Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel M. Altmann, Rosemary J. Boyton
Summary: A diverse range of first-generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have been successful in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, although inequitable distribution remains an issue. Future challenges include optimizing immunological boosting strategies and building an immune repertoire that can protect against upcoming viral variants.
Article
Immunology
Barbara Poniedzialek, Ewelina Hallmann, Dominika Sikora, Karol Szymanski, Katarzyna Kondratiuk, Jakub Zurawski, Piotr Rzymski, Lidia Brydak
Summary: Evidence suggests that vaccination against seasonal influenza can enhance innate immune responses to COVID-19 and reduce disease severity. This study aimed to compare humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 in non-hospitalized, COVID-19 unvaccinated patients and mild COVID-19 convalescent patients who were and were not vaccinated against influenza. The results showed that influenza-vaccinated patients had higher levels of antibodies against nucleocapsid and receptor binding domain compared to non-vaccinated patients.
Article
Immunology
Anna Sabrina Kuechler, Sandra Weinhold, Fritz Boege, Ortwin Adams, Lisa Mueller, Florian Babor, Sabrina B. Bennstein, T-X Uyen Pham, Maryam Hejazi, Sarah B. Reusing, Derik Hermsen, Markus Uhrberg, Karin Schulze-Bosse
Summary: This study describes a diagnostic procedure for scheduling (re-)vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 based on individual humoral immunization status. The researchers monitored individuals before, during, and six months after vaccination with the Spikevax vaccine. The study found that measuring serum-based SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels could potentially support personalized vaccination schedules.
Article
Immunology
Wojciech Witkowski, Sarah Gerlo, Evelien De Smet, Magdalena Wejda, Delphine Acar, Steven Callens, Stefan Heytens, Elizaveta Padalko, Hanne Vercruysse, Piet Cools, Linos Vandekerckhove
Summary: This study analyzed the humoral response to the BNT162b2 vaccine among nursing home residents and staff. The results showed significantly decreased serum antibody levels and neutralization titers among nursing home residents, with a high proportion of non-responders. Additionally, a significant decrease in antibody titers was observed three months post-vaccination in COVID-19-naive nursing home residents. Flow cytometry and interferon gamma secretion analyses indicated that antibody non-responders also failed to mount cellular responses. This study highlights the need for additional measures and continued monitoring in the population of frail elderly individuals.
Article
Immunology
Simona Arientova, Katerina Matuskova, Oldrich Bartos, Michal Holub, Ondrej Beran
Summary: This study examined the dynamics and duration of immune responses after a three-dose regimen of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. The results showed that the vaccine induced potent and enduring humoral and cellular immune responses, with enhanced protection after the third dose that remained stable up to a year later.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Caiqin Hu, Zheng Wang, Li Ren, Yanling Hao, Meiling Zhu, He Jiang, Shuo Wang, Dan Li, Yiming Shao
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether prior immunity to seasonal human coronaviruses (HCoVs) could affect the immune response induced by the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. The study found that prior antibodies to seasonal HCoVs existed and could be boosted by the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Specifically, HCoV-OC43 antibodies were associated with protective immunity to SARS-CoV-2, supporting the development of a pan-coronavirus vaccine.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Virology
Xuan Yi, Yuhao Wang, Quanrun Li, Xiaoyi Li, Panli Zhang, Xin Fu, Shuqin Gu, Daqian Zhang, Xiaoyi Liu, Haonan Lou, Yuemei Wu, Libo Tang, Jinlin Hou, Yongyin Li
Summary: Individuals with a recent common cold coronavirus infection, which provides pre-existing immunity against SARS-CoV-2, experience a milder course of COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between pre-existing immunity and the immune response induced by inactivated COVID-19 vaccines. The researchers analyzed 31 healthcare workers who received two doses of inactivated vaccines and found that the vaccine-induced T cell responses, rather than neutralizing antibodies, correlated closely with pre-existing immunity to SARS-CoV-2. These findings contribute to a better understanding of inactivated-vaccine-induced immunity and its implications for vaccine effectiveness.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zeli Zhang, Jose Mateus, Camila H. Coelho, Jennifer M. Dan, Carolyn Rydyznski Moderbacher, Rosa Isela Galvez, Fernanda H. Cortes, Alba Grifoni, Alison Tarke, James Chang, E. Alexandar Escarrega, Christina Kim, Benjamin Goodwin, Nathaniel Bloom, April Frazier, Daniela Weiskopf, Alessandro Sette, Shane Crotty
Summary: Multiple COVID-19 vaccines have successfully protected against symptomatic cases and deaths. Comparisons of T cell, B cell, and antibody responses to different vaccines can provide insights into protective immunity against COVID-19, particularly immune memory. mRNA vaccines and Ad26.COV2.S induced strong T cell responses, while mRNA vaccines showed substantial declines in antibodies.
Article
Immunology
Jin Wang, Cheng Guo, Lin Cai, Conghui Liao, Huaimin Yi, Qianlin Li, Huan Hu, Qiang Deng, Yuying Lu, Zhongmin Guo, Zeliang Chen, Jiahai Lu
Summary: The study found large amounts of pre-existing cross-reactive antibodies, especially in the S2 subunit among seasonal coronaviruses (sCoVs). Participants did not show significant differences in IgG and IgM fluorescence intensities against S, M, and N peptides pre-vaccination and post-vaccination. There was no evidence of an impact of pre-existing antibody responses on inactivated vaccine-induced neutralization and antibody responses.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Nabin K. Shrestha, Patrick C. Burke, Amy S. Nowacki, Paul Terpeluk, Steven M. Gordon
Summary: Both previous infection and vaccination provide substantial protection against COVID-19. Vaccination of previously infected individuals does not provide additional protection against COVID-19 for several months, but after that provides significant protection at least against symptomatic COVID-19. Individuals previously infected with COVID-19 are substantially protected against COVID-19 for several months in the absence of vaccination. Beyond that time, vaccination protects against symptomatic COVID-19 among those previously infected, probably by boosting of waning natural immunity.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Elizabeth T. Jacobs, Collin J. Catalfamo, Paulina M. Colombo, Sana M. Khan, Erika Austhof, Felina Cordova-Marks, Kacey C. Ernst, Leslie V. Farland, Kristen Pogreba-Brown
Summary: Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) are conditions that occur or remain at least 28 days after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Pre-existing conditions such as asthma, chronic constipation, reflux, rheumatoid arthritis, seasonal allergies, and depression/anxiety are associated with an increased risk for PASC. Respiratory, gastrointestinal, and autoimmune conditions also show significant associations with PASC.
JOURNAL OF AUTOIMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kamil Demircan, Thilo Samson Chillon, Qian Sun, Raban Arved Heller, Georg Jochen Klingenberg, Ines Maria Hirschbil-Bremer, Petra Seemann, Joachim Diegmann, Manuel Bachmann, Arash Moghaddam, Lutz Schomburg
Summary: This observational study found no association between selenium status or supplemental selenium intake and humoral immune response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Erin M. Bange, Nicholas A. Han, Paul Wileyto, Justin Y. Kim, Sigrid Gouma, James Robinson, Allison R. Greenplate, Madeline A. Hwee, Florence Porterfield, Olutosin Owoyemi, Karan Naik, Cathy Zheng, Michael Galantino, Ariel R. Weisman, Caroline A. G. Ittner, Emily M. Kugler, Amy E. Baxter, Olutwatosin Oniyide, Roseline S. Agyekum, Thomas G. Dunn, Tiffanie K. Jones, Heather M. Giannini, Madison E. Weirick, Christopher M. McAllister, N. Esther Babady, Anita Kumar, Adam J. Widman, Susan DeWolf, Sawsan R. Boutemine, Charlotte Roberts, Krista R. Budzik, Susan Tollett, Carla Wright, Tara Perloff, Lova Sun, Divij Mathew, Josephine R. Giles, Derek A. Oldridge, Jennifer E. Wu, Cecile Alanio, Sharon Adamski, Alfred L. Garfall, Laura A. Vella, Samuel J. Kerr, Justine Cohen, Randall A. Oyer, Ryan Massa, Ivan P. Maillard, Kara N. Maxwell, John P. Reilly, Peter G. Maslak, Robert H. Vonderheide, Jedd D. Wolchok, Scott E. Hensley, E. John Wherry, Nuala J. Meyer, Angela M. DeMichele, Santosha A. Vardhana, Ronac Mamtani, Alexander C. Huang
Summary: In patients with cancer and COVID-19, those with hematologic cancer show impaired immune responses compared to solid cancer patients. CD8 T cells play a crucial role in survival, even in the presence of limited humoral responses. The presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses in hematologic cancer patients suggests a potential therapeutic target.
Article
Virology
Tamiris Azamor, Ingrid Siciliano Horbach, Danielle Brito e Cunha, Juliana Gil Melgaco, Andrea Marques Vieira da Silva, Luciana Neves Tubarao, Adriana de Souza Azevedo, Renata Tourinho Santos, Nathalia dos Santos Alves, Thiago Lazari Machado, Jane Silva, Alessandro Fonseca de Souza, Camilla Bayma, Vanessa Pimenta Rocha, Ana Beatriz Teixeira Frederico, Brenda de Moura Dias, Bruno Pimenta Setatino, Caio Bidueira Denani, Samir Pereira da Costa Campos, Waleska Dias Schwarcz, Michel Vergne Sucupira, Edinea Pastro Mendes, Edimilson Domingos da Silva, Sheila Maria Barbosa de Lima, Ana Paula Dinis Ano Bom, Sotiris Missailidis
Summary: The study investigated immune responses to the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 individuals, revealing significant differences in immune responses post-vaccination, with COVID-19 patients showing higher antibody levels and memory B cells. Vaccination was found to enhance IFN-γ production and impact the activation of T CD4+ naive cells in naive individuals.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jernej Pusnik, Werner O. Monzon-Posadas, Jasmin Zorn, Kathrin Peters, Maximilian Baum, Hannah Proksch, Celina Beta Schlueter, Galit Alter, Tanja Menting, Hendrik Streeck
Summary: According to the research data, receiving two doses of mRNA vaccine along with a booster dose, recovering from a breakthrough infection, or both, provides better B cell immunity. Individuals who received three doses of the vaccine and experienced breakthrough infections with the omicron variant showed a particularly strong B cell response. Additional antigen exposure did not significantly affect the T cell response after two doses of the vaccine. Individuals with hybrid immunity exhibited better correlated adaptive immune responses.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Review
Virology
Andrea Knies, Dennis Ladage, Ralf J. Braun, Janine Kimpel, Miriam Schneider
Summary: This study summarizes findings on the persistence of humoral response post SARS-CoV-2 infection, with IgG antibodies showing the longest duration of six to eight months, while IgM and IgA studies yielded mixed results. Most studies observed neutralizing antibodies lasting up to eight months, which have been associated with protection from re-infection.
REVIEWS IN MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Annika Roessler, Lydia Riepler, David Bante, Dorothee von Laer, Janine Kimpel
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Michael Karbiener, Maria R. Farcet, Andreas Zollner, Taisei Masuda, Mitsuhiro Mori, Alexander R. Moschen, Thomas R. Kreil
Summary: This study directly compares the SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody response elicited by three COVID-19 vaccines (protein-based, mRNA-based, and vector-based) and further supports the use of neutralizing antibody levels as a correlate of protection.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Andreas Zollner, Robert Koch, Almina Jukic, Alexandra Pfister, Moritz Meyer, Annika Roessler, Janine Kimpel, Timon E. Adolph, Herbert Tilg
Summary: The study investigates whether the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 antigen in infected tissues is responsible for postacute COVID-19 syndrome. The results suggest that viral antigen persistence may be the underlying cause of postacute COVID-19 and this concept should be validated in controlled clinical trials.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Annika Roessler, Ludwig Knabl, Dorothee von Laer, Janine Kimpel
Summary: Although some antibodies generated in persons recovering from infection with the omicron variant show cross-reactivity, a group of unvaccinated individuals were found to have largely ineffective antibodies against other viral strains.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Michaela Lackner, Annika Roessler, Andre Volland, Marlena Nastassja Stadtmueller, Brigitte Muellauer, Zoltan Banki, Johannes Stroehle, Angela Luttick, Jennifer Fenner, Bettina Sarg, Leopold Kremser, Paul Tone, Heribert Stoiber, Dorothee von Laer, Thorsten Wolff, Carsten Schwarz, Markus Nagl
Summary: This study demonstrates the broad antiviral activity of N-chlorotaurine (NCT) against various viruses causing acute respiratory tract infections, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza viruses, and RSV. NCT exerts virucidal effects by chlorinating and oxidizing viral proteins, with enhanced activity in the presence of proteinaceous material. The findings suggest that the application of 1.0% NCT could be a comprehensive clinical strategy for the prevention and treatment of acute viral respiratory tract infections.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Letter
Medical Laboratory Technology
Lorin Loacker, Janine Kimpel, Zoltan Banki, Christoph Q. Schmidt, Andrea Griesmacher, Markus Anliker
CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND LABORATORY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Virology
Teresa Harthaller, Wegene Borena, David Bante, Helena Schafer, Oliver Strallhofer, Thomas Zoeggeler, Eva Hochmuth, Luiza Hoch, Annika Roessler, Dorothee von Laer, Janine Kimpel, Barbara Falkensammer
Summary: This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among the pediatric population in the district of Schwaz, Austria. The findings revealed that the age-standardized seroprevalence of previously unknown SARS-CoV-2 infection among the general pediatric population was 27%, and the true overall prevalence was 32.8%, significantly higher than the officially documented cases of 8.0%. This suggests a high extent of silent infections and potentially silent transmission in the pediatric population.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Peter Willeit, Janine Kimpel, Hannes Winner, Teresa Harthaller, Helena Schafer, David Bante, Barbara Falkensammer, Annika Rossler, Lydia Riepler, Cornelia Ower, Magdalena Sacher, Dorothee von Laer, Wegene Borena
Summary: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among the adult population in the district of Schwaz at the time of the implementation of a rapid mass vaccination campaign. The study found that the proportion of undocumented infections was 55.8% and estimated that at least two-thirds of the adult population were susceptible to the virus when the vaccination campaign started.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Annika Roessler, Ludwig Knabl, Lisa-Maria Raschbichler, Evelyn Peer, Dorothee von Laer, Wegene Borena, Janine Kimpel
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Annika Roessler, Antonia Netzl, Ludwig Knabl, Helena Schaefer, Samuel H. Wilks, David Bante, Barbara Falkensammer, Wegene Borena, Dorothee von Laer, Derek J. Smith, Janine Kimpel
Summary: Studies have shown that the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is an immune escape variant. However, the BA.2 and BA.5 sub-variants of omicron have become dominant in many countries and replaced the BA.1 variant. Our analysis focused on whether BA.2 and BA.5 show further immune escape compared to BA.1. We found that unvaccinated individuals after a single exposure to BA.2 had limited cross-neutralizing antibodies to pre-omicron variants and BA.1.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Magdalena Hagen, Tirtha Chakraborty, William J. Olson, Martin Heitz, Natascha Hermann-Kleiter, Janine Kimpel, Brigitte Jenewein, Johanna Pertoll, Verena Labi, Klaus Rajewsky, Emmanuel Derudder
Summary: B lymphocyte development is a well-ordered process that leads to the formation of mature B cells capable of recognizing a variety of antigens. miRNA regulation plays a crucial role in B cell biology, especially in development and migration.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lisa Seekircher, Zoltan Banki, Janine Kimpel, Annika Roessler, Helena Schaefer, Barbara Falkensammer, David Bante, Lukas Forer, Sebastian Schonherr, Teresa Harthaller, Magdalena Sacher, Cornelia Ower, Lena Tschiderer, Hanno Ulmer, Florian Krammer, Dorothee von Laer, Wegene Borena, Peter Willeit
Summary: This study investigated the associations between antibody and T-cell responses after COVID-19 vaccination and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection, as well as whether measurement of these responses enhances risk prediction.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lydia Riepler, Laura-Sophie Frommelt, Sarah Wilmschen-Tober, Wilbert Mbuya, Kathrin Held, Andre Prime Volland, Dorothee Von Laer, Christof Geldmacher, Janine Kimpel
Summary: HPV infections are strongly associated with cervical, anogenital, and oropharyngeal cancers. In this study, a live attenuated cancer vaccine based on the VSV-GP virus was generated, which expressed higher amounts of HPV antigens at an earlier position in the genome. This vaccine demonstrated increased immunogenicity and anti-tumoral efficacy in mouse tumor models.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Teresa Harthaller, Barbara Falkensammer, David Bante, Maria Huber, Melanie Schmitt, Habib Benainouna, Annika Roessler, Verena Fleischer, Dorothee von Laer, Janine Kimpel, Reinhard Wuerzner, Wegene Borena
Summary: In this study, it was found that antibodies induced by vaccination or infection against SARS-CoV-2 have reduced recognition of the Omicron variant compared to the wild-type virus. However, the remaining antibodies still have non-inferior avidity to the Omicron variant, suggesting functional immunity is retained. Vaccinated individuals have higher antibody levels and greater cross-binding capacity, indicating the advantage of repeated exposure in generating robust immunity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)