scholarly journals Immune escape of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant from mRNA vaccination-elicited RBD-specific memory B cells.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurelien Sokal ◽  
Matteo Broketa ◽  
Annalisa Meola ◽  
Giovanna Barba-Spaeth ◽  
Ignacio Fernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Immune Escape ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Immune Protection ◽  
Neutralizing Activity ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Specific Memory

Memory B cells (MBCs) represent a second layer of immune protection against SARS-CoV-2. Whether MBCs elicited by mRNA vaccines can recognize the Omicron variant is of major concern. We used bio-layer interferometry to assess the affinity against the receptor-binding-domain (RBD) of Omicron spike of 313 naturally expressed monoclonal IgG that were previously tested for affinity and neutralization against VOC prior to Omicron. We report here that Omicron evades recognition from a larger fraction of these antibodies than any of the previous VOCs. Additionally, whereas 30% of these antibodies retained high affinity against Omicron-RBD, our analysis suggest that Omicron specifically evades antibodies displaying potent neutralizing activity against the D614G and Beta variant viruses. Further studies are warranted to understand the consequences of a lower memory B cell potency on the overall protection associated with current vaccines.

scholarly journals Vaccination boosts naturally enhanced neutralizing breadth to SARS-CoV-2 one year after infection

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zijun Wang ◽  
Frauke Muecksch ◽  
Dennis Schaefer-Babajew ◽  
Shlomo Finkin ◽  
Charlotte Viant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Humoral Response ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Neutralizing Activity ◽  
Specific Memory ◽  
Cell Clones ◽  
One Year ◽  
Over Time

Over one year after its inception, the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains difficult to control despite the availability of several excellent vaccines. Progress in controlling the pandemic is slowed by the emergence of variants that appear to be more transmissible and more resistant to antibodies. Here we report on a cohort of 63 COVID-19-convalescent individuals assessed at 1.3, 6.2 and 12 months after infection, 41% of whom also received mRNA vaccines. In the absence of vaccination antibody reactivity to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2, neutralizing activity and the number of RBD-specific memory B cells remain relatively stable from 6 to 12 months. Vaccination increases all components of the humoral response, and as expected, results in serum neutralizing activities against variants of concern that are comparable to or greater than neutralizing activity against the original Wuhan Hu-1 achieved by vaccination of naive individuals. The mechanism underlying these broad-based responses involves ongoing antibody somatic mutation, memory B cell clonal turnover, and development of monoclonal antibodies that are exceptionally resistant to SARS-CoV-2 RBD mutations, including those found in variants of concern. In addition, B cell clones expressing broad and potent antibodies are selectively retained in the repertoire over time and expand dramatically after vaccination. The data suggest that immunity in convalescent individuals will be very long lasting and that convalescent individuals who receive available mRNA vaccines will produce antibodies and memory B cells that should be protective against circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. Should memory responses evolve in a similar manner in vaccinated individuals, additional appropriately timed boosting with available vaccines could cover most circulating variants of concern.

scholarly journals Vaccination boosts protective responses and counters SARS-CoV-2-induced pathogenic memory B cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaj Kumar Mishra ◽  
Natalie Bruiners ◽  
Rahul Ukey ◽  
Pratik Datta ◽  
Alberta Onyuka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Cell Subset ◽  
Mechanistic Explanation ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Immune Priming ◽  
Neutralizing Activity ◽  
Specific Memory ◽  
Rapid Spread

AbstractGiven the rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the recent implementation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, we have much to learn about the duration of immune protection and the interface between the immune responses to infection and to vaccination. To address these questions, we monitored immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in convalescent individuals over seven months and following mRNA vaccination. Spike Receptor-Binding-Domain (RBD)-specific circulating antibodies and plasma neutralizing activity generally decreased over time, whereas RBD-specific memory B cells persisted. Additionally, using antibody depletion techniques, we showed that the neutralizing activity of plasma specifically resides in the anti-RBD antibodies. More vigorous antibody and B cell responses to vaccination were observed in previously infected subjects relative to uninfected comparators, presumably due to immune priming by infection. SARS-CoV-2 infection also led to increased numbers of double negative B memory cells, which are described as a dysfunctional B cell subset. This effect was reversed by SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, providing a potential mechanistic explanation for the vaccination-induced reduction in symptoms in patients with “Long-COVID”.

scholarly journals S protein-reactive IgG and memory B cell production after human SARS-CoV-2 infection includes broad reactivity to the S2 subunit

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phuong Nguyen-Contant ◽  
A. Karim Embong ◽  
Preshetha Kanagaiah ◽  
Francisco A. Chaves ◽  
Hongmei Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Cell Immunity ◽  
Antibody Levels

ABSTRACTThe high susceptibility of humans to SARS-CoV-2 infection, the cause of COVID-19, reflects the novelty of the virus and limited preexisting B cell immunity. IgG against the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, which carries the novel receptor binding domain (RBD), is absent or at low levels in unexposed individuals. To better understand the B cell response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, we asked whether virus-reactive memory B cells (MBCs) were present in unexposed subjects and whether MBC generation accompanied virus-specific IgG production in infected subjects. We analyzed sera and PBMCs from non-SARS-CoV-2-exposed healthy donors and COVID-19 convalescent subjects. Serum IgG levels specific for SARS-CoV-2 proteins (S, including the RBD and S2 subunit, and nucleocapsid [N]) and non-SARS-CoV-2 proteins were related to measurements of circulating IgG MBCs. Anti-RBD IgG was absent in unexposed subjects. Most unexposed subjects had anti-S2 IgG and a minority had anti-N IgG, but IgG MBCs with these specificities were not detected, perhaps reflecting low frequencies. Convalescent subjects had high levels of IgG against the RBD, S2, and N, together with large populations of RBD- and S2-reactive IgG MBCs. Notably, IgG titers against the S protein of the human coronavirus OC43 in convalescent subjects were higher than in unexposed subjects and correlated strongly with anti-S2 titers. Our findings indicate cross-reactive B cell responses against the S2 subunit that might enhance broad coronavirus protection. Importantly, our demonstration of MBC induction by SARS-CoV-2 infection suggests that a durable form of B cell immunity is maintained even if circulating antibody levels wane.IMPORTANCERecent rapid worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2 has established a pandemic of potentially serious disease in the highly susceptible human population. Key questions are whether humans have preexisting immune memory that provides some protection against SARS-CoV-2 and whether SARS-CoV-2 infection generates lasting immune protection against reinfection. Our analysis focused on pre- and post-infection IgG and IgG memory B cells (MBCs) reactive to SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Most importantly, we demonstrate that infection generates both IgG and IgG MBCs against the novel receptor binding domain and the conserved S2 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Thus, even if antibody levels wane, long-lived MBCs remain to mediate rapid antibody production. Our study also suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection strengthens preexisting broad coronavirus protection through S2-reactive antibody and MBC formation.

scholarly journals S Protein-Reactive IgG and Memory B Cell Production after Human SARS-CoV-2 Infection Includes Broad Reactivity to the S2 Subunit

mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Phuong Nguyen-Contant ◽  
A. Karim Embong ◽  
Preshetha Kanagaiah ◽  
Francisco A. Chaves ◽  
Hongmei Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Cell Immunity ◽  
Antibody Levels

ABSTRACT The high susceptibility of humans to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), reflects the novelty of the virus and limited preexisting B cell immunity. IgG against the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, which carries the novel receptor binding domain (RBD), is absent or at low levels in unexposed individuals. To better understand the B cell response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, we asked whether virus-reactive memory B cells (MBCs) were present in unexposed subjects and whether MBC generation accompanied virus-specific IgG production in infected subjects. We analyzed sera and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from non-SARS-CoV-2-exposed healthy donors and COVID-19 convalescent subjects. Serum IgG levels specific for SARS-CoV-2 proteins (S, including the RBD and S2 subunit, and nucleocapsid [N]) and non-SARS-CoV-2 proteins were related to measurements of circulating IgG MBC levels. Anti-RBD IgG was absent in unexposed subjects. Most unexposed subjects had anti-S2 IgG, and a minority had anti-N IgG, but IgG MBCs with these specificities were not detected, perhaps reflecting low frequencies. Convalescent subjects had high levels of IgG against the RBD, S2, and N, together with large populations of RBD- and S2-reactive IgG MBCs. Notably, IgG titers against the S protein of the human coronavirus OC43 were higher in convalescent subjects than in unexposed subjects and correlated strongly with anti-S2 titers. Our findings indicate cross-reactive B cell responses against the S2 subunit that might enhance broad coronavirus protection. Importantly, our demonstration of MBC induction by SARS-CoV-2 infection suggests that a durable form of B cell immunity is maintained even if circulating antibody levels wane. IMPORTANCE The recent rapid worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2 has established a pandemic of potentially serious disease in the highly susceptible human population. Key issues are whether humans have preexisting immune memory that provides some protection against SARS-CoV-2 and whether SARS-CoV-2 infection generates lasting immune protection against reinfection. Our analysis focused on pre- and postinfection IgG and IgG memory B cells (MBCs) reactive to SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Most importantly, we demonstrate that infection generates both IgG and IgG MBCs against the novel receptor binding domain and the conserved S2 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Thus, even if antibody levels wane, long-lived MBCs remain to mediate rapid antibody production. Our study results also suggest that SARS-CoV-2 infection strengthens preexisting broad coronavirus protection through S2-reactive antibody and MBC formation.

scholarly journals Antigen-Specific B Cell Memory

2000 ◽  
Vol 191 (7) ◽  
pp. 1149-1166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise J. McHeyzer-Williams ◽  
Melinda Cool ◽  
Michael G. McHeyzer-Williams
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Cell Memory ◽  
Specific Memory ◽  
B Cell Memory ◽  
Cellular Components

The mechanisms that regulate B cell memory and the rapid recall response to antigen remain poorly defined. This study focuses on the rapid expression of B cell memory upon antigen recall in vivo, and the replenishment of quiescent B cell memory that follows. Based on expression of CD138 and B220, we reveal a unique and major subtype of antigen-specific memory B cells (B220−CD138−) that are distinct from antibody-secreting B cells (B220+/−CD138+) and B220+CD138− memory B cells. These nonsecreting somatically mutated B220− memory responders rapidly dominate the splenic response and comprise >95% of antigen-specific memory B cells that migrate to the bone marrow. By day 42 after recall, the predominant quiescent memory B cell population in the spleen (75–85%) and the bone marrow (>95%) expresses the B220− phenotype. Upon adoptive transfer, B220− memory B cells proliferate to a lesser degree but produce greater amounts of antibody than their B220+ counterparts. The pattern of cellular differentiation after transfer indicates that B220− memory B cells act as stable self-replenishing intermediates that arise from B220+ memory B cells and produce antibody-secreting cells on rechallenge with antigen. Cell surface phenotype and Ig isotype expression divide the B220− compartment into two main subsets with distinct patterns of integrin and coreceptor expression. Thus, we identify new cellular components of B cell memory and propose a model for long-term protective immunity that is regulated by a complex balance of committed memory B cells with subspecialized immune function.

scholarly journals Broad Hemagglutinin-Specific Memory B Cell Expansion by Seasonal Influenza Virus Infection Reflects Early-Life Imprinting and Adaptation to the Infecting Virus

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda L. Tesini ◽  
Preshetha Kanagaiah ◽  
Jiong Wang ◽  
Megan Hahn ◽  
Jessica L. Halliley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
B Cells ◽  
Virus Infection ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Specific Antibody ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Influenza Virus Infection ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Specific Memory ◽  
Original Antigenic Sin

ABSTRACTMemory B cells (MBCs) are key determinants of the B cell response to influenza virus infection and vaccination, but the effect of different forms of influenza antigen exposure on MBC populations has received little attention. We analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma collected following human H3N2 influenza infection to investigate the relationship between hemagglutinin-specific antibody production and changes in the size and character of hemagglutinin-reactive MBC populations. Infection produced increased concentrations of plasma IgG reactive to the H3 head of the infecting virus, to the conserved stalk, and to a broad chronological range of H3s consistent with original antigenic sin responses. H3-reactive IgG MBC expansion after infection included reactivity to head and stalk domains. Notably, expansion of H3 head-reactive MBC populations was particularly broad and reflected original antigenic sin patterns of IgG production. Findings also suggest that early-life H3N2 infection “imprints” for strong H3 stalk-specific MBC expansion. Despite the breadth of MBC expansion, the MBC response included an increase in affinity for the H3 head of the infecting virus. Overall, our findings indicate that H3-reactive MBC expansion following H3N2 infection is consistent with maintenance of response patterns established early in life, but nevertheless includes MBC adaptation to the infecting virus.IMPORTANCERapid and vigorous virus-specific antibody responses to influenza virus infection and vaccination result from activation of preexisting virus-specific memory B cells (MBCs). Understanding the effects of different forms of influenza virus exposure on MBC populations is therefore an important guide to the development of effective immunization strategies. We demonstrate that exposure to the influenza hemagglutinin via natural infection enhances broad protection through expansion of hemagglutinin-reactive MBC populations that recognize head and stalk regions of the molecule. Notably, we show that hemagglutinin-reactive MBC expansion reflects imprinting by early-life infection and that this might apply to stalk-reactive, as well as to head-reactive, MBCs. Our findings provide experimental support for the role of MBCs in maintaining imprinting effects and suggest a mechanism by which imprinting might confer heterosubtypic protection against avian influenza viruses. It will be important to compare our findings to the situation after influenza vaccination.

scholarly journals Memory B Cell Responses to Vibrio cholerae O1 Lipopolysaccharide Are Associated with Protection against Infection from Household Contacts of Patients with Cholera in Bangladesh

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 842-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sweta M. Patel ◽  
Mohammad Arif Rahman ◽  
M. Mohasin ◽  
M. Asrafuzzaman Riyadh ◽  
Daniel T. Leung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Vibrio Cholerae ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Household Contacts ◽  
Specific Memory ◽  
Specific Igg ◽  
Protection Against Infection

ABSTRACTVibrio choleraeO1 causes cholera, a dehydrating diarrheal disease. We have previously shown thatV. cholerae-specific memory B cell responses develop after cholera infection, and we hypothesize that these mediate long-term protective immunity against cholera. We prospectively followed household contacts of cholera patients to determine whether the presence of circulatingV. choleraeO1 antigen-specific memory B cells on enrollment was associated with protection againstV. choleraeinfection over a 30-day period. Two hundred thirty-six household contacts of 122 index patients with cholera were enrolled. The presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-specific IgG memory B cells in peripheral blood on study entry was associated with a 68% decrease in the risk of infection in household contacts (P= 0.032). No protection was associated with cholera toxin B subunit (CtxB)-specific memory B cells or IgA memory B cells specific to LPS. These results suggest that LPS-specific IgG memory B cells may be important in protection against infection withV. choleraeO1.

Agonist for Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 9 Amplifies as Well as Inhibits the Differentiation of FVIII-Specific Memory B Cells into Antibody-Producing Plasma Cells in Vitro and in Vivo.

Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3382-3382
Author(s):  
Peter Allacher ◽  
Christina Hausl ◽  
Aniko Ginta Pordes ◽  
Rafi Uddin Ahmad ◽  
Hartmut J Ehrlich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Memory B Cell ◽  
Cpg Dna ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Specific Memory ◽  
B Cell Responses

Abstract Memory B cells are essential for maintaining long-term antibody responses. They can persist for years even in the absence of antigen and are rapidly re-stimulated to differentiate into antibody-producing plasma cells when they encounter their specific antigen. Previously we demonstrated that ligands for TLR 7 and 9 amplify the differentiation of FVIII-specific memory B cells into anti-FVIII antibody-producing plasma cells at low concentrations of FVIII and prevent the inhibition of memory-B-cell differentiation at high concentrations of FVIII. The modulation of FVIII-specific memory-B-cell responses by agonists for TLR is highly relevant for the design of new immunotherapeutic approaches in patients with FVIII inhibitors because TLR are activated by a range of different viral and bacterial components. Specifically, TLR 7 is triggered by single-stranded RNA derived from viruses and TLR 9 is triggered by bacterial DNA containing unmethylated CpG motifs. We further explored the modulation of FVIII-specific memory-B-cell responses by agonists for TLRs by studying a broad range of concentrations of CpG DNA, a ligand for TLR 9, both in vitro and in vivo using the murine E17 model of hemophilia A. We used CpG-DNA in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10,000 ng/ml to study the modulation of FVIII-specific memory-B-cell responses in vitro and verified the specificity of the effects observed by including a blocking agent for TLR 9 and GpC-DNA, a non-stimulating negative control for CpG DNA. Furthermore, we used doses of CpG DNA ranging from 10 to 50,000 ng per dose to study the modulation of FVIII-specific memory-B-cell responses in vivo. E17 hemophilic mice were treated with a single intravenous dose of 200 ng FVIII to stimulate the generation of FVIII-specific memory B cells and were subsequently treated with another dose of FVIII that was given together with CpG DNA. We analyzed titers of anti-FVIII antibodies in the circulation of these mice one week after the second dose of FVIII. Previously we had shown that a single dose of 200 ng FVIII, given intravenously to E17 hemophilic mice, stimulates the formation of FVIII-specific memory B cells but is not sufficient to induce anti-FVIII antibodies that would be detectable in the circulation. Our results demonstrate a biphasic effect of CpG DNA on the re-stimulation of FVIII-specific memory B cells and their differentiation into antibody-producing plasma cells. Both in vitro and in vivo studies show that CpG DNA at high doses inhibits the re-stimulation and differentiation of FVIII-specific memory B cells. However, CpG DNA at low doses amplifies these processes. Amplification and inhibition of memory-B-cell responses are due to specific interactions of CpG DNA with TLR 9. Both effects are blocked by addition of a blocking agent for TLR 9 in vitro. We conclude that triggering of TLR 9 by bacterial DNA has a substantial influence on FVIII-specific memory-B-cell responses. The consequence of TLR 9 triggering can be inhibitory or stimulatory, depending on the actual concentration of the bacterial DNA. Our findings demonstrate the potential modulatory effects of bacterial infections on the regulation of FVIII inhibitor development.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 sculpts the immune system to induce sustained virus-specific naïve-like and memory B cell responses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leire de Campos-Mata ◽  
Sonia Tejedor Vaquero ◽  
Roser Tachó-Piñot ◽  
Janet Piñero ◽  
Emilie K. Grasset ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Specific Memory ◽  
Virus Specific Antibody ◽  
B Cell Responses ◽  
B Cell Precursors

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces virus-reactive memory B cells expressing unmutated antibodies, which hints at their emergence from naïve B cells. Yet, the dynamics of virus-specific naïve B cells and their impact on immunity and immunopathology remain unclear. Here, we longitudinally studied moderate to severe COVID-19 patients to dissect SARS-CoV-2-specific B cell responses overtime. We found a broad virus-specific antibody response during acute infection, which evolved into an IgG1-dominated response during convalescence. Acute infection was associated with increased mature B cell progenitors in the circulation and the unexpected expansion of virus-targeting naïve-like B cells that further augmented during convalescence together with virus-specific memory B cells. In addition to a transitory increase in tissue-homing CXCR3+ plasmablasts and extrafollicular memory B cells, most COVID-19 patients showed persistent activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells along with transient or long-lasting changes of key innate immune cells. Remarkably, virus-specific antibodies and the frequency of naïve B cells were among the major variables defining distinct immune signatures associated with disease severity and inflammation. Aside from providing new insights into the complexity of the immune response to SARS-CoV-2, our findings indicate that the de novo recruitment of mature B cell precursors into the periphery may be central to the induction of antiviral immunity.

scholarly journals Memory B cells control SARS-CoV-2 variants upon mRNA vaccination of naive and COVID-19 recovered individuals.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurelien Sokal ◽  
Giovanna Barba-Spaeth ◽  
Ignacio Fernandez ◽  
Matteo Broketa ◽  
Imane Azzaoui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
B Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Memory B Cells ◽  
Memory B Cell ◽  
Memory Response ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
Serum Response

How a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection may amplify and model the memory B cell (MBC) response elicited by mRNA vaccines was addressed by a comparative longitudinal study of two cohorts, naive individuals and disease-recovered patients, up to 2 months after vaccination. The quality of the memory response was assessed by analysis of the VDJ repertoire, affinity and neutralization against variants of concerns (VOC), using unbiased cultures of 2452 MBCs. Upon boost, the MBC pool of recovered patients selectively expanded, further matured and harbored potent neutralizers against VOC. Maturation of the MBC response in naive individuals was much less pronounced. Nevertheless, and as opposed to their weaker neutralizing serum response, half of their RBD-specific MBCs displayed high affinity towards multiple VOC and one-third retained neutralizing potency against B.1.351. Thus, repeated vaccine challenges could reduce these differences by recall of affinity-matured MBCs and allow naive vaccinees to cope efficiently with VOC.

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