Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection enhances and reshapes spike protein-specific memory induced by vaccination

Sci Transl Med. 2023 Mar 15;15(687):eade0550. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.ade0550. Epub 2023 Mar 15.

Abstract

The diversity of vaccination modalities and infection history are both variables that have an impact on the immune memory of individuals vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. To gain more accurate knowledge of how these parameters imprint on immune memory, we conducted a long-term follow-up of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-specific immune memory in unvaccinated and vaccinated COVID-19 convalescent individuals as well as in infection-naïve vaccinated individuals. Here, we report that individuals from the convalescent vaccinated (hybrid immunity) group have the highest concentrations of spike protein-specific antibodies at 6 months after vaccination. As compared with infection-naïve vaccinated individuals, they also display increased frequencies of an atypical mucosa-targeted memory B cell subset. These individuals also exhibited enhanced TH1 polarization of their SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-specific follicular T helper cell pool. Together, our data suggest that prior SARS-CoV-2 infection increases the titers of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-specific antibody responses elicited by subsequent vaccination and induces modifications in the composition of the spike protein-specific memory B cell pool that are compatible with enhanced functional protection at mucosal sites.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Antibodies
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing