Booster Immunization Improves Memory B Cell Responses in Older Adults Unresponsive to Primary SARS-CoV-2 Immunization

Marije K. Verheul, Kim H. Nijhof, Mary-lène de Zeeuw-Brouwer, Geraly Duijm, Hinke ten Hulscher, Lia de Rond, Lisa Beckers, Dirk Eggink, Sophie van Tol, Johan Reimerink, Mardi Boer, Josine van Beek, Nynke Rots, Rob van Binnendijk, Anne-Marie Buisman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The generation of a specific long-term immune response to SARS-CoV-2 is considered important for protection against COVID-19 infection and disease. Memory B cells, responsible for the generation of antibody-producing plasmablasts upon a new antigen encounter, play an important role in this process. Therefore, the induction of memory B cell responses after primary and booster SARS-CoV-2 immunizations was investigated in the general population with an emphasis on older adults. Participants, 20–99 years of age, due to receive the mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine were included in the current study. Specific memory B cells were determined by ex vivo ELISpot assays. In a subset of participants, antibody levels, avidity, and virus neutralization capacity were compared to memory B cell responses. Memory B cells specific for both Spike S1 and receptor-binding domain (RBD) were detected in the majority of participants following the primary immunization series. However, a proportion of predominantly older adults showed low frequencies of specific memory B cells. Booster vaccination resulted in a large increase in the frequencies of S1- and RBD-specific memory B cells also for those in which low memory B cell frequencies were detected after the primary series. These data show that booster immunization is important for the generation of a memory B cell response, as a subset of older adults shows a suboptimal response to the primary SARS-CoV-2 immunization series. It is anticipated that these memory B cells will play a significant role in the immune response following viral re-exposure.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1196
JournalVaccines
Volume11
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2023

Keywords

  • SARS-CoV-2
  • antibodies
  • booster
  • coronavirus
  • memory B cells
  • older adults
  • primary vaccination

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