Differences in B-Cell Immunophenotypes and Neutralizing Antibodies Against SARS-CoV-2 After Administration of BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) Vaccine in Individuals with and without Prior COVID-19 - A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Purpose Understanding the humoral immune response dynamics carried out by B cells in COVID-19 vaccination is little explored; therefore, we analyze the changes induced in the different cellular subpopulations of B cells after vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech). Methods This prospective cohort study evaluated thirty-nine immunized health workers (22 with prior COVID-19 and 17 without prior COVID-19) and ten subjects not vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 (control group). B cell subpopulations (transitional, mature, naïve, memory, plasmablasts, early plasmablast, and double-negative B cells) and neutralizing antibody levels were analyzed and quantified by flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. Results The dynamics of the B cells subpopulations after vaccination showed the following pattern: the percentage of transitional B cells was higher in the prior COVID-19 group ( p < 0.05), whereas virgin B cells were more prevalent in the group without prior COVID-19 ( p < 0.05), mature B cells predominated in both vaccinated groups ( p < 0.01), and memory B cells, plasmablasts, early plasmablasts, and double-negative B cells were higher in the not vaccinated group ( p < 0.05). Conclusion BNT162b2 vaccine induces changes in B cell subpopulations, especially generating plasma cells and producing neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. However, the previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 does not significantly alter the dynamics of these subpopulations but induces more rapid and optimal antibody production.

Immune Profile Determines Response to Vaccination against COVID-19 in Kidney Transplant Recipients

“…Transitional B-cells are immature forms of B-lymphocytes, serving as mature B-cell precursors. Their maturation process depends on their Ag exposure and results in the translocation of the produced mature cells into germ centers, where they can differentiate into memory cells and, finally, plasma cells [18]. Consequently, it was not to our surprise that patients who effectively responded to the third dose had demonstrated more elevated concentrations of that particular subpopulation at baseline.…”

The Effect of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination on B-Cell Phenotype in Systemic Sclerosis Patients

“…They found that the BNT162b2 vaccine induces changes in B-cell subpopulations, especially generating plasma cells and producing neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, previous infection with SARS-CoV-2 did not significantly alter the dynamics of these subpopulations but induced more rapid and optimal antibody production [21]. In this study, we found a reduction of naive B cells and an increase in IgM-memory, switched-memory, and CD21 low B cells in SSc patients after vaccination.…”

Immune cell populations and induced immune responses at admission in patients hospitalized with vaccine breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections

“…B-cell concentration has been strongly correlated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody production in immunocompromised patients ( 24 ). However, this association has not been observed in immunocompetent patients ( 25 , 26 ). Our results, showing decreased B-cell concentrations in vaccinated patients, may indicate a suboptimal B-cell function in these patients, which would potentially contribute to hospital admission despite vaccination.…”

“…A reduced humoral response following vaccination could contribute to impaired COVID-19 immunity and hence admission to hospital despite COVID-19 vaccination. B-cell concentration has been strongly correlated with SARS-CoV-2 antibody production in immunocompromised patients (24). However, this association has not been observed in immunocompetent patients (25, 26).…”