The role of antigen recognition in the γδ T cell response at the controlled stage of M. tuberculosis infection.

γδ T cells contribute to host immune defense uniquely; but how they function in different stages (e.g., acute versus chronic) of a specific infection remains unclear. As the role of γδ T cells in early, active Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection is well documented, we focused on elucidating the γδ T cell response in persistent or controlled Mtb infection. Systems analysis of circulating gd T cells from a South African adolescent cohort identified a distinct population of CD8+ γδ T cells that expanded in this state. These cells had features indicative of persistent antigenic exposure but were robust cytolytic effectors and cytokine/chemokine producers. While these γδ T cells displayed an attenuated response to TCR-mediated stimulation, they expressed Natural Killer (NK) cell receptors and had robust CD16 (FcgRIIIA)-mediated cytotoxic response, suggesting alternative ways for gd T cells to control this stage of the infection. Despite this NK-like functionality, the CD8+ γδ T cells consisted of highly expanded clones, which utilized TCRs with different Vg/d pairs. Theses TCRs could respond to an Mtb-lysate, but not to phosphoantigens, which are components of Mtb-lysate that activate gd T cells in acute Mtb infection, indicating that the CD8+ γδ T cells were induced in a stage-specific, antigen-driven manner. Indeed, trajectory analysis showed that these γδ T cells arose from naive cells that had traversed distinct differentiation paths in this infection stage. Importantly, increased levels of CD8+ γδ T cells were also found in other chronic inflammatory conditions, including cardiovascular disease and cancer, suggesting that persistent antigenic exposure may lead to similar γδ T cell responses.

Previous Infection Combined with Vaccination Produces Neutralizing Antibodies With Potency Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants

SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve in humans. Spike protein mutations increase transmission and potentially evade antibodies raised against the original sequence used in current vaccines. Our evaluation of serum neutralizing activity in both persons soon after SARS-CoV-2 infection (in April 2020 or earlier) or vaccination without prior infection confirmed that common spike mutations can reduce antibody antiviral activity. However, when the persons with prior infection were subsequently vaccinated, their antibodies attained an apparent biologic ceiling of neutralizing potency against all tested variants, equivalent to the original spike sequence. These findings indicate that additional antigenic exposure further improves antibody efficacy against variants.

Two doses of the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine enhances antibody responses to variants in individuals with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection

Understanding the impact of prior infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on the response to vaccination is a priority for responding to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In particular, it is necessary to understand how prior infection plus vaccination can modulate immune responses against variants of concern. To address this, we sampled 20 individuals with and 25 individuals without confirmed previous SARS-CoV-2 infection from a large cohort of healthcare workers followed serologically since April 2020. All 45 individuals had received two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech BTN162b2 vaccine with a delayed booster at 10 weeks. Absolute and neutralizing antibody titers against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and variants were measured using enzyme immunoassays and pseudotype neutralization assays. We observed antibody reactivity against lineage A, B.1.351 and P.1 variants with increasing antigenic exposure, either through vaccination or natural infection. This improvement was further confirmed in neutralization assays using fixed dilutions of serum samples. The impact of antigenic exposure was more evident in enzyme immunoassays measuring SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-specific IgG antibody concentrations. Our data show that multiple exposures to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the context of a delayed booster expand the neutralizing breadth of the antibody response to neutralization-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants. This suggests that additional vaccine boosts may be beneficial in improving immune responses against future SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine breakthrough infections are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic and are infrequently transmitted.

Vaccine breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection was monitored in 3694 healthcare workers receiving 2 doses of BNT162b2. SARS-CoV2 infection was detected in 33 subjects, with a 3-months cumulative incidence of 0.90% and 0.42% in SARS-CoV-2-naive and experienced subjects, respectively. Vaccine protection was 87% in naive and 94% in experienced subjects when compared with a pre-vaccination control group. The infection was mildly symptomatic in 16 (48%) and asymptomatic in 17 (52%) subjects. Virus isolation was positive in 7/13 (54%) symptomatic and 4/8 (50%) asymptomatic subjects tested, and B.1.1.7 lineage was detected in all subjects. Antibody and T-cell responses were not reduced in subjects with breakthrough infection. Evidence of virus transmission, determined by contact tracing, was observed in two (6.1%) cases. This real-world data confirm the protective effect of the BNT162b2 vaccine. A triple antigenic exposure, as occurring in experienced subjects, may confer higher protection. Virus transmission from vaccinated subjects is infrequent.

Immune-histochemical indicators of the morpho-functional state of the thyroid gland in norm and after prenatal antigenic exposure

During the individual development and exposure to infectious agents of the organism, the structural components of the thyroid gland can change significantly. In modern research, great importance is attached to the study of mechanisms for maintaining morphological homeostasis of the thyroid gland and ideas about its structural and functional restructuring in response to the body's immune system to various infections. The morpho-functional features of the thyroid gland of newborn animals after prenatal action of thyroid-nonspecific antigen (staphylococcal toxoid) have been experimentally established. In antigen-premiumed rats, the timing of folliculogenesis changes, as well as the size, distribution and immunohistochemical expression of antibodies to thyroglobulin, the functional state of thyrocytes and follicles compared to normal. The detected immuno­histochemical changes indicate signs of morpho-functional immaturity of the organ with hypoactivity elements.

HLA Type and Chronic Viral Infection Impact Peripheral T-cell Receptor Sharing Between Unrelated Individuals

The human adaptive immune system must generate extraordinary diversity to be able to respond to all possible pathogens. The T-cell repertoire derives this high diversity through somatic recombination of the T-cell receptor (TCR) locus, a random process that results in repertoires that are largely private to each individual. However, certain factors such as low junctional diversity, thymic selection, and T-cell proliferation upon antigen exposure can affect TCR sharing among individuals. By immunosequencing the TCRβ variable region of 426 healthy individuals, we find that fewer than 1% of TCRβ clones are shared between individuals on average, consistent with largely private TCRβ repertoires. However, we detect a significant correlation between increased HLA allele sharing and increased number of shared TCRβ clones, with each additional shared HLA allele contributing to an increase in ~0.01% of the total TCRβ clones being shared, supporting a key role for HLA type in shaping the immune repertoire. Surprisingly, we find that shared antigen exposure to CMV leads to fewer shared TCRβ clones, even after controlling for HLA, indicative of a largely private response to major viral antigenic exposure. Consistent with this hypothesis, we find that increased age is correlated with decreased overall TCRβ clone sharing, indicating that the pattern of private TCRβ clonal expansion is a general feature of the T-cell response to other infectious antigens. All of these factors contribute to shaping the TCRβ repertoire, and understanding their interplay has important implications for the use of T cells for therapeutics and diagnostics.

Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue and Tertiary Lymphoid Structures of the Eye and Ear in Laboratory Animals

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) of special senses is poorly described and can be confused with nonspecific mononuclear cell infiltrates and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). In the eye, MALT consists mostly of conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) and lacrimal drainage-associated lymphoid tissue (LDALT). In humans, CALT and LDALT are important components of the normal eye-associated lymphoid tissue (EALT), but EALT is less frequently described in ocular tissues of animals. The EALT are acquired postnatally in preferential mucosal sites, expand with antigenic exposure, form well-developed lymphoid follicles, and are reported to senesce. Lymphoid follicles that are induced concurrently with chronic inflammation are more appropriately considered TLS but must be differentiated from inflammation in MALT. Less understood is the etiology for formation of lymphoid tissue aggregates in the ciliary body, limbus, or choroid of healthy eyes in animals and humans. In the healthy eustachian tube and middle ear of animals and humans, MALT may be present but is infrequently described. Concurrent with otitis media, lymphoid follicles in the eustachian tube are probably expanded MALT, but lymphoid follicles in the middle ear may be TLS. The purpose of this comparative review is to familiarize toxicologic pathologists with MALT in the special senses and to provide considerations for differentiating and reporting eye and ear MALT from immune or inflammatory cell infiltrates or inflammation in nonclinical studies, and the circumstances for reporting TLS in compartments of the eye and ear.