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01-12-2021 | Vaccination | Research article

Comparative kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike protein RBD IgGs and neutralizing antibodies in convalescent and naïve recipients of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine versus COVID-19 patients

Authors: Ioannis P. Trougakos, Evangelos Terpos, Christina Zirou, Aimilia D. Sklirou, Filia Apostolakou, Sentiljana Gumeni, Ioanna Charitaki, Eleni-Dimitra Papanagnou, Tina Bagratuni, Christine-Ivy Liacos, Andreas Scorilas, Eleni Korompoki, Ioannis Papassotiriou, Efstathios Kastritis, Meletios A. Dimopoulos

Published in: BMC Medicine | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19, has caused a still evolving global pandemic. Given the worldwide vaccination campaign, the understanding of the vaccine-induced versus COVID-19-induced immunity will contribute to adjusting vaccine dosing strategies and speeding-up vaccination efforts.

Methods

Anti-spike-RBD IgGs and neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) titers were measured in BNT162b2 mRNA vaccinated participants (n = 250); we also investigated humoral and cellular immune responses in vaccinated individuals (n = 21) of this cohort 5 months post-vaccination and assayed NAbs levels in COVID-19 hospitalized patients (n = 60) with moderate or severe disease, as well as in COVID-19 recovered patients (n = 34).

Results

We found that one (boosting) dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine triggers robust immune (i.e., anti-spike-RBD IgGs and NAbs) responses in COVID-19 convalescent healthy recipients, while naïve recipients require both priming and boosting shots to acquire high antibody titers. Severe COVID-19 triggers an earlier and more intense (versus moderate disease) immune response in hospitalized patients; in all cases, however, antibody titers remain at high levels in COVID-19 recovered patients. Although virus infection promotes an earlier and more intense, versus priming vaccination, immune response, boosting vaccination induces antibody titers significantly higher and likely more durable versus COVID-19. In support, high anti-spike-RBD IgGs/NAbs titers along with spike (vaccine encoded antigen) specific T cell clones were found in the serum and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, respectively, of vaccinated individuals 5 months post-vaccination.

Conclusions

These findings support vaccination efficacy, also suggesting that vaccination likely offers more protection than natural infection.

Graphical abstract

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Title: Comparative kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike protein RBD IgGs and neutralizing antibodies in convalescent and naïve recipients of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine versus COVID-19 patients
Authors: Ioannis P. Trougakos
Evangelos Terpos
Christina Zirou
Aimilia D. Sklirou
Filia Apostolakou
Sentiljana Gumeni
Ioanna Charitaki
Eleni-Dimitra Papanagnou
Tina Bagratuni
Christine-Ivy Liacos
Andreas Scorilas
Eleni Korompoki
Ioannis Papassotiriou
Efstathios Kastritis
Meletios A. Dimopoulos
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Vaccination
SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
Published in: BMC Medicine / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1741-7015
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-021-02090-6

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Comparative kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike protein RBD IgGs and neutralizing antibodies in convalescent and naïve recipients of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine versus COVID-19 patients

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Graphical abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Graphical abstract

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