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Bates JT, Lirette ST, Farmer AP, Bierdeman MA, Seyfarth KB, Ederer DR, Montgomery DD, Burnett GC, Pham AT, Marshall GD. Serological assessment of the durability of vaccine-mediated protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2308375. [PMID: 38361363 PMCID: PMC10877977 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2308375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Virus-neutralizing antibodies are often accepted as a correlate of protection against infection, though questions remain about which components of the immune response protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this small observational study, we longitudinally measured spike receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific and nucleocapsid (NP)-specific serum IgG in a human cohort immunized with the Pfizer BNT162b2 vaccine. NP is not encoded in the vaccine, so an NP-specific response is serological evidence of natural infection. A greater than fourfold increase in NP-specific antibodies was used as the serological marker of infection. Using the RBD-specific IgG titers prior to seroconversion for NP, we calculated a protective threshold for RBD-specific IgG. On average, the RBD-specific IgG response wanes below the protective threshold 169 days following vaccination. Many participants without a history of a positive test result for SARS-CoV-2 infection seroconverted for NP-specific IgG. As a group, participants who seroconverted for NP-specific IgG had significantly higher levels of RBD-specific IgG following NP-seroconversion. RBD-specific IgG titers may serve as one correlate of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. These titers wane below the proposed protective threshold approximately six months following immunization. Based on serological evidence of infection, the frequency of breakthrough infections and consequently the level of SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity in the population may be higher than what is predicted based on the frequency of documented infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- John T. Bates
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
- Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Seth T. Lirette
- School of Population Health, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Andrew P. Farmer
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Michael A. Bierdeman
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Kristina B. Seyfarth
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Dallas R. Ederer
- Medical Student Research Program, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Denise D. Montgomery
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Grace C. Burnett
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Amanda T. Pham
- Medical Student Research Program, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Gailen D. Marshall
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
- Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
- School of Population Health, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, USA
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Lovell JF, Miura K, Baik YO, Lee C, Lee JY, Park YS, Hong I, Lee JH, Kim T, Seo SH, Kim JO, Song M, Kim CJ, Choi JK, Kim J, Choo EJ, Choi JH. One-year antibody durability induced by EuCorVac-19, a liposome-displayed COVID-19 receptor binding domain subunit vaccine, in healthy Korean subjects. Int J Infect Dis 2024; 138:73-80. [PMID: 37944586 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.11.004] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE EuCorVac-19 (ECV-19), an adjuvanted liposome-displayed receptor binding domain (RBD) COVID-19 vaccine, previously reported interim Phase 2 trial results showing induction of neutralizing antibodies 3 weeks after prime-boost immunization. The objective of this study was to determine the longer-term antibody response of the vaccine. METHODS To assess immunogenicity 6 and 12 months after vaccination, participants in the Phase 2 trial (NCT04783311) were excluded if they: 1) withdrew, 2) reported COVID-19 infection or additional vaccination, or 3) exhibited increasing Spike (S) antibodies (representing possible non-reported infection). Following exclusions, of the 197 initial subjects, anti-S IgG antibodies and neutralizing antibodies were further assessed in 124 subjects at the 6-month timepoint, and 36 subjects at the 12-month timepoint. RESULTS Median anti-S antibody half-life was 52 days (interquartile range [IQR]:42-70), in the "early" period from 3 weeks to 6 months, and 130 days (IQR:97-169) in the "late" period from 6 to 12 months. There was a negative correlation between initial antibody titer and half-life. Anti-S and neutralizing antibody responses were correlated. Neutralizing antibody responses showed longer half-lives; the early period had a median half-life of 120 days (IQR:81-207), and the late period had a median half-life of 214 days (IQR:140-550). CONCLUSION These data establish antibody durability of ECV-19, using a framework to analyze COVID-19 vaccine-induced antibodies during periods of high infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan F Lovell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Yeong Ok Baik
- Eubiologics, R&D Center, EuBiologics Co., Ltd., Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Chankyu Lee
- Eubiologics, R&D Center, EuBiologics Co., Ltd., Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Jeong-Yoon Lee
- Eubiologics, R&D Center, EuBiologics Co., Ltd., Chuncheon, Korea
| | | | - Ingi Hong
- International Vaccine Institute, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jung Hyuk Lee
- International Vaccine Institute, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Taewoo Kim
- International Vaccine Institute, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Hwan Seo
- International Vaccine Institute, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Ouk Kim
- International Vaccine Institute, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Manki Song
- International Vaccine Institute, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chung-Jong Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae-Ki Choi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jieun Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Ju Choo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Jung-Hyun Choi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
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Francisco AF, Saade U, Jayawardhana S, Pottel H, Scandale I, Chatelain E, Liehl P, Kelly JM, Zrein M. Comparing in vivo bioluminescence imaging and the Multi-Cruzi immunoassay platform to develop improved Chagas disease diagnostic procedures and biomarkers for monitoring parasitological cure. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010827. [PMID: 36190992 PMCID: PMC9560623 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is a serious public health problem throughout Latin America. With 6 million people infected, there is a major international effort to develop new drugs. In the chronic phase of the disease, the parasite burden is extremely low, infections are highly focal at a tissue/organ level, and bloodstream parasites are only intermittently detectable. As a result, clinical trials are constrained by difficulties associated with determining parasitological cure. Even highly sensitive PCR methodologies can be unreliable, with a tendency to produce "false-cure" readouts. Improved diagnostic techniques and biomarkers for cure are therefore an important medical need. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Using an experimental mouse model, we have combined a multiplex assay system and highly sensitive bioluminescence imaging to evaluate serological procedures for diagnosis of T. cruzi infections and confirmation of parasitological cure. We identified a set of three antigens that in the context of the multiplex serology system, provide a rapid, reactive and highly accurate read-out of both acute and chronic T. cruzi infection. In addition, we describe specific antibody responses where down-regulation can be correlated with benznidazole-mediated parasite reduction and others where upregulation is associated with persistent infection. One specific antibody (IBAG39) highly correlated with the bioluminescence flux and represents a promising therapy monitoring biomarker in mice. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE Robust, high-throughput methodologies for monitoring the efficacy of anti-T. cruzi drug treatment are urgently required. Using our experimental systems, we have identified markers of infection or parasite reduction that merit assessing in a clinical setting for the longitudinal monitoring of drug-treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Fortes Francisco
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Shiromani Jayawardhana
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hans Pottel
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven Campus Kulak Kortrijk, Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Ivan Scandale
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Eric Chatelain
- Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - John M. Kelly
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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