Differential cellular and humoral immune responses in immunocompromised individuals following multiple SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations

Meredith, Rhys T., Bermingham, Max D., Bentley, Kirsten ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6619-2098, Agah, Sayeh, Aboagye-Odei, Abigail, Yarham, Ross A. R., Mills, Hayley, Shaikh, Muddassir, Hoye, Neil, Stanton, Richard J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6799-1182, Chadwick, David R. and Oliver, Maria A. 2023. Differential cellular and humoral immune responses in immunocompromised individuals following multiple SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology 13 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1207313

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Abstract

Introduction: The heterogeneity of the immunocompromised population means some individuals may exhibit variable, weak or reduced vaccine-induced immune responses, leaving them poorly protected from COVID-19 disease despite receiving multiple SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. There is conflicting data on the immunogenicity elicited by multiple vaccinations in immunocompromised groups. The aim of this study was to measure both humoral and cellular vaccine-induced immunity in several immunocompromised cohorts and to compare them to immunocompetent controls. Methods: Cytokine release in peptide-stimulated whole blood, and neutralising antibody and baseline SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific IgG levels in plasma were measured in rheumatology patients (n=29), renal transplant recipients (n=46), people living with HIV (PLWH) (n=27) and immunocompetent participants (n=64) post third or fourth vaccination from just one blood sample. Cytokines were measured by ELISA and multiplex array. Neutralising antibody levels in plasma were determined by a 50% neutralising antibody titre assay and SARS-CoV-2 spike specific IgG levels were quantified by ELISA. Results: In infection negative donors, IFN-γ, IL-2 and neutralising antibody levels were significantly reduced in rheumatology patients (p=0.0014, p=0.0415, p=0.0319, respectively) and renal transplant recipients (p<0.0001, p=0.0005, p<0.0001, respectively) compared to immunocompetent controls, with IgG antibody responses similarly affected. Conversely, cellular and humoral immune responses were not impaired in PLWH, or between individuals from all groups with previous SARS-CoV-2 infections. Discussion: These results suggest that specific subgroups within immunocompromised cohorts could benefit from distinct, personalised immunisation or treatment strategies. Identification of vaccine non-responders could be critical to protect those most at risk.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine Systems Immunity Research Institute (SIURI)
Publisher:	Frontiers Media
ISSN:	2235-2988
Funders:	Innovate UK/SBRI
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	27 June 2023
Date of Acceptance:	6 June 2023
Last Modified:	30 Jun 2023 16:40
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/160580

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