Long-Lasting Enhanced Cytokine Responses Following SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccination
Vaccines, 2024
Cabău G., Badii M., Mirea A., Gaal O., van Emst L., Popp R., Crișan T., Joosten L.
Disease area | Application area | Sample type | Products |
---|---|---|---|
Infectious Diseases | Pathophysiology | Plasma | Olink Target 96 |
Abstract
The mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 protects against severe disease by the induction of robust humoral and cellular responses. Recent studies have shown the capacity of some vaccines to induce enduring non-specific innate immune responses by the induction of trained immunity, augmenting protection against unrelated pathogens. This study aimed to assess whether the mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 can induce lasting non-specific immune responses in myeloid cells following a three-dose vaccination scheme. In a sample size consisting of 20 healthy individuals from Romania, we assessed inflammatory proteins using the Olink® Target 96 Inflammation panel, as well as ex vivo cytokine responses following stimulations with unrelated PRR ligands. We assessed the vaccine-induced non-specific systemic inflammation and functional adaptations of myeloid cells. Our results revealed the induction of a stimulus- and cytokine-dependent innate immune memory phenotype that became apparent after the booster dose and was maintained eight months later in the absence of systemic inflammation.