Immunological features that associate with the strength of antibody responses to BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Predictive clinical factors associated with favorable responses to BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 have been reported in some studies; however, there is a subgroup with low antibodytiters without well-known clinical factors reducing antibody responses. To clarify the immunological backgrounds that underlie the difference in antibody responses, we analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of each 20 individuals with a high anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titer and a low antibody titer out of 1774 healthcare workers who received BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. A higher percentage of B cells before vaccination was associated with a higher antibody titer. Among B cells, naïve and transitional B cell frequencies were positively correlated with a higher antibody titer, whereas the frequencies of late memory B cells and plasmablasts were associated with a lower antibody titer. Fold change in the frequency of activated CD8⁺ T cells upon vaccination was also correlated with high antibody titers.

Keywords: BNT162b2; COVID-19; PBMC; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccine; naïve B cells.