Longitudinal analysis of memory T follicular helper cells and antibody response following CoronaVac vaccination

Abstract

AbstractThe inactivated vaccine CoronaVac is one of the most widely used COVID-19 vaccines globally. However, the longitudinal evolution of the immune response induced by CoronaVac remains elusive compared to other vaccine platforms. Here, we recruited 88 healthy individuals that received 3 doses of CoronaVac vaccine. We longitudinally evaluated their polyclonal and antigen-specific CD4+T cells and neutralizing antibody response after receiving each dose of vaccine for over 300 days. Both the 2ndand 3rddose of vaccination induced robust spike-specific neutralizing antibodies, with a 3rdvaccine further increased the overall magnitude of antibody response, and neutralization against Omicron sub-lineages B.1.1.529, BA.2, BA.4/BA.5 and BA.2.75.2. Spike-specific CD4+T cell and circulating T follicular helper (cTFH) cells were markedly increased by the 2ndand 3rddose of CoronaVac vaccine, accompanied with altered composition of functional cTFHcell subsets with distinct effector and memory potential. Additionally, cTFHcells are positively correlated with neutralizing antibody titers. Our results suggest that CoronaVac vaccine-induced spike-specific T cells are capable of supporting humoral immunity for long-term immune protection.