Vaccines (Apr 2023)

Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses to Vaccination for COVID-19 Are Negatively Impacted by Senescent T Cells: A Case Report

  • Eliane Aparecida Rosseto-Welter,
  • Silvia Sanches Rodrigues,
  • Amanda Braga de Figueiredo,
  • Carolina Nunes França,
  • Danielle Bruna Leal Oliveira,
  • André Luis Lacerda Bachi,
  • Jônatas Bussador do Amaral,
  • Ricardo Andreotti Siqueira,
  • Laiz Camerão Bento,
  • Ana Paula da Silva,
  • Nydia Strachman Bacal,
  • Carlos Eduardo dos Santos Ferreira,
  • Cristóvão Luis Pitangueira Mangueira,
  • João Renato Rebello Pinho

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines11040840
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 4
p. 840

Abstract

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Background: Herein, we aimed to follow up on the cellular and humoral immune responses of a group of individuals who initially received the CoronaVac vaccine, followed by a booster with the Pfizer vaccine. Methods: Blood samples were collected: before and 30 days after the first CoronaVac dose; 30, 90, and 180 days after the second CoronaVac dose, and also 20 days after the booster with the Pfizer vaccine. Results: Whilst the positivity to gamma interferon-type cellular response increased after the first CoronaVac dose, neutralizing and IgG antibody levels only raised 30 days after the second dose, followed by a drop in these responses after 90 and 180 days. The booster with the Pfizer vaccine elicited a robust cellular and humoral response. A higher number of double-negative and senescent T cells, as well as increased pro-inflammatory cytokines levels were found in the participants with lower humoral immune responses. Conclusion: CoronaVac elicited an early cellular response, followed by a humoral response, which dropped 90 days after the second dose. The booster with the Pfizer vaccine significantly enhanced these responses. Furthermore, a pro-inflammatory systemic status was found in volunteers who presented senescent T cells, which could putatively impair the immune response to vaccination.

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