tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Sci Immunol
. 2022 Feb 3;eabo2202.
doi: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abo2202. Online ahead of print.
Divergent SARS CoV-2 Omicron-reactive T- and B cell responses in COVID-19 vaccine recipients
Corine H GeurtsvanKessel[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Daryl Geers[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP], Katharina S Schmitz[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP], Anna Z Mykytyn[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP], Mart M Lamers[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP], Susanne Bogers[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sandra Scherbeijn[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Lennert Gommers[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Roos S G Sablerolles[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Nella N Nieuwkoop[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Laurine C Rijsbergen[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Laura L A van Dijk[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Janet de Wilde[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Kimberley Alblas[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Tim I Breugem[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Bart J A Rijnders[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Herbert de Jager[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Daniela Weiskopf[SUP] 5 [/SUP], P Hugo M van der Kuy[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Alessandro Sette[SUP] 5 6 [/SUP], Marion P G Koopmans[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Alba Grifoni[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 5 [/SUP], Bart L Haagmans[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP], Rory D de Vries[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) is spreading rapidly, even in vaccinated individuals, raising concerns about immune escape. Here, we studied neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses targeting SARS-CoV-2 D614G (wildtype, WT), and the B.1.351 (Beta), B.1.617.2 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variants of concern (VOC) in a cohort of 60 health care workers after immunization with ChAdOx-1 S, Ad26.COV2.S, mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2. High binding antibody levels against WT SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) were detected 28 days after vaccination with both mRNA vaccines (mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2), which significantly decreased after 6 months. In contrast, antibody levels were lower after Ad26.COV2.S vaccination but did not wane. Neutralization assays with infectious virus showed consistent cross-neutralization of the Beta and Delta variants, but neutralization of Omicron was significantly lower or absent (up to a 34-fold decrease compared to WT). Notably, BNT162b2 booster vaccination after either two mRNA-1273 immunizations or Ad26.COV.2 priming partially restored neutralization of the Omicron variant, but responses were still up to-17-fold decreased compared to WT. SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cells were detected up to 6 months after all vaccination regimens, with more consistent detection of specific CD4+ than CD8+ T-cells. No significant differences were detected between WT- and variant-specific CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell responses, including Omicron, indicating minimal escape at the T-cell level. This study shows that vaccinated individuals retain T-cell immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, potentially balancing the lack of neutralizing antibodies in preventing or limiting severe COVID-19. Booster vaccinations are needed to further restore Omicron cross-neutralization by antibodies.
. 2022 Feb 3;eabo2202.
doi: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abo2202. Online ahead of print.
Divergent SARS CoV-2 Omicron-reactive T- and B cell responses in COVID-19 vaccine recipients
Corine H GeurtsvanKessel[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Daryl Geers[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP], Katharina S Schmitz[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP], Anna Z Mykytyn[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP], Mart M Lamers[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP], Susanne Bogers[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sandra Scherbeijn[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Lennert Gommers[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Roos S G Sablerolles[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Nella N Nieuwkoop[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Laurine C Rijsbergen[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Laura L A van Dijk[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Janet de Wilde[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Kimberley Alblas[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Tim I Breugem[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Bart J A Rijnders[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Herbert de Jager[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Daniela Weiskopf[SUP] 5 [/SUP], P Hugo M van der Kuy[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Alessandro Sette[SUP] 5 6 [/SUP], Marion P G Koopmans[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Alba Grifoni[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 5 [/SUP], Bart L Haagmans[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP], Rory D de Vries[SUP] #[/SUP][SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 35113647
- DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abo2202
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) is spreading rapidly, even in vaccinated individuals, raising concerns about immune escape. Here, we studied neutralizing antibodies and T-cell responses targeting SARS-CoV-2 D614G (wildtype, WT), and the B.1.351 (Beta), B.1.617.2 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variants of concern (VOC) in a cohort of 60 health care workers after immunization with ChAdOx-1 S, Ad26.COV2.S, mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2. High binding antibody levels against WT SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) were detected 28 days after vaccination with both mRNA vaccines (mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2), which significantly decreased after 6 months. In contrast, antibody levels were lower after Ad26.COV2.S vaccination but did not wane. Neutralization assays with infectious virus showed consistent cross-neutralization of the Beta and Delta variants, but neutralization of Omicron was significantly lower or absent (up to a 34-fold decrease compared to WT). Notably, BNT162b2 booster vaccination after either two mRNA-1273 immunizations or Ad26.COV.2 priming partially restored neutralization of the Omicron variant, but responses were still up to-17-fold decreased compared to WT. SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cells were detected up to 6 months after all vaccination regimens, with more consistent detection of specific CD4+ than CD8+ T-cells. No significant differences were detected between WT- and variant-specific CD4+ or CD8+ T-cell responses, including Omicron, indicating minimal escape at the T-cell level. This study shows that vaccinated individuals retain T-cell immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, potentially balancing the lack of neutralizing antibodies in preventing or limiting severe COVID-19. Booster vaccinations are needed to further restore Omicron cross-neutralization by antibodies.