Innate immune responses to three doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

Abstract

To explore the effects of SARS-CoV-2-mRNA vaccines on innate immune responses we enrolled 58 individuals who received 3 doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine in a longitudinal study; 45 of these individuals had never been SARS-CoV-2 infected. Results showed that vaccination significantly increased: 1) classical and intermediate inflammatory monocytes, 2) CD56bright, CD56dim, and CD56dim/CD16dim NK cells, and 3) IFN-γ+ ;production as well as perforin and granzyme content by NK cells. Vaccination also reduced expression of the NK inhibitory receptor ILT-2, increasing that of the stimulatory molecule 2DS2. These effects were long-lasting and were boosted by every vaccine dose. Notably, ILT-2 expressing NK cells were reduced even more robustly in COVID-19-recovereed vaccines. BNT162b1 mRNA vaccine is known to induce potent adaptive immune responses; results herein show its ability to modulate innate immune responses as well, offering further support to the indication to proceed with worldwide vaccination efforts to end the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Innate and adaptive immune response in SARS-CoV-2 infection-Current perspectives

“…Based on the reduced anti-viral activity and antifibrotic activity of NK cells in patients with COVID-19, recovering their activities might be promising therapies against SAR-CoV-2. A recent study revealed that BNT162b1 mRNA vaccine significantly increased the quantity of CD56 bright , CD56 dim , and CD56 dim /CD16 dim NK cells, and with an increase in IFN-γ, perforin and granzyme content ( 56 ). This result offered further support to end the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with worldwide vaccination efforts ( 56 ).…”

“…A recent study revealed that BNT162b1 mRNA vaccine significantly increased the quantity of CD56 bright , CD56 dim , and CD56 dim /CD16 dim NK cells, and with an increase in IFN-γ, perforin and granzyme content ( 56 ). This result offered further support to end the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic with worldwide vaccination efforts ( 56 ). Therefore, the benefits of NK cell-based immunotherapy in patients with COVID-19 require further study.…”

Adenoviral-vectored next-generation respiratory mucosal vaccines against COVID-19

“…Even though VOC can evade mucosal neutralizing antibodies to cause infection, circulating memory T cells recruited to the lung enable protection by restraining viral replication and spread, resulting in milder disease outcomes [27] . Notably, current first-generation COVID-19 vaccines may also induce changes in circulating monocytes suggestive of “trained innate immunity” [28] , [29**] . Recruitment of these cells to the lung may also contribute to anti-viral immunity.…”

“…However, pre-clinical studies have been at odds with clinical studies in that BCG vaccination does not provide protection against SARS-CoV-2 [69] . Although recent studies have shed much-needed light on induction of TII, following mRNA or ChAdOx1 COVID-19 vaccination, these responses are likely restricted to the systemic compartments and their contribution to respiratory mucosal immunity remains unknown [28] , [29**] . In contrast, TII induced in alveolar macrophages following RM vaccination with AdV vaccines renders protection against respiratory infections including SARS-CoV-2 infection [38**] , [62] , [63] .…”

Acquired idiopathic generalized anhidrosis diagnosed following mRNA COVID‐19 vaccination—A case series

“…COVID-19 vaccine can induce or aggravate multiple skin diseases, mainly through immune modulation, both adaptive and innate. 7 Eccrine gland is also a skin appendage and part of our innate immune system, but reports of changes in eccrine glands following COVID-19 vaccination are rare. There are case reports of autonomic dysfunction following COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, but anhidrosis was not mentioned.…”