Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 antibody repertoire after successive mRNA vaccinations under immunosuppressive treatmentResearch in context
Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 antibody repertoire after successive mRNA vaccinations under immunosuppressive treatmentResearch in context
Blog Article
Summary: Background: Repeated antigen exposure can result in a shifting antibody repertoire.The mechanisms by which this occurs and consequences for Special Tags cross-variant protection against evolving pathogens remain incompletely understood, particularly in the context of immunosuppressive treatments used in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID).Methods: To investigate this, we characterised longitudinal changes in the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody repertoire over the course of three SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccinations in patients with IMIDs treated with methotrexate (MTX) and/or tumour necrosis factor-inhibitors (TNFi), anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, no systemic therapy, and healthy controls (total N = 878).We determined serum antibody titres against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of Wuhan-Hu-1 (WH1) and Omicron BA.1 spike proteins, and assessed ratios thereof between groups as a proxy for cross-reactivity.
Findings: We observe emerging anti-BA.1 RBD reactivity over time, notably following a third vaccination.This may be partly explained by affinity maturation, as evaluated by inhibition of ACE2-RBD interactions.Similar trends were seen in patients Face Exfoliant treated with MTX and/or TNFi, but not in patients on anti-CD20 therapy.SARS-CoV-2 infection prior to vaccination accelerated these effects initially while leading to comparable results after three vaccinations.
Interpretation: MTX and TNFi do not qualitatively alter the evolution of the antibody repertoire in response to repeated antigen exposure, whereas anti-CD20 does.These insights may help to optimise vaccination strategies for patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases.Funding: This study was supported by ZonMw (The Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development) and SGF (Collaborating Health Funds).