BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) vaccination- induced immunity is affected by age, gender and prior COVID-19 and activates responses to spike and other antigens

Hasan, Z.; Masood, K. I.; Qaiser, S.; Khan, E.; Hussain, A.; Ghous, Z.; Khan, U.; Yameen, M.; Hassan, I.; Nisar, M. I.; Qazi, M. F.; Memon, H. A.; Ali, S.; Baloch, S.; Bhutta, Z. A.; Veldhoen, M.; Simas, J. P.; Mahmood, S. F.; Hussain, R.; Ghias, K.

doi:10.1101/2022.11.30.518633

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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2022.11.30.518633

BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) vaccination- induced immunity is affected by age, gender and prior COVID-19 and activates responses to spike and other antigens

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Abstract

Long-term solutions against SARS-CoV-2 infections require understanding of immune protection induced by different vaccine COVID-19 formulations. We investigated humoral and cellular immunity induced by Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) in a region of high SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence. Levels of IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its receptor-binding domain (RBD) were determined 24-weeks. Cellular immunity was investigated using a commercially available IFN-{gamma} release assay to SARS-CoV-2 spike (Ag1 and 2) and extended genome antigens (Ag3). Increasing IgG seropositivity to Spike protein and RBD was observed post-vaccination. Seropositivity was reduced in those over 50 years and raised in females and those with prior COVID-19. After 20 weeks post-vaccination, only one third of participants had positive T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 antigens. Prior COVID-19 impacted IFN{gamma} responses, with reactivity enhanced in those infected earlier. The frequency of IFN{gamma} responses was highest to extended genome antigen set. Overall, BBIBP-CorV- induced antibody responses were impacted by age, gender and prior COVID-19. Cellular immunity was present in a limited number of individuals after 20 weeks but was enhanced by prior infection. This suggests the need for booster vaccinations in older individuals. BBIBP-CorV-induced cellular activation is broader than to spike, requiring further study to understand how to monitor vaccine effectiveness.

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Hasan, Z., Masood, K. I., Qaiser, S., Khan, E., Hussain, A., Ghous, Z., Khan, U., Yameen, M., Hassan, I., Nisar, M. I., Qazi, M. F., Memon, H. A., Ali, S., Baloch, S., Bhutta, Z. A., Veldhoen, M., Simas, J. P., Mahmood, S. F., Hussain, R., Ghias, K.. 2022-12-02. BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) vaccination- induced immunity is affected by age, gender and prior COVID-19 and activates responses to spike and other antigens. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.11.30.518633

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