Neutralizing antibody and T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants by heterologous CoronaVac/ChAdOx-1 vaccination in elderly subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Vaccine. 2023 Sep 15;41(40):5901-5909. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.08.034. Epub 2023 Aug 18.

Abstract

Background: Data on humoral and cellular immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 after receiving heterologous CoronaVac/ChAdOx-1 (CoVac/ChAd) vaccination in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are still limited. Therefore, we determined the neutralizing antibody (NAb) and T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 wild type (WT) and variants of concern (VOCs) in COPD patients.

Methods: The levels of NAb as well as specific CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses against SARS-CoV-2 WT and VOCs were determined in COPD patients before and after vaccination.

Results: Four weeks after vaccinations, the median levels of % inhibition of NAb against SARS-CoV-2 WT, Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants were significantly higher compared to pre-vaccination. The induction of NAb against Omicron was very low compared to other variants. At four weeks after vaccination, in comparison to pre-vaccination, the increasing trend of TNF-α-, IFN-γ-, IL-4-, IL-17-, IL-10-, and FasL-producing CD4 T-cells upon stimulation with WT spike peptides were demonstrated. No difference in T-cell responses to spike peptides of Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants and their WT homologs was observed.

Conclusion: Heterologous CoVac/ChAd vaccine induced the production of NAb against SARS-CoV-2 WT, Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants, but low for Omicron in COPD patients. Induction of CD4 T-cell subset responses was slightly observed by this vaccine regimen.

Clinical trials registry: This study was approved by the Clinical Trials Registry (Study ID: TCTR20210822002).

Keywords: Adenovirus-vectored vaccine; COPD; Elderly; Heterologous COVID-19 vaccine; SARS-CoV-2; Variants of concern.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2*
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • sinovac COVID-19 vaccine

Supplementary concepts

  • SARS-CoV-2 variants

Associated data

  • TCTR/TCTR-20210822002