Vaccination of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals expands a broad range of clonally diverse affinity-matured B cell lineages

Nat Commun. 2023 Apr 19;14(1):2249. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-37972-1.

Abstract

Vaccination of SARS-CoV-2 convalescent individuals generates broad and potent antibody responses. Here, we isolate 459 spike-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from two individuals who were infected with the index variant of SARS-CoV-2 and later boosted with mRNA-1273. We characterize mAb genetic features by sequence assignments to the donors' personal immunoglobulin genotypes and assess antibody neutralizing activities against index SARS-CoV-2, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants. The mAbs used a broad range of immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) V genes in the response to all sub-determinants of the spike examined, with similar characteristics observed in both donors. IGH repertoire sequencing and B cell lineage tracing at longitudinal time points reveals extensive evolution of SARS-CoV-2 spike-binding antibodies from acute infection until vaccination five months later. These results demonstrate that highly polyclonal repertoires of affinity-matured memory B cells are efficiently recalled by vaccination, providing a basis for the potent antibody responses observed in convalescent persons following vaccination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • B-Lymphocytes
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Cell Lineage
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / genetics
  • Vaccination

Substances

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

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants