In-depth analysis of T cell immunity and antibody responses in heterologous prime-boost-boost vaccine regimens against SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variant

  • With the emergence of novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Variants of Concern (VOCs), vaccination studies that elucidate the efficiency and effectiveness of a vaccination campaign are critical to assess the durability and the protective immunity provided by vaccines. SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been found to induce robust humoral and cell-mediated immunity in individuals vaccinated with homologous vaccination regimens. Recent studies also suggest improved immune response against SARS-CoV-2 when heterologous vaccination strategies are employed. Yet, few data exist on the extent to which heterologous prime-boost-boost vaccinations with two different vaccine platforms have an impact on the T cell-mediated immune responses with a special emphasis on the currently dominantly circulating Omicron strain. In this study, we collected serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 57 study participants of median 35-year old’s working in the health care field, who have received different vaccination regimens. Neutralization assays revealed robust but decreased neutralization of Omicron VOC, including BA.1 and BA.4/5, compared to WT SARS-CoV-2 in all vaccine groups and increased WT SARS-CoV-2 binding and neutralizing antibodies titers in homologous mRNA prime-boost-boost study participants. By investigating cytokine production, we found that homologous and heterologous prime-boost-boost-vaccination induces a robust cytokine response of \(CD4^{+}\) and \(CD8^{+}\) T cells. Collectively, our results indicate robust humoral and T cell mediated immunity against Omicron in homologous and heterologous prime-boost-boost vaccinated study participants, which might serve as a guide for policy decisions.

Download full text files

Export metadata

Additional Services

Share in Twitter Search Google Scholar
Metadaten
Author:Natalie HeinenORCiDGND, Corinna MarheineckeGND, Clara BessenGND, Arturo Blazquez-NavarroGND, Toralf RochORCiDGND, Ulrik Stervbo-KristensenORCiDGND, Moritz AnftGND, Carlos Plaza SirventORCiDGND, Sandra BußeGND, Mara KlöhnORCiDGND, Jil Alexandra SchraderORCiDGND, Elena Vidal BlancoGND, Doris UrlaubGND, Carsten WatzlORCiDGND, Markus HoffmannORCiDGND, Stefan PöhlmannORCiDGND, Matthias TenbuschORCiDGND, Eike SteinmannORCiDGND, Daniel Matthias TodtORCiDGND, Carsten HagenbeckORCiDGND, Gert ZimmerORCiDGND, Wolfgang E. SchmidtGND, Daniel Robert QuastORCiDGND, Nina BabelORCiDGND, Ingo SchmitzORCiDGND, Stephanie PfänderORCiDGND
URN:urn:nbn:de:hbz:294-104117
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1062210
Parent Title (English):Frontiers in immunology
Publisher:Frontiers Media
Place of publication:Lausanne, Schweiz
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Date of Publication (online):2023/11/16
Date of first Publication:2022/12/21
Publishing Institution:Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Universitätsbibliothek
Tag:Open Access Fonds
COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; immunity; omicron; vaccine
Volume:13
Issue:Article 1062210
First Page:1062210-1
Last Page:1062210-14
Note:
Article Processing Charge funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the Open Access Publication Fund of Ruhr-Universität Bochum.
Institutes/Facilities:Institut für Hygiene und Mikrobiologie, Abteilung für Molekulare und Medizinische Virologie
Lehrstuhl für Molekulare Immunologie
Dewey Decimal Classification:Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften / Medizin, Gesundheit
open_access (DINI-Set):open_access
faculties:Medizinische Fakultät
Licence (English):License LogoCreative Commons - CC BY 4.0 - Attribution 4.0 International