Longitudinal Study after Sputnik V Vaccination Shows Durable SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies and Reduced Viral Variant Escape to Neutralization over Time.

Recent studies have shown a temporal increase in the neutralizing antibody potency and breadth to SARS-CoV-2 variants in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent individuals. Here, we examined longitudinal antibody responses and viral neutralizing capacity to the B.1 lineage virus (Wuhan related), to variants of concern (VOC; Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta), and to a local variant of interest (VOI; Lambda) in volunteers receiving the Sputnik V vaccine in Argentina. Longitudinal serum samples (N = 536) collected from 118 volunteers obtained between January and October 2021 were used. The analysis indicates that while anti-spike IgG levels significantly wane over time, the neutralizing capacity for the Wuhan-related lineages of SARS-CoV-2 and VOC is maintained within 6 months of vaccination. In addition, an improved antibody cross-neutralizing ability for circulating variants of concern (Beta and Gamma) was observed over time postvaccination. The viral variants that displayed higher escape to neutralizing antibodies with respect to the original virus (Beta and Gamma variants) were the ones showing the largest increase in susceptibility to neutralization over time after vaccination. Our observations indicate that serum neutralizing antibodies are maintained for at least 6 months and show a reduction of VOC escape to neutralizing antibodies over time after vaccination. IMPORTANCE Vaccines have been produced in record time for SARS-CoV-2, offering the possibility of halting the global pandemic. However, inequalities in vaccine accessibility in different regions of the world create a need to increase international cooperation. Sputnik V is a recombinant adenovirus-based vaccine that has been widely used in Argentina and other developing countries, but limited information is available about its elicited immune responses. Here, we examined longitudinal antibody levels and viral neutralizing capacity elicited by Sputnik V vaccination. Using a cohort of 118 volunteers, we found that while anti-spike antibodies wane over time, the neutralizing capacity to viral variants of concern and local variants of interest is maintained within 4 months of vaccination. In addition, we observed an increased cross-neutralization activity over time for the Beta and Gamma variants. This study provides valuable information about the immune response generated by a vaccine platform used in many parts of the world.

Creación de la colección COVID-19 del Biobanco de Enfermedades Infecciosas en Argentina / Establishment of a COVID-19 collection within the Biobank of Infectious Diseases in ArgentinaEsta obra está bajo una licencia de CreativeCommons Reconocimiento-NoComercial 4.0Internacionalhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/i

La pandemia de COVID-19 ha puesto en jaque a los sistemas de salud en el mundo; la vinculación entre la investigación biomédica y la práctica asistencial ha probado ser un requisito fundamental para dar respuesta a la misma de manera eficiente y rápida. En este sentido, los biobancos se constituyen como un componente clave ya que favorecen el almacenamiento de grandes volúmenes de muestras biológicas gestionadas en base a criterios que garanticen su óptima calidad, armonización y seguridad, respetando requisitos éticos y legales que aseguran los derechos de los ciudadanos. La cesión de estas muestras a distintos grupos de investigación promueve el desarrollo de nuevas herramientas diagnósticas y terapéuticas y vacunas. Frente a la llegada del SARS-CoV-2 a la Argentina, el Biobanco de Enfermedades Infecciosas estableció rápidamente la colección COVID-19 constituida por muestras de plasma, suero y células mononucleares de sangre periférica de personas cursando la enfermedad o recuperadas. En solo seis meses se enrolaron 825 donantes, lo que significa alrededor de 14.000 viales de material biológico almacenados y a disposición de los investigadores que lo soliciten. A tal efecto, se realizaron seis actos de cesión a diversos grupos pertenecientes a instituciones de investigación, mientras que tres se encuentran en evaluación. Las muestras cedidas han permitido, por ejemplo, el desarrollo de kits serológicos de producción nacional; lo que pone de manifiesto que el rápido establecimiento de esta colección, bajo un sistema de gestión eficiente, constituye una herramienta muy valiosa en la respuesta a esta nueva enfermedad

The COVID-19 pandemic has driven an unprecedented health crisis. Cooperation between biomedical research and healthcare practice has been shown to be a fundamental requirement to provide an efficient and timely response. In this regard, biobanks are key components since they allow the storage of large volumes of biological samples with guaranteed optimum quality, harmonization and safety, ensuring ethical and legal requirements which protect citizen rights. The transfer of these samples to different research groups fosters the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools as well as vaccines. Upon SARS-CoV-2 arrival to Argentina, the Biobank of Infectious Diseases rapidly established the COVID-19 collection comprised by plasma, serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells samples obtained from people within the acute phase of the infection or who have already recovered. In only 6 months, 825 donors were enrolled, representing around 14,000 vials of biological material stored and available to researchers who might require it. In this line, 6 transfer agreements have been already performed to different groups belonging to national research institutions, while 3 are under evaluation. The transferred samples have allowed, for instance, the development of nationally produced serologic kits, which shows that the rapid establishment of this collection, under an efficient management system, represents a highly valuable tool in the response to this new disease.