1
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Benede N, Tincho MB, Walters A, Subbiah V, Ngomti A, Baguma R, Butters C, Hahnle L, Mennen M, Skelem S, Adriaanse M, Facey-Thomas H, Scott C, Day J, Spracklen TF, van Graan S, Balla SR, Moyo-Gwete T, Moore PL, MacGinty R, Botha M, Workman L, Johnson M, Goldblatt D, Zar HJ, Ntusi NA, Zühlke L, Webb K, Riou C, Burgers WA, Keeton RS. Distinct T cell polyfunctional profile in SARS-CoV-2 seronegative children associated with endemic human coronavirus cross-reactivity. iScience 2024; 27:108728. [PMID: 38235336 PMCID: PMC10792240 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection in children typically results in asymptomatic or mild disease. There is a paucity of studies on SARS-CoV-2 antiviral immunity in African children. We investigated SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses in 71 unvaccinated asymptomatic South African children who were seropositive or seronegative for SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cell responses were detectable in 83% of seropositive and 60% of seronegative children. Although the magnitude of the CD4+ T cell response did not differ significantly between the two groups, their functional profiles were distinct, with SARS-CoV-2 seropositive children exhibiting a higher proportion of polyfunctional T cells compared to their seronegative counterparts. The frequency of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cells in seronegative children was associated with the endemic human coronavirus (HCoV) HKU1 IgG response. Overall, the presence of SARS-CoV-2-responding T cells in seronegative children may result from cross-reactivity to endemic coronaviruses and could contribute to the relative protection from disease observed in SARS-CoV-2-infected children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ntombi Benede
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Marius B. Tincho
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Avril Walters
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Vennesa Subbiah
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Amkele Ngomti
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Richard Baguma
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Claire Butters
- Division of Paediatric Rheumatology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Lina Hahnle
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Mathilda Mennen
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Sango Skelem
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Marguerite Adriaanse
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Heidi Facey-Thomas
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Christiaan Scott
- Division of Paediatric Rheumatology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Jonathan Day
- Division of Paediatric Rheumatology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Timothy F. Spracklen
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Cape Heart Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council, Francie Van Zijl Drive, Parow Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Strauss van Graan
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
- SA MRC Antibody Immunity Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Sashkia R. Balla
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
- SA MRC Antibody Immunity Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Thandeka Moyo-Gwete
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
- SA MRC Antibody Immunity Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Penny L. Moore
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
- SA MRC Antibody Immunity Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, Durban, South Africa
| | - Rae MacGinty
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Maresa Botha
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lesley Workman
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marina Johnson
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - David Goldblatt
- Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Heather J. Zar
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit on Child and Adolescent Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Ntobeko A.B. Ntusi
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town and Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, South Africa
- Cape Heart Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Liesl Zühlke
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Cape Heart Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- South African Medical Research Council, Francie Van Zijl Drive, Parow Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kate Webb
- Division of Paediatric Rheumatology, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Crick African Network, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Catherine Riou
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Wendy A. Burgers
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Wellcome Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
| | - Roanne S. Keeton
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, University of Cape Town, Observatory, South Africa
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2
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Philpott JD, Miller J, Boribong BP, Charles S, Davis JP, Kazimierczyk S, Jimena B, Leonard MM, Shreffler WG, Fasano A, Yonker LM, Jain N. Antigen-specific T cell responses in SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-vaccinated children. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101298. [PMID: 38016480 PMCID: PMC10772322 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101298] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines elicit humoral responses in children that are comparable to those in adults. However, early-life T cell responses are distinct from adult ones, and questions remain about the nature and kinetics of mRNA vaccine-induced T cell responses in children. We report that Pfizer BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination elicits a significant antigen-specific CD4+ T cell response in the ≥12-year-old cohort. This response is weaker in magnitude in the 5- to 11-year-old cohort and is not improved by a higher vaccine dose (Moderna mRNA1273, 100 μg), suggesting distinct developmental programming that may underscore early-life T cell immunity. Increased effector phenotypes of antigen-specific T cells in younger children correspond with elevated anti-receptor binding domain antibody levels, albeit at the cost of memory generation. These studies highlight aspects of age-specific adaptive immune responses and the need for careful consideration of priming conditions including vaccine dose and adjuvant in the pediatric population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan D Philpott
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 114 16(th) Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Jordan Miller
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 114 16(th) Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Brittany P Boribong
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 114 16(th) Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Pediatric Allergy and Immunology and Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, 175 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Saeina Charles
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 114 16(th) Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Jameson P Davis
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 114 16(th) Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Simon Kazimierczyk
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 114 16(th) Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Brittany Jimena
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 114 16(th) Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Maureen M Leonard
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 114 16(th) Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wayne G Shreffler
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology and Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, 175 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Alessio Fasano
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 114 16(th) Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Pediatric Allergy and Immunology and Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, 175 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Lael M Yonker
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 114 16(th) Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Pediatric Allergy and Immunology and Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital, 175 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Nitya Jain
- Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, 114 16(th) Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Center for Computational and Integrative Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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3
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da Silva Antunes R, Weiskopf D, Sidney J, Rubiro P, Peters B, Arlehamn CSL, Grifoni A, Sette A. The MegaPool Approach to Characterize Adaptive CD4+ and CD8+ T Cell Responses. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e934. [PMID: 37966108 PMCID: PMC10662678 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Epitopes recognized by T cells are a collection of short peptide fragments derived from specific antigens or proteins. Immunological research to study T cell responses is hindered by the extreme degree of heterogeneity of epitope targets, which are usually derived from multiple antigens; within a given antigen, hundreds of different T cell epitopes can be recognized, differing from one individual to the next because T cell epitope recognition is restricted by the epitopes' ability to bind to MHC molecules, which are extremely polymorphic in different individuals. Testing large pools encompassing hundreds of peptides is technically challenging because of logistical considerations regarding solvent-induced toxicity. To address this issue, we developed the MegaPool (MP) approach based on sequential lyophilization of large numbers of peptides that can be used in a variety of assays to measure T cell responses, including ELISPOT, intracellular cytokine staining, and activation-induced marker assays, and that has been validated in the study of infectious diseases, allergies, and autoimmunity. Here, we describe the procedures for generating and testing MPs, starting with peptide synthesis and lyophilization, as well as a step-by-step guide and recommendations for their handling and experimental usage. Overall, the MP approach is a powerful strategy for studying T cell responses and understanding the immune system's role in health and disease. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Generation of peptide pools ("MegaPools") Basic Protocol 2: MegaPool testing and quantitation of antigen-specific T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo da Silva Antunes
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI); La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Daniela Weiskopf
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI); La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - John Sidney
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI); La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Paul Rubiro
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI); La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Bjoern Peters
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI); La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Alba Grifoni
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI); La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI); La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA, USA
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4
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Pérez-Nicado R, Massa C, Rodríguez-Noda LM, Müller A, Puga-Gómez R, Ricardo-Delgado Y, Paredes-Moreno B, Rodríguez-González M, García-Ferrer M, Palmero-Álvarez I, Garcés-Hechavarría A, Rivera DG, Valdés-Balbín Y, Vérez-Bencomo V, García-Rivera D, Seliger B. Comparative Immune Response after Vaccination with SOBERANA ® 02 and SOBERANA ® plus Heterologous Scheme and Natural Infection in Young Children. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1636. [PMID: 38005968 PMCID: PMC10675375 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11111636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: In children, SARS-CoV-2 infection is mostly accompanied by mild COVID-19 symptoms. However, multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) and long-term sequelae are often severe complications. Therefore, the protection of the pediatric population against SARS-CoV-2 with effective vaccines is particularly important. Here, we compare the humoral and cellular immune responses elicited in children (n = 15, aged 5-11 years) vaccinated with the RBD-based vaccines SOBERANA® 02 and SOBERANA® Plus combined in a heterologous scheme with those from children (n = 10, aged 4-11 years) who recovered from mild symptomatic COVID-19. (2) Methods: Blood samples were taken 14 days after the last dose for vaccinated children and 45-60 days after the infection diagnosis for COVID-19 recovered children. Anti-RBD IgG and ACE2-RBD inhibition were assessed by ELISA; IgA, cytokines, and cytotoxic-related proteins were determined by multiplex assays. Total B and T cell subpopulations and IFN-γ release were measured by multiparametric flow cytometry using a large panel of antibodies after in vitro stimulation with S1 peptides. (3) Results: Significant higher levels of specific anti-RBD IgG and IgA and ACE2-RBD inhibition capacity were found in vaccinated children in comparison to COVID-19 recovered children. Th1-like and Th2-like CD4+ T cells were also significantly higher in vaccinated subjects. IFN-γ secretion was higher in central memory CD4+ T cells of COVID-19 recovered children, but no differences between both groups were found in the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell effector, terminal effector, and naïve T cell subpopulations. In contrast to low levels of IL-4, high levels of IL-2, IL-6, IFN-γ, and IL-10 suggest a predominant Th1 cell polarization. Cytotoxic-related proteins granzyme A and B, perforin, and granulin were also found in the supernatant after S1 stimulation in both vaccinated and recovered children. (4) Conclusions: Vaccination with the heterologous scheme of SOBERANA® 02/SOBERANA® Plus induces a stronger antibody and cellular immune response compared to natural infections in young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocmira Pérez-Nicado
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Chiara Massa
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School “Theodor Fontane”, 14770 Brandenburg, Germany;
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Laura Marta Rodríguez-Noda
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Anja Müller
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Rinaldo Puga-Gómez
- Pediatric Hospital “Juan Manuel Márquez”, Havana 11500, Cuba; (R.P.-G.); (Y.R.-D.)
| | | | - Beatriz Paredes-Moreno
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Meiby Rodríguez-González
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Marylé García-Ferrer
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Ilianet Palmero-Álvarez
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Aniurka Garcés-Hechavarría
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Daniel G. Rivera
- Laboratory of Synthetic and Biomolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Havana, Havana 10400, Cuba;
| | - Yury Valdés-Balbín
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Vicente Vérez-Bencomo
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Dagmar García-Rivera
- Finlay Vaccine Institute, 200 and 21 Street, Havana 11600, Cuba; (R.P.-N.); (L.M.R.-N.); (B.P.-M.); (M.R.-G.); (M.G.-F.); (I.P.-Á.); (A.G.-H.); (Y.V.-B.); (V.V.-B.)
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute for Translational Immunology, Brandenburg Medical School “Theodor Fontane”, 14770 Brandenburg, Germany;
- Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University, 06112 Halle (Saale), Germany;
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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5
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Lalia JK, Schild R, Lütgehetmann M, Dunay GA, Kallinich T, Kobbe R, Massoud M, Oh J, Pietzsch L, Schulze-Sturm U, Schuetz C, Sibbertsen F, Speth F, Thieme S, Witkowski M, Berner R, Muntau AC, Gersting SW, Toepfner N, Pagel J, Paul K. Reduced Humoral and Cellular Immune Response to Primary COVID-19 mRNA Vaccination in Kidney Transplanted Children Aged 5-11 Years. Viruses 2023; 15:1553. [PMID: 37515239 PMCID: PMC10384144 DOI: 10.3390/v15071553] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The situation of limited data concerning the response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations in immunocom-promised children hinders evidence-based recommendations. This prospective observational study investigated humoral and T cell responses after primary BNT162b2 vaccination in secondary immunocompromised and healthy children aged 5-11 years. Participants were categorized as: children after kidney transplantation (KTx, n = 9), proteinuric glomerulonephritis (GN, n = 4) and healthy children (controls, n = 8). Expression of activation-induced markers and cytokine secretion were determined to quantify the T cell response from PBMCs stimulated with peptide pools covering the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan Hu-1 and Omicron BA.5. Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain were quantified in serum. Seroconversion was detected in 56% of KTx patients and in 100% of the GN patients and controls. Titer levels were significantly higher in GN patients and controls than in KTx patients. In Ktx patients, the humoral response increased after a third immunization. No differences in the frequency of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells between all groups were observed. T cells showed a predominant anti-viral capacity in their secreted cytokines; however, this capacity was reduced in KTx patients. This study provides missing evidence concerning the humoral and T cell response in immunocompromised children after COVID-19 vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmin K Lalia
- University Children's Research, UCR@Kinder-UKE, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Raphael Schild
- University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marc Lütgehetmann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology and Hygiene, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Brauschweig, Germany
| | - Gabor A Dunay
- University Children's Research, UCR@Kinder-UKE, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tilmann Kallinich
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Robin Kobbe
- Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development (IIRVD), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Bernhard-Nocht-Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 74, 20359 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mona Massoud
- Therapeutic Gene Regulation, Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), An Institute of the Leibniz Association, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jun Oh
- University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leonora Pietzsch
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ulf Schulze-Sturm
- University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Catharina Schuetz
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Freya Sibbertsen
- University Children's Research, UCR@Kinder-UKE, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Speth
- University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Thieme
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Mario Witkowski
- Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Laboratory of Innate Immunity, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Mucosal and Developmental Immunology, Deutsches Rheuma-Forschungszentrum (DRFZ), An Institute of the Leibniz Association, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Reinhard Berner
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Ania C Muntau
- University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Søren W Gersting
- University Children's Research, UCR@Kinder-UKE, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Toepfner
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Julia Pagel
- University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hamburg-Lübeck-Borstel-Riems, Inhoffenstr. 7, 38124 Brauschweig, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation, Immunology and Rheumatology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kevin Paul
- University Children's Research, UCR@Kinder-UKE, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
- University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
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Poloni C, Schonhofer C, Ivison S, Levings MK, Steiner TS, Cook L. T-cell activation-induced marker assays in health and disease. Immunol Cell Biol 2023; 101:491-503. [PMID: 36825901 PMCID: PMC10952637 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Activation-induced marker (AIM) assays have proven to be an accessible and rapid means of antigen-specific T-cell detection. The method typically involves short-term incubation of whole blood or peripheral blood mononuclear cells with antigens of interest, where autologous antigen-presenting cells process and present peptides in complex with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. Recognition of peptide-MHC complexes by T-cell receptors then induces upregulation of activation markers on the T cells that can be detected by flow cytometry. In this review, we highlight the most widely used activation markers for assays in the literature while identifying nuances and potential downfalls associated with the technique. We provide a summary of how AIM assays have been used in both discovery science and clinical studies, including studies of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunity. This review primarily focuses on AIM assays using human blood or peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples, with some considerations noted for tissue-derived T cells and nonhuman samples. AIM assays are a powerful tool that enables detailed analysis of antigen-specific T-cell frequency, phenotype and function without needing to know the precise antigenic peptides and their MHC restriction elements, enabling a wider analysis of immunity generated following infection and/or vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad Poloni
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- BC Children's Hospital Research InstituteVancouverBCCanada
| | - Cole Schonhofer
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- BC Children's Hospital Research InstituteVancouverBCCanada
| | - Sabine Ivison
- BC Children's Hospital Research InstituteVancouverBCCanada
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Megan K Levings
- BC Children's Hospital Research InstituteVancouverBCCanada
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Theodore S Steiner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- BC Children's Hospital Research InstituteVancouverBCCanada
| | - Laura Cook
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyUniversity of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and ImmunityMelbourneAustralia
- Department of Critical Care, Melbourne Medical SchoolUniversity of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
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