Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

May 13, 2021

mRNA Vaccine-Induced SARS-CoV-2-Specific T Cells Recognize B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 Variants but Differ in Longevity and Homing Properties Depending on Prior Infection Status

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  • [Pre-print, not peer-reviewed] CD4+ T cell responses elicited by COVID-19 mRNA vaccines respond similarly to spike protein epitopes derived from the SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants of concern and the ancestral strain, based on an analysis of 24 specimens obtained at 3 different timepoints from 8 fully vaccinated individuals. The second vaccine dose appeared to elicit a quantitative increase of spike-specific T cells in individuals without prior infection (n=4), but not in those with prior infection (n=4). Regardless of history of infection, the second dose did not change T cell phenotype. The authors conclude that T cell phenotype among those with prior infection indicates superior long-term persistence as compared to those without prior infection.

Neidleman et al. (May 12, 2021). mRNA Vaccine-Induced SARS-CoV-2-Specific T Cells Recognize B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 Variants but Differ in Longevity and Homing Properties Depending on Prior Infection Status. Pre-print downloaded May 13 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.05.12.443888