Efficient recall of SARS‐CoV‐2 variant‐reactive B cells and T responses in the elderly upon heterologous mRNA vaccines as boosters. Issue 1 (16th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rouers, Angeline; Wong, Nathan; Goh, Yun Shan; Torres‐Ruesta, Anthony; Tay, Matthew Zirui; Chang, Zi Wei; Fong, Siew‐Wai; Neo, Vanessa; Kam, Isaac Kai Jie; Yeo, Nicholas Kim‐Wah; Huang, Yuling; Loh, Chiew Yee; Hor, Pei Xiang; Wong, Joel Xu En; Tan, Yong Jie; Macary, Paul A.; Qian, Xinlei; Bei, Wang; Ngoh, Eve Zi Xian; Salleh, Siti Nazihah Mohd; Wang, Cheng-I; Poh, Xuan Ying; Rao, Suma; Chia, Po Ying; Ong, Sean W. X.; Lee, Tau Hong; Lin, Ray J. H.; Lim, Clarissa; Teo, Jefanie; Ren, Ee Chee; Lye, David Chien; Young, Barnaby E.; Ng, Lisa F. P.; Renia, Laurent;
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical virology. Volume 95:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-11-16
• Subjects: B cell -- humoral immunity -- immunity/immunization -- SARS coronavirus -- T cell; Virology -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28258
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0146-6615

Abstract

Abstract: Waning antibody levels against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and the emergence of variants of concern highlight the need for booster vaccinations. This is particularly important for the elderly population, who are at a higher risk of developing severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) disease. While studies have shown increased antibody responses following booster vaccination, understanding the changes in T and B cell compartments induced by a third vaccine dose remains limited. We analyzed the humoral and cellular responses in subjects who received either a homologous messenger RNA(mRNA) booster vaccine (BNT162b2 + BNT162b2 + BNT162b2; ''BBB") or a heterologous mRNA booster vaccine (BNT162b2 + BNT162b2 + mRNA‐1273; ''BBM") at Day 0 (prebooster), Day 7, and Day 28 (postbooster). Compared with BBB, elderly individuals (≥60 years old) who received the BBM vaccination regimen display higher levels of neutralizing antibodies against the Wuhan and Delta strains along with a higher boost in immunoglobulin G memory B cells, particularly against the Omicron variant. Circulating T helper type 1(Th1), Th2, Th17, and T follicular helper responses were also increased in elderly individuals given the BBM regimen. While mRNA vaccines increase antibody, T cell, and B cell responses against SARS‐CoV‐2 1 month after receiving the third dose booster, the efficacy of the booster vaccine strategies may vary depending on age group and regimen combination.