The mRNA-1273 vaccine induces cross-variant antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 with distinct profiles in individuals with or without pre-existing immunity

Tejedor Vaquero, Sonia, 1988-; Campos Mata, Leire de, 1991-; Ramada Rodilla, José María, 1961-; Díaz, Pilar; Navarro-Barriuso, Juan; Ribas-Llauradó, Clara; Rodrigo Melero, Natalia; Carolis, Carlo; Cerutti, Andrea, 1965-; Gimeno Martínez, Ramón; Magri, Giuliana, 1978-

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.737083

The mRNA-1273 vaccine induces cross-variant antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 with distinct profiles in individuals with or without pre-existing immunity

License

Citation

Tejedor Vaquero S, de Campos-Mata L, Ramada JM, Díaz P, Navarro-Barriuso J, Ribas-Llaurado C et al. The mRNA-1273 vaccine induces cross-variant antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 with distinct profiles in individuals with or without pre-existing immunity. Front Immunol. 2021;12:737083. DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.737083

Abstract

mRNA-based vaccines effectively induce protective neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, the etiological agent of COVID-19. Yet, the kinetics and compositional patterns of vaccine-induced antibody responses to the original strain and emerging variants of concern remain largely unknown. Here we characterized serum antibody classes and subclasses targeting the spike receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 wild type and α, β, γ and δ variants in a longitudinal cohort of SARS-CoV-2 naïve and COVID-19 recovered individuals receiving the mRNA-1273 vaccine. We found that mRNA-1273 vaccine recipients developed a SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody response with a subclass profile comparable to that induced by natural infection. Importantly, these antibody responses targeted both wild type SARS-CoV-2 as well as its α, β, γ and δ variants. Following primary vaccination, individuals with pre-existing immunity showed higher induction of all antibodies but IgG3 compared to SARS-CoV-2-naïve subjects. Unlike naïve individuals, COVID-19 recovered subjects did not mount a recall antibody response upon the second vaccine dose. In these individuals, secondary immunization resulted in a slight reduction of IgG1 against the receptor-binding domain of β and γ variants. Despite the lack of recall humoral response, vaccinees with pre-existing immunity still showed higher titers of IgG1 and IgA to all variants analyzed compared to fully vaccinated naïve individuals. Our findings indicate that mRNA-1273 vaccine triggered cross-variant antibody responses with distinct profiles in vaccinees with or without pre-existing immunity and suggest that individuals with prior history of SARS-CoV-2 infection may not benefit from the second mRNA vaccine dose with the current standard regimen.