학술논문
Persistent Spike-specific T cell immunity despite antibody reduction after 3 months from SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2-mRNA vaccine.
Document Type
Article
Author
Agrati, Chiara; Castilletti, Concetta; Goletti, Delia; Sacchi, Alessandra; Bordoni, Veronica; Mariotti, Davide; Notari, Stefania; Matusali, Giulia; Meschi, Silvia; Petrone, Linda; Aiello, Alessandra; Najafi Fard, Saeid; Farroni, Chiara; Colavita, Francesca; Lapa, Daniele; Leone, Sara; Agresta, Alessandro; Capobianchi, Maria; Ippolito, Giuseppe; Vaia, Francesco
Source
Subject
*MEDICAL personnel
*COVID-19 vaccines
*HUMORAL immunity
*T cells
*IMMUNITY
*IMMUNOGLOBULINS
*VACCINE effectiveness
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Language
ISSN
2045-2322
Abstract
Vaccine is the main public health measure to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission and hospitalization, and a massive scientific effort worldwide resulted in the rapid development of effective vaccines. This work aimed to define the dynamics and persistence of humoral and cell-mediated immune response in Health Care Workers who received a two-dose BNT162b2-mRNA vaccination. Serological response was evaluated by quantifying anti-RBD and neutralizing antibodies while cell-mediated response was performed by a whole blood test quantifying Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2) produced in response to Spike peptides. BNT162b2-mRNA vaccine induced both humoral and cell-mediated immune response against Spike in all HCW early after the second dose. After 12 weeks from vaccination, the titer of anti-RBD antibodies as well as their neutralization function decreased while the Spike-specific T-cells persisted at the same level as soon after vaccine boost. Of note, a correlation between cellular and humoral response persevered, suggesting the persistence of a coordinated immune response. The long lasting cell-mediated immune response after 3 months from vaccination highlight its importance in the maintaining of specific immunity able to expand again to fight eventual new antigen encountering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]