|
1
|
Priddey A, Chen-Xu MXH, Cooper DJ, MacMillan S, Meisl G, Xu CK, Hosmillo M, Goodfellow IG, Kollyfas R, Doffinger R, Bradley JR, Mohorianu II, Jones R, Knowles TPJ, Smith R, Kosmoliaptsis V. Microfluidic antibody profiling after repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccination links antibody affinity and concentration to impaired immunity and variant escape in patients on anti-CD20 therapy. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1296148. [PMID: 38259440 PMCID: PMC10800570 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1296148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with autoimmune/inflammatory conditions on anti-CD20 therapies, such as rituximab, have suboptimal humoral responses to vaccination and are vulnerable to poorer clinical outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection. We aimed to examine how the fundamental parameters of antibody responses, namely, affinity and concentration, shape the quality of humoral immunity after vaccination in these patients. Methods We performed in-depth antibody characterisation in sera collected 4 to 6 weeks after each of three vaccine doses to wild-type (WT) SARS-CoV-2 in rituximab-treated primary vasculitis patients (n = 14) using Luminex and pseudovirus neutralisation assays, whereas we used a novel microfluidic-based immunoassay to quantify polyclonal antibody affinity and concentration against both WT and Omicron (B.1.1.529) variants. We performed comparative antibody profiling at equivalent timepoints in healthy individuals after three antigenic exposures to WT SARS-CoV-2 (one infection and two vaccinations; n = 15) and in convalescent patients after WT SARS-CoV-2 infection (n = 30). Results Rituximab-treated patients had lower antibody levels and neutralisation titres against both WT and Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants compared to healthy individuals. Neutralisation capacity was weaker against Omicron versus WT both in rituximab-treated patients and in healthy individuals. In the rituximab cohort, this was driven by lower antibody affinity against Omicron versus WT [median (range) KD: 21.6 (9.7-38.8) nM vs. 4.6 (2.3-44.8) nM, p = 0.0004]. By contrast, healthy individuals with hybrid immunity produced a broader antibody response, a subset of which recognised Omicron with higher affinity than antibodies in rituximab-treated patients [median (range) KD: 1.05 (0.45-1.84) nM vs. 20.25 (13.2-38.8) nM, p = 0.0002], underpinning the stronger serum neutralisation capacity against Omicron in the former group. Rituximab-treated patients had similar anti-WT antibody levels and neutralisation titres to unvaccinated convalescent individuals, despite two more exposures to SARS-CoV-2 antigen. Temporal profiling of the antibody response showed evidence of affinity maturation in healthy convalescent patients after a single SARS-CoV-2 infection, which was not observed in rituximab-treated patients, despite repeated vaccination. Discussion Our results enrich previous observations of impaired humoral immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 in rituximab-treated patients and highlight the significance of quantitative assessment of serum antibody affinity and concentration in monitoring anti-viral immunity, viral escape, and the evolution of the humoral response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Priddey
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Xin Hua Chen-Xu
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel James Cooper
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Serena MacMillan
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Georg Meisl
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine K. Xu
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Myra Hosmillo
- Department of Pathology, Division of Virology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ian G. Goodfellow
- Department of Pathology, Division of Virology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rafael Kollyfas
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rainer Doffinger
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - John R. Bradley
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Irina I. Mohorianu
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Jones
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Rona Smith
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Vasilis Kosmoliaptsis
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- NIHR Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Organ Donation and Transplantation at the University of Cambridge and the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Colmegna I, Valerio V, Amiable N, Useche M, Rampakakis E, Flamand L, Rollet-Labelle E, Bessette L, Fitzcharles MA, Hazel E, McCormack D, Michou L, Panopalis P, Langlois MA, Bernatsky S, Fortin PR. COVID-19 Vaccine in Immunosuppressed Adults with Autoimmune rheumatic Diseases (COVIAAD): safety, immunogenicity and antibody persistence at 12 months following Moderna Spikevax primary series. RMD Open 2023; 9:e003400. [PMID: 38030231 PMCID: PMC10689388 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the safety, immunogenicity and cellular responses following the Moderna Spikevax primary series in rheumatic disease. METHODS We conducted a 12-month, prospective, non-randomised, open-label, comparative trial of adults with either rheumatoid arthritis (RA, n=131) on stable treatment; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, n=23) on mycophenolate mofetil (MMF); other rheumatic diseases on prednisone ≥10 mg/day (n=8) or age-matched/sex-matched controls (healthy control, HC, n=58). Adverse events (AEs), humoral immune responses (immunogenicity: IgG positivity for anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its receptor binding domain, neutralising antibodies (NAbs)), cellular responses (ELISpot) and COVID-19 infection rates were assessed. RESULTS Frequency of solicited self-reported AEs following vaccination was similar across groups (HC 90%, RA 86%, SLE 90%); among them, musculoskeletal AEs were more frequent in RA (HC 48% vs RA 66% (Δ95% CI CI 3 to 32.6)). Disease activity scores did not increase postvaccination. No vaccine-related serious AEs were reported. Postvaccination immunogenicity was reduced in RA and SLE (RA 90.2%, SLE 86.4%; for both, ΔCIs compared with HC excluded the null). Similarly, NAbs were reduced among patients (RA 82.6%, SLE 81.8%). In RA, age >65 (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.8) and rituximab treatment (OR 0.003, 95% CI 0.001 to 0.02) were negative predictors of immunogenicity. ELISpot was positive in 16/52 tested RA and 17/26 HC (ΔCI 11.2-53.3). During the study, 11 HC, 19 RA and 3 SLE patients self-reported COVID-infection. CONCLUSION In COVID-19 Vaccine in Immunosuppressed Adults with Autoimmune Diseases, the Moderna Spikevax primary series was safe. MMF, RA age >65 and rituximab were associated with reduced vaccine-induced protection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ines Colmegna
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Valeria Valerio
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nathalie Amiable
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mariana Useche
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Louis Flamand
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Emmanuelle Rollet-Labelle
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Louis Bessette
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
- Universite Laval Faculte de medecine, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mary-Ann Fitzcharles
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Hazel
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Laëtitia Michou
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pantelis Panopalis
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marc-André Langlois
- Department of Biochemistry Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sasha Bernatsky
- Clinical Epidemiology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Rheumatology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Paul R Fortin
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, Quebec, Canada
- Medicine - Rheumatology, Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite Laval, Sainte-Foy, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Stai S, Fylaktou A, Kasimatis E, Xochelli A, Lioulios G, Nikolaidou V, Papadopoulou A, Myserlis G, Iosifidou AM, Iosifidou MA, Papagianni A, Yannaki E, Tsoulfas G, Stangou M. Immune Profile Determines Response to Vaccination against COVID-19 in Kidney Transplant Recipients. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1583. [PMID: 37896986 PMCID: PMC10611345 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11101583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Immune status profile can predict response to vaccination, while lymphocyte phenotypic alterations represent its effectiveness. We prospectively evaluated these parameters in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) regarding Tozinameran (BNT162b2) vaccination. METHOD In this prospective monocenter observational study, 39 adult KTRs, on stable immunosuppression, naïve to COVID-19, with no protective humoral response after two Tozinameran doses, received the third vaccination dose, and, based on their immunity activation, they were classified as responders or non-responders. Humoral and cellular immunities were assessed at predefined time points (T0: 48 h before the first, T1: 48 h prior to the third and T2: three weeks after the third dose). RESULTS Responders, compared to non-responders, had a higher total and transitional B-lymphocyte count at baseline (96.5 (93) vs. 51 (52)cells/μL, p: 0.045 and 9 (17) vs. 1 (2)cells/μL, p: 0.031, respectively). In the responder group, there was a significant increase, from T0 to T1, in the concentrations of activated CD4+ (from 6.5 (4) to 10.08 (11)cells/μL, p: 0.001) and CD8+ (from 8 (19) to 14.76 (16)cells/μL, p: 0.004) and a drop in CD3+PD1+ T-cells (from 130 (121) to 30.44 (25)cells/μL, p: 0.001), while naïve and transitional B-cells increased from T1 to T2 (from 57.55 (66) to 1149.3 (680)cells/μL, p < 0.001 and from 1.4 (3) to 17.5 (21)cells/μL, p: 0.003). The percentages of memory and marginal zone B-lymphocytes, and activated CD4+, CD8+ and natural killer (NK) T-cells significantly increased, while those of naïve B-cells and CD3+PD1+ T-cells reduced from T0 to T1. CONCLUSIONS Responders and non-responders to the third BNT162b2 dose demonstrated distinct initial immune cell profiles and changes in cellular subpopulation composition following vaccination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stamatia Stai
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 45642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.S.); (E.K.); (G.L.); (G.M.); (A.M.I.); (M.A.I.); (A.P.); (G.T.)
- Department of Nephrology, Hippokration Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Asimina Fylaktou
- Department of Immunology, National Histocompatibility Center, Hippokration General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.F.); (A.X.); (V.N.)
| | - Efstratios Kasimatis
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 45642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.S.); (E.K.); (G.L.); (G.M.); (A.M.I.); (M.A.I.); (A.P.); (G.T.)
- Department of Nephrology, Hippokration Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Aliki Xochelli
- Department of Immunology, National Histocompatibility Center, Hippokration General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.F.); (A.X.); (V.N.)
| | - Georgios Lioulios
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 45642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.S.); (E.K.); (G.L.); (G.M.); (A.M.I.); (M.A.I.); (A.P.); (G.T.)
- Department of Nephrology, Hippokration Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Nikolaidou
- Department of Immunology, National Histocompatibility Center, Hippokration General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.F.); (A.X.); (V.N.)
| | - Anastasia Papadopoulou
- Hematology Department, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Gene and Cell Therapy Center, “George Papanikolaou” Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.P.); (E.Y.)
| | - Grigorios Myserlis
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 45642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.S.); (E.K.); (G.L.); (G.M.); (A.M.I.); (M.A.I.); (A.P.); (G.T.)
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Hippokration General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Artemis Maria Iosifidou
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 45642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.S.); (E.K.); (G.L.); (G.M.); (A.M.I.); (M.A.I.); (A.P.); (G.T.)
| | - Myrto Aikaterini Iosifidou
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 45642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.S.); (E.K.); (G.L.); (G.M.); (A.M.I.); (M.A.I.); (A.P.); (G.T.)
| | - Aikaterini Papagianni
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 45642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.S.); (E.K.); (G.L.); (G.M.); (A.M.I.); (M.A.I.); (A.P.); (G.T.)
- Department of Nephrology, Hippokration Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Evangelia Yannaki
- Hematology Department, Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Unit, Gene and Cell Therapy Center, “George Papanikolaou” Hospital, 57010 Thessaloniki, Greece; (A.P.); (E.Y.)
| | - Georgios Tsoulfas
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 45642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.S.); (E.K.); (G.L.); (G.M.); (A.M.I.); (M.A.I.); (A.P.); (G.T.)
- Department of Transplant Surgery, Hippokration General Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Stangou
- School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 45642 Thessaloniki, Greece; (S.S.); (E.K.); (G.L.); (G.M.); (A.M.I.); (M.A.I.); (A.P.); (G.T.)
- Department of Nephrology, Hippokration Hospital, 54642 Thessaloniki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
|
4
|
Seree-aphinan C, Ratanapokasatit Y, Suchonwanit P, Rattanakaemakorn P, O-Charoen P, Pisitkun P, Suangtamai T, Setthaudom C, Chirasuthat S, Chanprapaph K. Optimal time for COVID-19 vaccination in rituximab-treated dermatologic patients. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1138765. [PMID: 37006291 PMCID: PMC10050596 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1138765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundBy depleting circulating B lymphocytes, rituximab time-dependently suppresses coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines’ humoral immunogenicity for a prolonged period. The optimal time to vaccinate rituximab-exposed immune-mediated dermatologic disease (IMDD) patients is currently unclear.ObjectiveTo estimate the vaccination timeframe that equalized the occurrence of humoral immunogenicity outcomes between rituximab-exposed and rituximab-naïve IMDD patients.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study recruited rituximab-exposed and age-matched rituximab-naïve subjects tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific immunity post-vaccination. Baseline clinical and immunological data (i.e., immunoglobulin levels, lymphocyte immunophenotyping) and SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity levels were extracted. The outcomes compared were the percentages of subjects who produced neutralizing antibodies (seroconversion rates, SR) and SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG levels among seroconverters. The outcomes were first analyzed using multiple regressions adjusted for the effects of corticosteroid use, steroid-spearing agents, and pre-vaccination immunological status (i.e., IgM levels, the percentages of the total, naïve, and memory B lymphocytes) to identify rituximab-related immunogenicity outcomes. The rituximab-related outcome differences with a 95% confidence interval (CI) between groups were calculated, starting by including every subject and then narrowing down to those with longer rituximab-to-vaccination intervals (≥3, ≥6, ≥9, ≥12 months). The desirable cut-off performances were <25% outcome inferiority observed among rituximab-exposed subgroups compared to rituximab-naïve subjects, and the positive likelihood ratio (LR+) for the corresponding outcomes ≥2.FindingsForty-five rituximab-exposed and 90 rituximab-naive subjects were included. The regression analysis demonstrated a negative association between rituximab exposure status and SR but not with SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG levels. Nine-month rituximab-to-vaccination cut-off fulfilled our prespecified diagnostic performance (SR difference between rituximab-exposed and rituximab-naïve group [95%CI]: -2.6 [-23.3, 18.1], LR+: 2.6) and coincided with the repopulation of naïve B lymphocytes in these patients.ConclusionsNine months of rituximab-to-vaccination interval maximize the immunological benefits of COVID-19 vaccines while avoiding unnecessary delay in vaccination and rituximab treatment for IMDD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chutima Seree-aphinan
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yanisa Ratanapokasatit
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Poonkiat Suchonwanit
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ploysyne Rattanakaemakorn
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Pichaya O-Charoen
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Prapaporn Pisitkun
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thanitta Suangtamai
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chavachol Setthaudom
- Immunology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sonphet Chirasuthat
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kumutnart Chanprapaph
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Kumutnart Chanprapaph,
| |
Collapse
|
|
5
|
Stefanski AL, Rincon-Arevalo H, Schrezenmeier E, Karberg K, Szelinski F, Ritter J, Chen Y, Meisel C, Jahrsdörfer B, Ludwig C, Schrezenmeier H, Lino AC, Dörner T. Persistent but atypical germinal center reaction among 3rd SARS-CoV-2 vaccination after rituximab exposure. Front Immunol 2022; 13:943476. [PMID: 36032111 PMCID: PMC9399943 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.943476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Durable vaccine-mediated immunity relies on the generation of long-lived plasma cells and memory B cells (MBCs), differentiating upon germinal center (GC) reactions. SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination induces a strong GC response in healthy volunteers (HC), but limited data is available about response longevity upon rituximab treatment. Methods We evaluated humoral and cellular responses upon 3rd vaccination in seven patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who initially mounted anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies after primary 2x vaccination and got re-exposed to rituximab (RTX) 1-2 months after the second vaccination. Ten patients with RA on other therapies and ten HC represented the control groups. As control for known long-lived induced immunity, we analyzed humoral and cellular tetanus toxoid (TT) immune responses in steady-state. Results After 3rd vaccination, 5/7 seroconverted RTX patients revealed lower anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels but similar neutralizing capacity compared with HC. Antibody levels after 3rd vaccination correlated with values after 2nd vaccination. Despite significant reduction of circulating total and antigen-specific B cells in RTX re-exposed patients, we observed the induction of IgG+ MBCs upon 3rd vaccination. Notably, only RTX treated patients revealed a high amount of IgA+ MBCs before and IgA+ plasmablasts after 3rd vaccination. IgA+ B cells were not part of the steady state TT+ B cell pool. TNF-secretion and generation of effector memory CD4 spike-specific T cells were significantly boosted upon 3rd vaccination. Summary On the basis of pre-existing affinity matured MBCs within primary immunisation, RTX re-exposed patients revealed a persistent but atypical GC immune response accompanied by boosted spike-specific memory CD4 T cells upon SARS-CoV-2 recall vaccination.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Luisa Stefanski
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Rheumaforschungszentrum (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Ana-Luisa Stefanski,
| | - Hector Rincon-Arevalo
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Rheumaforschungszentrum (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Grupo de Inmunología Celular e Inmunogenética, Facultad de Medicina, Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas, Universidad de Antioquia (UdeA), Medellín, Colombia
| | - Eva Schrezenmeier
- Deutsches Rheumaforschungszentrum (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
- Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Academy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kirsten Karberg
- Rheumatology Outpatient Office RheumaPraxis Steglitz, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franziska Szelinski
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Rheumaforschungszentrum (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jacob Ritter
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health (BIH) Academy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yidan Chen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Rheumaforschungszentrum (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Meisel
- Department of Medical Immunology, Charité University Medicine and Labor Berlin-Charité Vivantes, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Jahrsdörfer
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics, German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service Baden-Württemberg – Hessen and University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Carolin Ludwig
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics, German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service Baden-Württemberg – Hessen and University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Hubert Schrezenmeier
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Institute for Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics, German Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service Baden-Württemberg – Hessen and University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Dörner
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Deutsches Rheumaforschungszentrum (DRFZ), Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
|
6
|
Bizjak M, Heshin-Bekenstein M, Jansen MHA, Ziv A, Angevare S, Uziel Y, Wulffraat NM, Toplak N. Vaccinology in pediatric rheumatology: Past, present and future. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:1098332. [PMID: 36704144 PMCID: PMC9872015 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.1098332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
With the introduction of biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), the treatment of pediatric patients with autoimmune/inflammatory rheumatic diseases (pedAIIRD) has advanced from the "Stone Age" to modern times, resulting in much better clinical outcomes. However, everything comes with a price, and use of new bDMARDs has resulted in an increased risk of infections. Therefore, preventing infections in pedAIIRD patients is one of the top priorities. The most effective preventive measure against infection is vaccination. The first study on humoral immunity after vaccination in pediatric rheumatology was published in 1974 and on safety in 1993. For many years, data about safety and immunogenicity in pedAIIRD patients were available only for non-live vaccines and the first studies on live-attenuated vaccines in pedAIIRD patients treated with immunosuppressive therapy were available only after 2007. Even today the data are limited, especially for children treated with bDMARDs. Vaccinations with non-live vaccines are nowadays recommended, although their long-term immunogenicity and efficacy in pedAIIRD patients are still under investigation. Vaccinations with live-attenuated vaccines are not universally recommended in immunosuppressed patients. However, measles-mumps-rubella booster and varicella zoster virus vaccination can be considered under specific conditions. Additional research is needed to provide more evidence on safety and immunogenicity, especially regarding live-attenuated vaccines in immunosuppressed patients with pedAIIRD. Due to the limited number of these patients, well-designed, prospective, international studies are needed. Further challenges were presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. This mini review article reviews past and present data and discusses the future of vaccinology in pediatric rheumatology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masa Bizjak
- Department of Allergology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Merav Heshin-Bekenstein
- Pediatric Rheumatology Service, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Marc H A Jansen
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Amit Ziv
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Saskya Angevare
- European Network for Children with Arthritis, Geneva, Switzerland.,KAISZ, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Yosef Uziel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Nicolaas M Wulffraat
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Rheumatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Faculty of Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Natasa Toplak
- Department of Allergology, Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | |
Collapse
|