Dichotomy between the humoral and cellular responses elicited by mRNA and adenoviral vector vaccines against SARS-CoV-2

BMC Med. 2022 Jan 25;20(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s12916-022-02252-0.

Abstract

Background: Protection from severe disease and hospitalization by SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has been amply demonstrated by real-world data. However, the rapidly evolving pandemic raises new concerns. One pertains efficacy of adenoviral vector-based vaccines, particularly the single-dose Ad26.COV2.S, relative to mRNA vaccines.

Main body: We investigated the immunogenicity of Ad26.COV2.S and mRNA vaccines in 33 subjects vaccinated with either vaccine class 5 months earlier on average. After controlling for the time since vaccination, Spike-binding antibody and neutralizing antibody levels were higher in the mRNA-vaccinated subjects, while no significant differences in antigen-specific B cell and T cell responses were observed between the two groups.

Conclusions: A dichotomy exists between the humoral and cellular responses elicited by the two vaccine classes. Testing only for humoral responses to compare the durability of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced responses, as typically performed for public health and research purposes, is insufficient.

Keywords: Ad26.COV2.S; Antibody binding; Antigen-specific B cells; Antigen-specific T cells; BNT162b2; Neutralizing antibodies; mRNA-1273.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Ad26COVS1
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19 Vaccines*
  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Humoral
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Vaccination
  • mRNA Vaccines

Substances

  • Ad26COVS1
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • RNA, Messenger
  • mRNA Vaccines