complexity (TIMC), University Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS Unité mixte de recherche (UMR) 5525, Grenoble, France.,Department of Internal Medicine, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | - Mitsuhiro Kawano
- Department of Rheumatology, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan
| | | | | | - Johan Noble
- Department of Nephrology, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | - Jacques-Olivier Pers
- B Lymphocytes, Autoimmunity and Immunotherapies, Brest University, INSERM, UMR1227, Brest, France.,Odontology Unit, Brest University Hospital, Brest, France
| | - Nathalie Sturm
- Department of Pathology, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France.,Translational Research in Autoimmunity and Inflammation Group (TRAIG), Translational Innovation in Medicine and Complexity (TIMC), University Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS Unité mixte de recherche (UMR) 5525, Grenoble, France
| | - Bertrand Huard
- Translational Research in Autoimmunity and Inflammation Group (TRAIG), Translational Innovation in Medicine and Complexity (TIMC), University Grenoble-Alpes, CNRS Unité mixte de recherche (UMR) 5525, Grenoble, France
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Baker D, Forte E, Pryce G, Kang AS, James LK, Giovannoni G, Schmierer K. The impact of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators on COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 69:104425. [PMID: 36470168 PMCID: PMC9678390 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.104425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sphingosine-one phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulation inhibits S1PR1-mediated lymphocyte migration, lesion formation and positively-impacts on active multiple sclerosis (MS). These S1PR modulatory drugs have different: European Union use restrictions, pharmacokinetics, metabolic profiles and S1PR receptor affinities that may impact MS-management. Importantly, these confer useful properties in dealing with COVID-19, anti-viral drug responses and generating SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses. OBJECTIVE To examine the biology and emerging data that potentially underpins immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus following natural infection and vaccination and determine how this impinges on the use of current sphingosine-one-phosphate modulators used in the treatment of MS. METHODS A literature review was performed, and data on infection, vaccination responses; S1PR distribution and functional activity was extracted from regulatory and academic information within the public domain. OBSERVATIONS Most COVID-19 related information relates to the use of fingolimod. This indicates that continuous S1PR1, S1PR3, S1PR4 and S1PR5 modulation is not associated with a worse prognosis following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Whilst fingolimod use is associated with blunted seroconversion and reduced peripheral T-cell vaccine responses, it appears that people on siponimod, ozanimod and ponesimod exhibit stronger vaccine-responses, which could be related notably to a limited impact on S1PR4 activity. Whilst it is thought that S1PR3 controls B cell function in addition to actions by S1PR1 and S1PR2, this may be species-related effect in rodents that is not yet substantiated in humans, as seen with bradycardia issues. Blunted antibody responses can be related to actions on B and T-cell subsets, germinal centre function and innate-immune biology. Although S1P1R-related functions are seeming central to control of MS and the generation of a fully functional vaccination response; the relative lack of influence on S1PR4-mediated actions on dendritic cells may increase the rate of vaccine-induced seroconversion with the newer generation of S1PR modulators and improve the risk-benefit balance IMPLICATIONS: Although fingolimod is a useful asset in controlling MS, recently-approved S1PR modulators may have beneficial biology related to pharmacokinetics, metabolism and more-restricted targeting that make it easier to generate infection-control and effective anti-viral responses to SARS-COV-2 and other pathogens. Further studies are warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Baker
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom.
| | - Eugenia Forte
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth Pryce
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Angray S Kang
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom; Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Dental Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Louisa K James
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin Giovannoni
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom; Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Klaus Schmierer
- Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom; Clinical Board Medicine (Neuroscience), The Royal London Hospital, Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Feige J, Berek K, Seiberl M, Hilpold P, Hitzl W, Di Pauli F, Hegen H, Deisenhammer F, Trinka E, Harrer A, Wipfler P, Moser T. Humoral Response to SARS-CoV-2 Antigen in Patients Treated with Monoclonal Anti-CD20 Antibodies: It Is Not All about B Cell Recovery. Neurol Int 2022; 14:943-951. [PMID: 36412697 PMCID: PMC9680461 DOI: 10.3390/neurolint14040075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-CD20 therapies decrease the humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 immunization. We aimed to determine the extent of the humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 antigens in correlation with peripheral B-cell dynamics among patients with central nervous system inflammatory disorders treated with anti-CD20 medications. We retrospectively included patients receiving anti-CD20 therapy after antigen contact who were divided into responders (>7 binding antibody units (BAU)/mL) and non-responders (<7 BAU/mL). In participants with first antigen contact prior to therapy, we investigated the recall response elicited once under treatment. We included 80 patients (responders n = 34, non-responders n = 37, recall cohort n = 9). The B-cell counts among responders were significantly higher compared to non-responders (mean 1012 cells/µL ± SD 105 vs. mean 17 cells/µL ± SD 47; p < 0.001). Despite very low B-cell counts (mean 9 cells/µL ± SD 20), humoral response was preserved among the recall cohort (mean 1653 BAU/mL ± SD 2250.1) and did not differ significantly from responders (mean 735 BAU/mL ± SD 1529.9; p = 0.14). Our data suggest that peripheral B cells are required to generate antibodies to neo-antigens but not for a recall response during anti-CD20 therapy. Evaluation of B-cell counts and pre-existing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies might serve as biomarkers for estimating the immune competence to mount a humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 antigens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Feige
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, European Reference Network EpiCARE, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Klaus Berek
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Seiberl
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, European Reference Network EpiCARE, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Patrick Hilpold
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, European Reference Network EpiCARE, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Hitzl
- Research Management (RM): Biostatistics and Publication of Clinical Studies Team, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Research Program Experimental Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Franziska Di Pauli
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Harald Hegen
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Florian Deisenhammer
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eugen Trinka
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, European Reference Network EpiCARE, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Neuroscience Institute, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Andrea Harrer
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, European Reference Network EpiCARE, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Peter Wipfler
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, European Reference Network EpiCARE, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Tobias Moser
- Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University and Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, European Reference Network EpiCARE, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +0043-57255-30300
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Piano Mortari E, Pulvirenti F. COVID-19 infection and vaccination in immunodeficiency. Clin Exp Immunol 2022; 209:259-261. [PMID: 35972956 PMCID: PMC9384801 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxac080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last 2 years and a half, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread worldwide, causing about 6 million deaths. Clinical manifestations are highly variable, ranging from entirely asymptomatic infection to multiorgan failure and death. The outcome in immunocompromised patients is still a matter of debate, and so are the optimal strategies to prevent or treat the infection in these high-risk populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eva Piano Mortari
- B cell unit, Immunology Research Area, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Viale di San Paolo, 00146 Rome, Italy.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Pulvirenti
- Reference Centre for Primary Immune Deficiencies, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Policlinico Umberto I, 00185 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Alfonso-Dunn R, Lin J, Kirschner V, Lei J, Feuer G, Malin M, Liu J, Roche M, Sadiq SA. Strong T-cell activation in response to COVID-19 vaccination in multiple sclerosis patients receiving B-cell depleting therapies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:926318. [PMID: 35990701 PMCID: PMC9388928 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.926318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunocompromised individuals, including multiple sclerosis (MS) patients on certain immunotherapy treatments, are considered susceptible to complications from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and specific vaccination regimens have been recommended for suitable protection. MS patients receiving anti-CD20 therapy (aCD20-MS) are considered especially vulnerable due to acquired B-cell depletion and impaired antibody production in response to virus infection and COVID-19 vaccination. Here, the humoral and cellular responses are analyzed in a group of aCD20-MS patients (n=43) compared to a healthy control cohort (n=34) during the first 6 months after a 2-dose cycle mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination. Both IgG antibodies recognizing receptor binding domain (RBD) from CoV-2 spike protein and their blocking activity against RBD-hACE2 binding were significantly reduced in aCD20-MS patients, with a seroconversion rate of only 23.8%. Interestingly, even under conditions of severe B-cell depletion and failed seroconversion, a significantly higher polyfunctional IFNγ+ and IL-2+ T-cell response and strong T-cell proliferation capacity were detected compared to controls. Moreover, no difference in T-cell response was observed between forms of disease (relapsing remitting- vs progressive-MS), anti-CD20 therapy (Rituximab vs Ocrelizumab) and type of mRNA-based vaccine received (mRNA-1273 vs BNT162b2). These results suggest the generation of a partial adaptive immune response to COVID-19 vaccination in B-cell depleted MS individuals driven by a functionally competent T-cell arm. Investigation into the role of the cellular immune response is important to identifying the level of protection against SARS-CoV-2 in aCD20-MS patients and could have potential implications for future vaccine design and application.
Collapse
|
8
|
Asplund Högelin K, Ruffin N, Pin E, Hober S, Nilsson P, Starvaggi Cucuzza C, Khademi M, Olsson T, Piehl F, Al Nimer F. B cell repopulation dynamics and drug pharmacokinetics impact SARS-CoV-2 vaccine efficacy in anti-CD20-treated multiple sclerosis patients. Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:3317-3328. [PMID: 35808856 PMCID: PMC9349816 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent findings document a blunted humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in patients on anti-CD20 treatment. Although most patients develop a cellular response, it is still important to identify predictors of seroconversion in order to optimize vaccine responses. METHODS We determined antibody responses after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in a real-world cohort of multiple sclerosis patients (n = 94) treated with anti-CD20, mainly rituximab, with variable treatment duration (median 2.9; range 0.4-9.6 years) and time from last anti-CD20 infusion to vaccination (median 190; range 60-1032 days). RESULTS We find that presence of B cells and/or rituximab in blood predict seroconversion better than time since last infusion. Using multiple logistic regression, presence of >0.5% B cells increased probability for seroconversion with an odds ratio (OR) of 5.0 (CI 1.0-28.1, p = 0.055), while the corresponding OR for ≥ 6 months since last infusion was 1.45 (CI 0.20-10.15, p = 0.705). In contrast, detectable rituximab levels were negatively associated with seroconversion (OR 0.05; CI 0.002-0.392, p = 0.012). Furthermore, naïve and memory IgG+ B cells correlated with antibody levels. Although re-treatment with rituximab at four weeks or more after booster depleted spike-specific B cells, it did not noticeably affect the rate of decline in antibody titers. Interferon-γ and/or interleukin-13 T cell responses to the spike S1 domain were observed in most patients, but with no correlation to spike antibody levels. CONCLUSIONS These findings are relevant for providing individualized guidance to patients and planning of vaccination schemes, in turn optimizing benefit-risk with anti-CD20.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Klara Asplund Högelin
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine L8:04, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicolas Ruffin
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine L8:04, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elisa Pin
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SciLifeLab, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sophia Hober
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SciLifeLab, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Nilsson
- Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SciLifeLab, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Chiara Starvaggi Cucuzza
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine L8:04, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohsen Khademi
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine L8:04, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Olsson
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine L8:04, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Piehl
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine L8:04, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Faiez Al Nimer
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Molecular Medicine L8:04, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Panisset MG, Kilpatrick T, Cofré Lizama LE, Galea MP. Implementing education: Personal communication with a healthcare professional is a critical step to address vaccine hesitancy for people with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 63:103933. [PMID: 35671672 PMCID: PMC9158244 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Background People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) were first able to access COVID-19 vaccines in Australia from March 2021, when vaccine hesitancy in the general population was high (14–43%). High uptake of vaccination is important globally and critical to protect this vulnerable population. We conducted an on-line survey to examine factors influencing COVID-19 vaccination willingness among PwMS in Australia. Methods 149 PwMS living in Australia completed the on-line survey (April-September 2021) examining demographic, environmental and clinical factors with respect to vaccine willingness, including attitudes towards COVID-19 illness and vaccines. Additional items explored the influence of different information sources on vaccination decisions. Continuous and ordinal data were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. All tests were two-tailed, with alpha set at 0.5. Results A majority of the respondents were female (87.2%) with relapsing-remitting MS (77.5%) treated by a neurologist (94.0%). A majority were on high efficacy disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) (64.9%), while 19.9% were on no DMTs. About one third of respondents (32.9%) had had two doses, 20.8% had received their first dose, and 22.1% were unvaccinated, while 24.2% of responses were missing. When asked about vaccine intentions, 60.6% of the unvaccinated indicated they were likely to extremely likely to get vaccinated, while 15.2% were very unlikely or extremely unlikely to do so and 24.2% were undecided. Unvaccinated people were significantly more concerned about vaccine side effects (mean 5.3 versus 3.1/10; p < .001). Only 53.3% of people on DMTs were vaccinated, compared to 75% of those who were not. People on ocrelizumab therapy (n = 35) had a lower vaccination rate (39%) than those on other medications (n = 86, 59%). Vaccine willingness in the unvaccinated was most highly correlated with knowledge regarding the vaccine (rs2=.709), agreement with the statement that COVID-19 vaccination is “too new for me to be confident about getting vaccinated” (rs2= -.709), anticipation of regret due to side effects of vaccination (rs2= -.642), and lack of knowledge regarding interactions between COVID-19 vaccines and DMTs (rs2= -.570). Almost two thirds had read MS-specific information about COVID-19 vaccinations and found it easy to understand (67.6%) and applicable to their situation (53.6%). However, less than half (47.8%) reported the information helped them make a personal vaccination decision. Over two-thirds (64.9%) had discussed vaccinations with their healthcare professional and 31.1% had not. Those who had not, were significantly more uninformed about the interactions of the vaccine with MS medications (mean 3.9 versus 2.9/10; p = .044) and significantly lower intention of vaccine uptake than those who had (mean 5.8 versus 7.9/10; p = .009). Conclusion Our study highlights that vaccination efforts should be delivered by healthcare professionals, focus on educating those who are managed with DMTs, and include individual recommendations related to specific DMTs, how the vaccines work, expectations regarding potential side-effects, potential exacerbation of MS symptoms, likelihood of recovery from any exacerbation, and the relative risks of side effects versus COVID-19 infection. Specific recommendations are provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M G Panisset
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Clinical Sciences Building 601, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia.
| | - T Kilpatrick
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Clinical Sciences Building 601, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia; MS Unit, Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan St, Melbourne, VIC 3050, Australia; Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, Level 5, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - L E Cofré Lizama
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Clinical Sciences Building 601, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia; School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - M P Galea
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Clinical Sciences Building 601, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia; Department of Rehabilitation, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Park Campus, 34-45 Poplar Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia; Australia Australian Rehabilitation Research Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Park Campus, 34-45 Poplar Rd, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Giovannoni G. How important are COVID-19 vaccine responses in patients with MS on disease-modifying therapies? Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 63:103803. [PMID: 35487035 PMCID: PMC8996445 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Giovannoni
- Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, 4 Newark Street, London E1 2AT, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|