RESUMO
Genetic studies have highlighted microglia as pivotal in orchestrating Alzheimer's disease (AD). Microglia that adhere to Aß plaques acquire a transcriptional signature, "disease-associated microglia" (DAM), which largely emanates from the TREM2-DAP12 receptor complex that transmits intracellular signals through the protein tyrosine kinase SYK. The human TREM2R47H variant associated with high AD risk fails to activate microglia via SYK. We found that SYK-deficient microglia cannot encase Aß plaques, accelerating brain pathology and behavioral deficits. SYK deficiency impaired the PI3K-AKT-GSK-3ß-mTOR pathway, incapacitating anabolic support required for attaining the DAM profile. However, SYK-deficient microglia proliferated and advanced to an Apoe-expressing prodromal stage of DAM; this pathway relied on the adapter DAP10, which also binds TREM2. Thus, microglial responses to Aß involve non-redundant SYK- and DAP10-pathways. Systemic administration of an antibody against CLEC7A, a receptor that directly activates SYK, rescued microglia activation in mice expressing the TREM2R47H allele, unveiling new options for AD immunotherapy.
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer , Microglia , Animais , Camundongos , Humanos , Microglia/metabolismo , Glicogênio Sintase Quinase 3 beta/metabolismo , Fosfatidilinositol 3-Quinases/metabolismo , Peptídeos beta-Amiloides/metabolismo , Doença de Alzheimer/patologia , Placa Amiloide/metabolismo , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Quinase Syk/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/genética , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Receptores Imunológicos/metabolismoRESUMO
SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines induce robust anti-spike (S) antibody and CD4+ T cell responses. It is not yet clear whether vaccine-induced follicular helper CD4+ T (TFH) cell responses contribute to this outstanding immunogenicity. Using fine-needle aspiration of draining axillary lymph nodes from individuals who received the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, we evaluated the T cell receptor sequences and phenotype of lymph node TFH. Mining of the responding TFH T cell receptor repertoire revealed a strikingly immunodominant HLA-DPB1∗04-restricted response to S167-180 in individuals with this allele, which is among the most common HLA alleles in humans. Paired blood and lymph node specimens show that while circulating S-specific TFH cells peak one week after the second immunization, S-specific TFH persist at nearly constant frequencies for at least six months. Collectively, our results underscore the key role that robust TFH cell responses play in establishing long-term immunity by this efficacious human vaccine.
Assuntos
COVID-19/imunologia , COVID-19/virologia , Imunidade/imunologia , SARS-CoV-2/imunologia , Células T Auxiliares Foliculares/imunologia , Vacinação , Vacinas Sintéticas/imunologia , Vacinas de mRNA/imunologia , Adulto , Linfócitos B/imunologia , Vacina BNT162/imunologia , COVID-19/sangue , Células Clonais , Estudos de Coortes , Citocinas/metabolismo , Feminino , Centro Germinativo/imunologia , Cadeias beta de HLA-DP/imunologia , Humanos , Epitopos Imunodominantes/imunologia , Células Jurkat , Linfonodos/metabolismo , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Peptídeos/química , Peptídeos/metabolismo , Multimerização Proteica , Receptores de Antígenos de Linfócitos T/metabolismoRESUMO
The differentiation and specificity of human CD4+ T follicular helper cells (TFH cells) after influenza vaccination have been poorly defined. Here we profiled blood and draining lymph node (LN) samples from human volunteers for over 2 years after two influenza vaccines were administered 1 year apart to define the evolution of the CD4+ TFH cell response. The first vaccination induced an increase in the frequency of circulating TFH (cTFH) and LN TFH cells at week 1 postvaccination. This increase was transient for cTFH cells, whereas the LN TFH cells further expanded during week 2 and remained elevated in frequency for at least 3 months. We observed several distinct subsets of TFH cells in the LN, including pre-TFH cells, memory TFH cells, germinal center (GC) TFH cells and interleukin-10+ TFH cell subsets beginning at baseline and at all time points postvaccination. The shift toward a GC TFH cell phenotype occurred with faster kinetics after the second vaccine compared to the first vaccine. We identified several influenza-specific TFH cell clonal lineages, including multiple responses targeting internal influenza virus proteins, and found that each TFH cell state was attainable within a clonal lineage. Thus, human TFH cells form a durable and dynamic multitissue network.
RESUMO
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and mRNA vaccination induce robust CD4+ T cell responses. Using single-cell transcriptomics, here, we evaluated CD4+ T cells specific for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the blood and draining lymph nodes (dLNs) of individuals 3 months and 6 months after vaccination with the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. We analyzed 1,277 spike-specific CD4+ T cells, including 238 defined using Trex, a deep learning-based reverse epitope mapping method to predict antigen specificity. Human dLN spike-specific CD4+ follicular helper T (TFH) cells exhibited heterogeneous phenotypes, including germinal center CD4+ TFH cells and CD4+IL-10+ TFH cells. Analysis of an independent cohort of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals 3 months and 6 months after infection found spike-specific CD4+ T cell profiles in blood that were distinct from those detected in blood 3 months and 6 months after BNT162b2 vaccination. Our findings provide an atlas of human spike-specific CD4+ T cell transcriptional phenotypes in the dLNs and blood following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or infection.
RESUMO
In this study we profiled vaccine-induced polyclonal antibodies as well as plasmablast-derived mAbs from individuals who received SARS-CoV-2 spike mRNA vaccine. Polyclonal antibody responses in vaccinees were robust and comparable to or exceeded those seen after natural infection. However, the ratio of binding to neutralizing antibodies after vaccination was greater than that after natural infection and, at the monoclonal level, we found that the majority of vaccine-induced antibodies did not have neutralizing activity. We also found a co-dominance of mAbs targeting the NTD and RBD of SARS-CoV-2 spike and an original antigenic-sin like backboost to spikes of seasonal human coronaviruses OC43 and HKU1. Neutralizing activity of NTD mAbs but not RBD mAbs against a clinical viral isolate carrying E484K as well as extensive changes in the NTD was abolished, suggesting that a proportion of vaccine-induced RBD binding antibodies may provide substantial protection against viral variants carrying single E484K RBD mutations.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Vacinas contra COVID-19/imunologia , RNA Mensageiro/imunologia , SARS-CoV-2/imunologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/química , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/imunologia , Vacinação , Substituição de Aminoácidos , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2/imunologia , Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Anticorpos Monoclonais/isolamento & purificação , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Formação de Anticorpos/imunologia , Ligação Competitiva , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/metabolismo , Mutação/genética , Domínios Proteicos , Hipermutação Somática de Imunoglobulina/genéticaRESUMO
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic with millions of human infections. One limitation to the evaluation of potential therapies and vaccines to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection and ameliorate disease is the lack of susceptible small animals in large numbers. Commercially available laboratory strains of mice are not readily infected by SARS-CoV-2 because of species-specific differences in their angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. Here, we transduced replication-defective adenoviruses encoding human ACE2 via intranasal administration into BALB/c mice and established receptor expression in lung tissues. hACE2-transduced mice were productively infected with SARS-CoV-2, and this resulted in high viral titers in the lung, lung pathology, and weight loss. Passive transfer of a neutralizing monoclonal antibody reduced viral burden in the lung and mitigated inflammation and weight loss. The development of an accessible mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis will expedite the testing and deployment of therapeutics and vaccines.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais/uso terapêutico , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/uso terapêutico , Anticorpos Antivirais/uso terapêutico , Betacoronavirus/imunologia , Infecções por Coronavirus/terapia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Pneumonia Viral/terapia , Enzima de Conversão de Angiotensina 2 , Animais , COVID-19 , Chlorocebus aethiops , Infecções por Coronavirus/virologia , Feminino , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Imunização Passiva/métodos , Pulmão/metabolismo , Pulmão/virologia , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Endogâmicos DBA , Camundongos Knockout , Pandemias , Peptidil Dipeptidase A/genética , Peptidil Dipeptidase A/metabolismo , Pneumonia Viral/virologia , SARS-CoV-2 , Transdução Genética , Células Vero , Carga Viral/imunologiaRESUMO
Ebola virus (EBOV) remains a public health threat. We performed a longitudinal study of B cell responses to EBOV in four survivors of the 2014 West African outbreak. Infection induced lasting EBOV-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, but their subclass composition changed over time, with IgG1 persisting, IgG3 rapidly declining, and IgG4 appearing late. Striking changes occurred in the immunoglobulin repertoire, with massive recruitment of naive B cells that subsequently underwent hypermutation. We characterized a large panel of EBOV glycoprotein-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Only a small subset of mAbs that bound glycoprotein by ELISA recognized cell-surface glycoprotein. However, this subset contained all neutralizing mAbs. Several mAbs protected against EBOV disease in animals, including one mAb that targeted an epitope under evolutionary selection during the 2014 outbreak. Convergent antibody evolution was seen across multiple donors, particularly among VH3-13 neutralizing antibodies specific for the GP1 core. Our study provides a benchmark for assessing EBOV vaccine-induced immunity.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Linfócitos B/fisiologia , Doença pelo Vírus Ebola/imunologia , Adulto , Sequência de Aminoácidos/genética , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais/isolamento & purificação , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Linfócitos B/metabolismo , Chlorocebus aethiops , Vacinas contra Ebola/imunologia , Ebolavirus/genética , Ebolavirus/metabolismo , Ebolavirus/patogenicidade , Epitopos/sangue , Feminino , Glicoproteínas/genética , Doença pelo Vírus Ebola/metabolismo , Doença pelo Vírus Ebola/virologia , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/imunologia , Células Jurkat , Estudos Longitudinais , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Sobreviventes , Células Vero , Proteínas do Envelope Viral/genéticaRESUMO
Immunological imprinting generically refers to the effects prior exposures have on subsequent immune responses to, and eventually protection against, antigenically related viruses. Here, Koutsakos and Ellebedy explain different concepts and terms around imprinting and the fundamental immunological principles behind it. They also discuss the potential role imprinting may have in the context of COVID-19 vaccines.
Assuntos
Vacinas contra COVID-19 , COVID-19 , HumanosRESUMO
There is growing appreciation for neuraminidase (NA) as an influenza vaccine target; however, its antigenicity remains poorly characterized. In this study, we isolated three broadly reactive N2 antibodies from the plasmablasts of a single vaccinee, including one that cross-reacts with NAs from seasonal H3N2 strains spanning five decades. Although these three antibodies have diverse germline usages, they recognize similar epitopes that are distant from the NA active site and instead involve the highly conserved underside of NA head domain. We also showed that all three antibodies confer prophylactic and therapeutic protection in vivo, due to both Fc effector functions and NA inhibition through steric hindrance. Additionally, the contribution of Fc effector functions to protection in vivo inversely correlates with viral growth inhibition activity in vitro. Overall, our findings advance the understanding of NA antibody response and provide important insights into the development of a broadly protective influenza vaccine.
Assuntos
Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1 , Vacinas contra Influenza , Influenza Humana , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae , Humanos , Influenza Humana/prevenção & controle , Neuraminidase , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/prevenção & controle , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H3N2 , Epitopos , Anticorpos Antivirais , Anticorpos Monoclonais , Vacinação , Glicoproteínas de Hemaglutininação de Vírus da InfluenzaRESUMO
Neuraminidase (NA) is one of the two influenza virus surface glycoproteins, and antibodies that target it are an independent correlate of protection. However, our current understanding of NA antigenicity is incomplete. Here, we describe human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from a patient with a pandemic H1N1 virus infection in 2009. Two mAbs exhibited broad reactivity and inhibited NA enzyme activity of seasonal H1N1 viruses circulating before and after 2009, as well as viruses with avian or swine N1s. The mAbs provided robust protection from lethal challenge with human H1N1 and avian H5N1 viruses in mice, and both target an epitope on the lateral face of NA. In summary, we identified two broadly protective NA antibodies that share a novel epitope, inhibited NA activity, and provide protection against virus challenge in mice. Our work reaffirms that NA should be included as a target in future broadly protective or universal influenza virus vaccines.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais , Anticorpos Antivirais , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1 , Influenza Humana , Neuraminidase , Anticorpos Monoclonais/isolamento & purificação , Anticorpos Monoclonais/metabolismo , Anticorpos Antivirais/isolamento & purificação , Anticorpos Antivirais/metabolismo , Neuraminidase/química , Neuraminidase/metabolismo , Humanos , Fragmentos Fab das Imunoglobulinas/química , Microscopia Crioeletrônica , Epitopos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Animais , Camundongos , Influenza Humana/tratamento farmacológico , Modelos Animais de DoençasRESUMO
The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 antigenic variants with increased transmissibility is a public health threat. Some variants show substantial resistance to neutralization by SARS-CoV-2 infection- or vaccination-induced antibodies. Here, we analyzed receptor binding domain-binding monoclonal antibodies derived from SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine-elicited germinal center B cells for neutralizing activity against the WA1/2020 D614G SARS-CoV-2 strain and variants of concern. Of five monoclonal antibodies that potently neutralized the WA1/2020 D614G strain, all retained neutralizing capacity against the B.1.617.2 variant, four also neutralized the B.1.1.7 variant, and only one, 2C08, also neutralized the B.1.351 and B.1.1.28 variants. 2C08 reduced lung viral load and morbidity in hamsters challenged with the WA1/2020 D614G, B.1.351, or B.1.617.2 strains. Clonal analysis identified 2C08-like public clonotypes among B cells responding to SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination in 41 out of 181 individuals. Thus, 2C08-like antibodies can be induced by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and mitigate resistance by circulating variants of concern.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais/metabolismo , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/metabolismo , Anticorpos Antivirais/metabolismo , Linfócitos B/imunologia , Vacinas contra COVID-19/imunologia , COVID-19/imunologia , Centro Germinativo/imunologia , Pulmão/virologia , SARS-CoV-2/fisiologia , Animais , Células Cultivadas , Células Clonais , Cricetinae , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Humanos , Testes de Neutralização , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/imunologia , Vacinação , Carga ViralRESUMO
Influenza B virus (IBV) infections can cause severe disease in children and the elderly. Commonly used antivirals have lower clinical effectiveness against IBV compared to influenza A viruses (IAV). Neuraminidase (NA), the second major surface protein on the influenza virus, is emerging as a target of broadly protective antibodies that recognize the NA active site of IAVs. However, similarly broadly protective antibodies against IBV NA have not been identified. Here, we isolated and characterized human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target IBV NA from an IBV-infected patient. Two mAbs displayed broad and potent capacity to inhibit IBV NA enzymatic activity, neutralize the virus in vitro, and protect against lethal IBV infection in mice in prophylactic and therapeutic settings. These mAbs inserted long CDR-H3 loops into the NA active site, engaging residues highly conserved among IBV NAs. These mAbs provide a blueprint for the development of improved vaccines and therapeutics against IBVs.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , Domínio Catalítico/imunologia , Vírus da Influenza B/imunologia , Neuraminidase/imunologia , Proteínas Virais/imunologia , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Linhagem Celular , Cães , Feminino , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Vírus da Influenza A/imunologia , Influenza Humana/imunologia , Leucócitos Mononucleares/imunologia , Células Madin Darby de Rim Canino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/imunologiaRESUMO
The primary two-dose SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine series are strongly immunogenic in humans, but the emergence of highly infectious variants necessitated additional doses and the development of vaccines aimed at the new variants1-4. SARS-CoV-2 booster immunizations in humans primarily recruit pre-existing memory B cells5-9. However, it remains unclear whether the additional doses induce germinal centre reactions whereby re-engaged B cells can further mature, and whether variant-derived vaccines can elicit responses to variant-specific epitopes. Here we show that boosting with an mRNA vaccine against the original monovalent SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine or the bivalent B.1.351 and B.1.617.2 (Beta/Delta) mRNA vaccine induced robust spike-specific germinal centre B cell responses in humans. The germinal centre response persisted for at least eight weeks, leading to significantly more mutated antigen-specific bone marrow plasma cell and memory B cell compartments. Spike-binding monoclonal antibodies derived from memory B cells isolated from individuals boosted with either the original SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, bivalent Beta/Delta vaccine or a monovalent Omicron BA.1-based vaccine predominantly recognized the original SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Nonetheless, using a more targeted sorting approach, we isolated monoclonal antibodies that recognized the BA.1 spike protein but not the original SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from individuals who received the mRNA-1273.529 booster; these antibodies were less mutated and recognized novel epitopes within the spike protein, suggesting that they originated from naive B cells. Thus, SARS-CoV-2 booster immunizations in humans induce robust germinal centre B cell responses and can generate de novo B cell responses targeting variant-specific epitopes.
Assuntos
Linfócitos B , Vacinas contra COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Centro Germinativo , Imunização Secundária , Humanos , Anticorpos Monoclonais/imunologia , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/imunologia , Anticorpos Antivirais/imunologia , COVID-19/imunologia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , COVID-19/virologia , Vacinas contra COVID-19/administração & dosagem , Vacinas contra COVID-19/imunologia , SARS-CoV-2/genética , SARS-CoV-2/imunologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/genética , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/imunologia , Linfócitos B/citologia , Linfócitos B/imunologia , Centro Germinativo/citologia , Centro Germinativo/imunologia , Plasmócitos/citologia , Plasmócitos/imunologia , Células B de Memória/citologia , Células B de Memória/imunologia , Epitopos de Linfócito B/genética , Epitopos de Linfócito B/imunologiaRESUMO
Antigen-specific B cells bifurcate into antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) and memory B cells (MBCs) after infection or vaccination. ASCs (plasmablasts) have been extensively studied in humans, but less is known about B cells that become activated but do not differentiate into plasmablasts. Here we have defined the phenotype and transcriptional program of a subset of antigen-specific B cells, which we have called 'activated B cells' (ABCs), that were distinct from ASCs and were committed to the MBC lineage. We detected ABCs in humans after infection with Ebola virus or influenza virus and also after vaccination. By simultaneously analyzing antigen-specific ASCs and ABCs in human blood after vaccination against influenza virus, we investigated the clonal overlap and extent of somatic hypermutation (SHM) in the ASC (effector) and ABC (memory) lineages. Longitudinal tracking of vaccination-induced hemagglutinin (HA)-specific clones revealed no overall increase in SHM over time, which suggested that repeated annual immunization might have limitations in enhancing the quality of influenza-virus-specific antibody.
Assuntos
Subpopulações de Linfócitos B/imunologia , Linfócitos B/imunologia , Ebolavirus/fisiologia , Doença pelo Vírus Ebola/imunologia , Vírus da Influenza A/fisiologia , Vacinas contra Influenza/imunologia , Influenza Humana/imunologia , Fator de Transcrição PAX5/metabolismo , Plasmócitos/imunologia , Adulto , Anticorpos Antivirais/sangue , Diferenciação Celular , Células Clonais , Glicoproteínas de Hemaglutininação de Vírus da Influenza/imunologia , Humanos , Memória Imunológica , Ativação Linfocitária , Hipermutação Somática de Imunoglobulina/genética , Vacinação , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Germinal centres (GC) are lymphoid structures in which B cells acquire affinity-enhancing somatic hypermutations (SHM), with surviving clones differentiating into memory B cells (MBCs) and long-lived bone marrow plasma cells1-5 (BMPCs). SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination induces a persistent GC response that lasts for at least six months in humans6-8. The fate of responding GC B cells as well as the functional consequences of such persistence remain unknown. Here, we detected SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-specific MBCs in 42 individuals who had received two doses of the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 six month earlier. Spike-specific IgG-secreting BMPCs were detected in 9 out of 11 participants. Using a combined approach of sequencing the B cell receptors of responding blood plasmablasts and MBCs, lymph node GC B cells and plasma cells and BMPCs from eight individuals and expression of the corresponding monoclonal antibodies, we tracked the evolution of 1,540 spike-specific B cell clones. On average, early blood spike-specific plasmablasts exhibited the lowest SHM frequencies. By contrast, SHM frequencies of spike-specific GC B cells increased by 3.5-fold within six months after vaccination. Spike-specific MBCs and BMPCs accumulated high levels of SHM, which corresponded with enhanced anti-spike antibody avidity in blood and enhanced affinity as well as neutralization capacity of BMPC-derived monoclonal antibodies. We report how the notable persistence of the GC reaction induced by SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in humans culminates in affinity-matured long-term antibody responses that potently neutralize the virus.
Assuntos
Linfócitos B , Vacina BNT162 , Centro Germinativo , Vacinação , Anticorpos Monoclonais , Anticorpos Antivirais , Linfócitos B/citologia , Linfócitos B/imunologia , Vacina BNT162/administração & dosagem , Vacina BNT162/imunologia , COVID-19/imunologia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , COVID-19/virologia , Centro Germinativo/citologia , Centro Germinativo/imunologia , Humanos , RNA Mensageiro/genética , SARS-CoV-2/genética , SARS-CoV-2/imunologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/imunologiaRESUMO
Current seasonal influenza vaccines, which mainly target hemagglutinin (HA), require annual updates due to the continuous antigenic drift of the influenza virus. Developing an influenza vaccine with increased breadth of protection will have significant public health benefits. The recent discovery of broadly protective antibodies to neuraminidase (NA) has provided important insights into developing a universal influenza vaccine, either by improving seasonal influenza vaccines or designing novel immunogens. However, further in-depth molecular characterizations of NA antibody responses are warranted to fully leverage broadly protective NA antibodies for influenza vaccine designs. Overall, we posit that focusing on NA for influenza vaccine development is synergistic with existing efforts targeting HA, and may represent a cost-effective approach to generating a broadly protective influenza vaccine.
Assuntos
Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1 , Vacinas contra Influenza , Influenza Humana , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae , Humanos , Infecções por Orthomyxoviridae/prevenção & controle , Neuraminidase , Anticorpos Antivirais , Influenza Humana/prevenção & controleRESUMO
Long-lived bone marrow plasma cells (BMPCs) are a persistent and essential source of protective antibodies1-7. Individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 have a substantially lower risk of reinfection with SARS-CoV-28-10. Nonetheless, it has been reported that levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum antibodies decrease rapidly in the first few months after infection, raising concerns that long-lived BMPCs may not be generated and humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 may be short-lived11-13. Here we show that in convalescent individuals who had experienced mild SARS-CoV-2 infections (n = 77), levels of serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S) antibodies declined rapidly in the first 4 months after infection and then more gradually over the following 7 months, remaining detectable at least 11 months after infection. Anti-S antibody titres correlated with the frequency of S-specific plasma cells in bone marrow aspirates from 18 individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 at 7 to 8 months after infection. S-specific BMPCs were not detected in aspirates from 11 healthy individuals with no history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We show that S-binding BMPCs are quiescent, which suggests that they are part of a stable compartment. Consistently, circulating resting memory B cells directed against SARS-CoV-2 S were detected in the convalescent individuals. Overall, our results indicate that mild infection with SARS-CoV-2 induces robust antigen-specific, long-lived humoral immune memory in humans.
Assuntos
Células da Medula Óssea/citologia , Células da Medula Óssea/imunologia , COVID-19/imunologia , Plasmócitos/citologia , Plasmócitos/imunologia , Adulto , Idoso , Sobrevivência Celular , Feminino , Humanos , Memória Imunológica , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , SARS-CoV-2/imunologia , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus/imunologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-based vaccines are about 95% effective in preventing COVID-191-5. The dynamics of antibody-secreting plasmablasts and germinal centre B cells induced by these vaccines in humans remain unclear. Here we examined antigen-specific B cell responses in peripheral blood (n = 41) and draining lymph nodes in 14 individuals who had received 2 doses of BNT162b2, an mRNA-based vaccine that encodes the full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) gene1. Circulating IgG- and IgA-secreting plasmablasts that target the S protein peaked one week after the second immunization and then declined, becoming undetectable three weeks later. These plasmablast responses preceded maximal levels of serum anti-S binding and neutralizing antibodies to an early circulating SARS-CoV-2 strain as well as emerging variants, especially in individuals who had previously been infected with SARS-CoV-2 (who produced the most robust serological responses). By examining fine needle aspirates of draining axillary lymph nodes, we identified germinal centre B cells that bound S protein in all participants who were sampled after primary immunization. High frequencies of S-binding germinal centre B cells and plasmablasts were sustained in these draining lymph nodes for at least 12 weeks after the booster immunization. S-binding monoclonal antibodies derived from germinal centre B cells predominantly targeted the receptor-binding domain of the S protein, and fewer clones bound to the N-terminal domain or to epitopes shared with the S proteins of the human betacoronaviruses OC43 and HKU1. These latter cross-reactive B cell clones had higher levels of somatic hypermutation as compared to those that recognized only the SARS-CoV-2 S protein, which suggests a memory B cell origin. Our studies demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-based vaccination of humans induces a persistent germinal centre B cell response, which enables the generation of robust humoral immunity.