Persistence of MERS-CoV-spike-specific B cells and antibodies after late third immunization with the MVA-MERS-S vaccine
Leonie M Weskamm, Anahita Fathi, Matthijs P Raadsen, Anna Z Mykytyn, Till Koch, Michael Spohn, Monika Friedrich, MVA-MERS-S Study Group, Bart L Haagmans, Stephan Becker, Gerd Sutter, Christine Dahlke, Marylyn M Addo, Etienne Bartels, Swantje Gundlach, Thomas Hesterkamp, Verena Krähling, Susan Lassen, My Linh Ly, Joseph H Pötsch, Stefan Schmiedel, Asisa Volz, Madeleine E Zinser, Leonie M Weskamm, Anahita Fathi, Matthijs P Raadsen, Anna Z Mykytyn, Till Koch, Michael Spohn, Monika Friedrich, MVA-MERS-S Study Group, Bart L Haagmans, Stephan Becker, Gerd Sutter, Christine Dahlke, Marylyn M Addo, Etienne Bartels, Swantje Gundlach, Thomas Hesterkamp, Verena Krähling, Susan Lassen, My Linh Ly, Joseph H Pötsch, Stefan Schmiedel, Asisa Volz, Madeleine E Zinser
Abstract
The Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) is a respiratory disease caused by MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV). In follow up to a phase 1 trial, we perform a longitudinal analysis of immune responses following immunization with the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-based vaccine MVA-MERS-S encoding the MERS-CoV-spike protein. Three homologous immunizations were administered on days 0 and 28 with a late booster vaccination at 12 ± 4 months. Antibody isotypes, subclasses, and neutralization capacity as well as T and B cell responses were monitored over a period of 3 years using standard and bead-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), 50% plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT50), enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot), and flow cytometry. The late booster immunization significantly increases the frequency and persistence of spike-specific B cells, binding immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) and neutralizing antibodies but not T cell responses. Our data highlight the potential of a late boost to enhance long-term antibody and B cell immunity against MERS-CoV. Our findings on the MVA-MERS-S vaccine may be of relevance for coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination strategies.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03615911.
Keywords: IgG ELISpot; IgG subclasses; MERS-CoV; MVA-MERS-S; immune persistence; late booster vaccination; long-term immunity; memory B cells; neutralizing antibodies; viral vector vaccine.
Conflict of interest statement
Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests.
Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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