BNT162b2 vaccine induces antibody release in saliva: a possible role for mucosal viral protection?. Issue 5 (19th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Darwich, Abbass; Pozzi, Chiara; Fornasa, Giulia; Lizier, Michela; Azzolini, Elena; Spadoni, Ilaria; Carli, Francesco; Voza, Antonio; Desai, Antonio; Ferrero, Carlo; Germagnoli, Luca; Mantovani, Alberto; Rescigno, Maria
• Other Names: Alessio Aghemo investigator.; Clement Anfray investigator.; Salvatore Badalamenti investigator.; Cristina Belgiovine investigator.; Alice Bertocchi investigator.; Sara Bombace investigator.; Paola Brescia investigator.; Francesca Calcaterra investigator.; Michela Calvi investigator.; Assunta Cancellara investigator.; Arianna Capucetti investigator.; Claudia Carenza investigator.; Sara Carloni investigator.; Silvia Carnevale investigator.; Valentina Cazzetta investigator.; Maurizio Cecconi investigator.; Michele Ciccarelli investigator.; Nicolò Coianiz investigator.; Abbass Darwich investigator.; Lleo De Nalda Ana investigator.; Federica De Paoli investigator.; Rachele Di Donato investigator.; Elisabeth Digifico investigator.; Barbara Durante investigator.; Maria Farina Floriana investigator.; Valentina Ferrari investigator.; Giulia Fornasa investigator.; Sara Franzese investigator.; Antonio Gil Gomez investigator.; Silvia Giugliano investigator.; Gomes Ana Rita investigator.; Michela Lizier investigator.; Antonino Lo Cascio investigator.; Alessia Melacarne investigator.; Alessandro Mozzarelli investigator.; Ilaria My investigator.; Bianca Oresta investigator.; Fabio Pasqualini investigator.; Anna Pastò investigator.; Erica Pelamatti investigator.; Chiara Perucchini investigator.; Chiara Pozzi investigator.; Valeria Rimoldi investigator.; Monica Rimoldi investigator.; Alice Scarpa investigator.; Carlo Selmi investigator.; Alessandra Silvestri investigator.; Marina Sironi investigator.; Ilaria Spadoni investigator.; Salvatore Spano' investigator.; Gianmarco Spata investigator.; Domenico Supino investigator.; Paolo Tentorio investigator.; Aldo Ummarino investigator.; Sonia Valentino investigator.; Antonio Voza investigator.; Elisa Zaghi investigator.; Veronica Zanon investigator.;
• Is Part Of: EMBO molecular medicine. Volume 14:Issue 5(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-04-19
• Subjects: BNT162b2 -- IgA -- IgG -- mucosal immunity -- SARS‐CoV‐2; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Medical genetics -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; 616.04205
• DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202115326
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-4676

Abstract

Abstract: Vaccination against an airborne pathogen is very effective if it induces also the development of mucosal antibodies that can protect against infection. The mRNA‐based vaccine‐encoding SARS‐CoV‐2 full‐length spike protein (BNT162b2, Pfizer/BioNTech) protects also against infection despite being administered systemically. Here, we show that upon vaccination, cognate IgG molecules are also found in the saliva and are more abundant in SARS‐CoV‐2 previously exposed subjects, paralleling the development of plasma IgG. The antibodies titer declines at 3 months from vaccination. We identified a concentration of specific IgG in the plasma above which the relevant IgG can be detected in the saliva. Regarding IgA antibodies, we found only protease‐susceptible IgA1 antibodies in plasma while they were present at very low levels in the saliva over the course of vaccination of SARS‐CoV‐2‐naïve subjects. Thus, in response to BNT162b2 vaccine, plasma IgG can permeate into mucosal sites and participate in viral protection. It is not clear why IgA1 are detected in low amount, they may be proteolytically cleaved. Synopsis: BNT162b2 vaccine is responsible for a strong antibody response in the plasma and in the saliva of vaccinated individuals. SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific IgG and IgA1 present in the plasma likely reach the saliva through the gingival microvasculature and crevicular fluid. We found that BNT162b2 induced: high levels of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific IgG and IgA1 in the plasma of naïve vaccinated individuals 7–10 days after the second dose (T2). high levels of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific IgG in the saliva of naïve vaccinated individuals 7–10 days after the second dose (T2). These scenarios are observed also in SARS‐CoV‐2 previously exposed subject already after the first dose (T1). Only very low levels of protease‐susceptible SARS‐COV‐2‐specific IgA1 are detected in the saliva of both vaccinated naïve and SARS‐CoV‐2 previously exposed subjects. Abstract : BNT162b2 vaccine is responsible for a strong antibody response in the plasma and in the saliva of vaccinated individuals. SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific IgG and IgA1 present in the plasma likely reach the saliva through the gingival microvasculature and crevicular fluid.