1. Role of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B cells promoting immune protection after booster vaccination in solid organ transplantation.
- Author
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Donadeu, Laura, Gomez-Olles, Susana, Casanova, Franc, Torija, Alba, Lopez-Meseguer, Manuel, Boada-Pérez, Meritxell, Kervella, Delphine, Crespo, Elena, Carrera-Muñoz, Claudia, Campos-Varela, Isabel, Castells, Lluís, Cortese, Maria F., Esperalba, Juliana, Fernández-Naval, Candela, Quintero, Jesús, Muñoz, Marina, Agüero, Fernando, Gonzalez-Costello, José, Lladó, Laura, and Favà, Alexandre
- Subjects
SARS-CoV-2 ,IMMUNOLOGIC memory ,BOOSTER vaccines ,COVID-19 ,VACCINE effectiveness - Abstract
Introduction: Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients display weak seroconversion and neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination and remain at risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). While B-cell memory is the hallmark of serological immunity, its role in driving successful vaccine responses and providing immune protection in SOT patients remains unclear. Methods: We investigated the function and interplay of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B cells (mBc), different cytokineproducing T cells, and cross-reactive NAb in driving seroconversion and protection against COVID-19 in two cohorts. First, we studied a large cohort of 148 SOT recipients and 32 immunocompetent individuals who underwent several vaccinations. Subsequently, we assessed 25 SOT patients participating in a randomized controlled trial to compare two different immunosuppressive strategies for allowing successful seroconversion and memory-cell responses after booster vaccination. Results: We corroborate previous findings that B- and T-cell memory responses are weaker and more delayed in SOT patients than in immunocompetent (IC) individuals; however, within the SOT cohort, we found that these responses are relatively stronger and more robust in patients not receiving mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)-based therapies. Anti-spike IgG titers strongly correlated with RBD-specific IgG-producing mBc, with both displaying broad viral cross reactivity. Prebooster SARS-CoV-2-specific mBc and IL-2-producing T cells accurately predicted Nab seroconversion (AUC, 0.828) and protection against severe COVID-19. While switching unresponsive SOT patients from calcineurin inhibitors (CNI)/MMF to a low-exposure CNI/mTOR-i regimen favored wider SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses after a fourth booster vaccination, preformed RBD-specific mBc predicted NAb seroconversion. Discussion: Our study adds new insights into the pathobiology of immune memory and highlights the pivotal role of SARS-CoV-2-specific mBc in promoting immune protection inSOT patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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