The Journal of Clinical Investigation (Jun 2022)

Favorable vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2–specific T cell response profile in patients undergoing immune-modifying therapies

  • Martin Qui,
  • Nina Le Bert,
  • Webber Pak Wo Chan,
  • Malcolm Tan,
  • Shou Kit Hang,
  • Smrithi Hariharaputran,
  • Jean Xiang Ying Sim,
  • Jenny Guek Hong Low,
  • Weiling Ng,
  • Wei Yee Wan,
  • Tiing Leong Ang,
  • Antonio Bertoletti,
  • Ennaliza Salazar

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 132, no. 12

Abstract

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BACKGROUND Patients undergoing immune-modifying therapies demonstrate a reduced humoral response after COVID-19 vaccination, but we lack a proper evaluation of the effect of such therapies on vaccine-induced T cell responses.METHODS We longitudinally characterized humoral and spike-specific T cell responses in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), who were on antimetabolite therapy (azathioprine or methotrexate), TNF inhibitors, and/or other biologic treatment (anti-integrin or anti-p40) for up to 6 months after completing 2-dose COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.RESULTS We demonstrate that a spike-specific T cell response was not only induced in treated patients with IBD at levels similar to those of healthy individuals, but also sustained at higher magnitude for up to 6 months after vaccination, particularly in those treated with TNF inhibitor therapy. Furthermore, the spike-specific T cell response in these patients was mainly preserved against mutations present in SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) and characterized by a Th1/IL-10 cytokine profile.CONCLUSION Despite the humoral response defects, patients under immune-modifying therapies demonstrated a favorable profile of vaccine-induced T cell responses that might still provide a layer of COVID-19 protection.FUNDING This study was funded by the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) Catalyst Grant (FY2021ES) and the National Research Fund Competitive Research Programme (NRF-CRP25-2020-0003).

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