Vaccines (Feb 2024)

Analysis of the Presence and Levels of IgG Antibodies Directed against the S1 Protein Receptor Binding Domain and the N Protein of SARS-CoV-2 in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Immunomodulatory Therapies

  • Joanna Kulikowska,
  • Katarzyna Kapica-Topczewska,
  • Monika Gudowska-Sawczuk,
  • Agnieszka Kulczyńska-Przybik,
  • Marcin Bazylewicz,
  • Anna Mirończuk,
  • Agata Czarnowska,
  • Waldemar Brola,
  • Barbara Mroczko,
  • Jan Kochanowicz,
  • Alina Kułakowska

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12030255
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 3
p. 255

Abstract

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The coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) course and serological statuses of patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are generally parallel that of the general population. Over the pandemic’s course, however, a notable increase in the number of RRMS patients who received vaccination against severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and those who had COVID-19 (symptomatic and asymptomatic) was reported. This virus and/or vaccination likely influenced DMT-treated RRMS patients’ serological statuses regarding the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and their quantitative expression. This investigation assesses the presence and levels of the antibody directed against the S1 protein receptor binding domain (SRBD) and against the N protein of SARS-CoV-2 in 38 DMT-treated RRMS patients. The findings indicate that people vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 exhibited significantly higher levels of IgG antibodies against S1-RBD at both assessment points. Patients with a prior history of COVID-19 demonstrated statistically significant increases in anti-N antibodies at visit 1, whereas such statistical significance was not observed at visit 2. DMT-treated RRMS patients generated neutralizing antibodies following vaccination and/or COVID-19 infection. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy that antibody levels more accurately reflect the serological status and exhibit a stronger correlation with vaccination than just the presence of antibodies.

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