Influence of obesity on serum levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in COVID-19 patients

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2), cause of COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease of 2019), represents a significant risk to people living with pre-existing conditions associated with exacerbated inflammatory responses and consequent dysfunctional immunity. In this paper, we have evaluated the influence of obesity, a condition associated with chronic systemic inflammation, on the secretion of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies in the blood of COVID-19 patients. Our hypothesis is that obesity is associated with reduced amounts of specific IgG antibodies. Results have confirmed our hypothesis and have shown that SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies are negatively associated with Body Mass Index (BMI) in COVID-19 obese patients, as expected based on the known influence of obesity on humoral immunity. Antibodies in COVID-19 obese patients are also negatively associated with serum levels of pro-inflammatory and metabolic markers of inflammaging and pulmonary inflammation, such as SAA (serum amyloid A protein), CRP (C-reactive protein), and ferritin, but positively associated with NEFA (nonesterified fatty acids). These results altogether could help to identify an inflammatory signature with strong predictive value for immune dysfunction. Inflammatory markers identified may subsequently be targeted to improve humoral immunity in individuals with obesity and in individuals with other chronic inflammatory conditions.

Persistence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies Six Months after Infection in an Outbreak with Five Hundred COVID-19 Cases in Borriana (Spain): A Prospective Cohort Study

“…These results are in line with our finding, where low BMI was associated with negative antibodies. However, in obese COVID-19 patients, a reverse association has been observed between high BMI and lower SARS-CoV-2 antibodies [41]. In addition, the increase of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the second survey was associated with age older, higher BMI, more severe disease [42] and low current smoke.…”

Anti-CD20 therapies decrease humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in patients with multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

“…Other factors can influence seroconversion rates, including obesity, 29 COVID-19 severity or IgG level, as assessed in our cohort.…”

SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike antibody titres after vaccination with BNT162b2 in naïve and previously infected individuals

“…Intriguingly is the positive association found between the anti-S1 antibody titres and the BMI. Indeed, SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies have been negatively associated with BMI in COVID-19 obese patients [ 13 ]. This is in accordance with what has been observed after influenza infection or influenza vaccination, which has been linked to the higher inflammation, the reduced number of suppressive T-regulatory cells and the decreased populations of bone marrow–resident B cells observed among obese individuals [ 14 , 15 ].…”