The BNT162b2 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine induces transient afucosylated IgG1 in naive but not in antigen-experienced vaccinees

Coillie, J. van; Pongracz, T.; Rahmoller, J.; Chen, H.J.; Geyer, C.E.; Vught, L.A. van; ... ; UMC COVID-19 S HCW Study Grp (2022)

Article / Letter to editor

Background: Afucosylated IgG1 responses have only been found against membrane-embedded epitopes, including anti-S in SARS-CoV-2 infections. These responses, intrinsically protective through enhanced Fc gamma RIIIa binding, can also trigger exacerbated pro-inflammatory responses in severe COVID-19. We investigated if the BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 mRNA also induced afucosylated IgG responses. Methods: Blood from vaccinees during the first vaccination wave was collected. Liquid chromatography-Mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was used to study anti-S IgG1 Fc glycoprofiles. Responsiveness of alveolar-like macrophages to produce proinflammatory cytokines in presence of sera and antigen was tested. Antigen-specific B cells were characterized and glycosyltransferase levels were investigated by Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). Findings: Initial transient afucosylated anti-S IgG1 responses were found in naive vaccinees, but not in antigen -experienced ones. All vaccinees had increased galactosylated and sialylated anti-S IgG1. Both naive and antigen -experienced vaccinees showed relatively low macrophage activation potential, as expected, due to the low antibody levels for naive individuals with afucosylated IgG1, and low afucosylation levels for antigen-experienced individuals with high levels of anti-S. Afucosylation levels correlated with FUT8 expression in antigen-specific plasma cells in naive individuals. Interestingly, low fucosylation of anti-S IgG1 upon seroconversion correlated with high anti-S IgG levels after the second dose. Interpretation: Here, we show that BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination induces transient afucosylated anti-S IgG1 responses in naive individuals. This observation warrants further studies to elucidate the clinical context in which potent afucosylated responses would be preferred. Copyright (c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

• mRNA Vaccine
• Antibodies
• Glycosylation
• Fucosylation
• COVID-19

• All authors: Coillie, J. van; Pongracz, T.; Rahmoller, J.; Chen, H.J.; Geyer, C.E.; Vught, L.A. van; Buhre, J.S.; Sustic, T.; Osch, T.L. van; Steenhuis, M.; Hoepel, W.; Wang, W.J.; Lixenfeld, A.S.; Nouta, J.; Keijzer, S.; Linty, F.; Visser, R.; Larsen, M.D.; Martin, E.L.; Kunsting, I.; Lehrian, S.; Kopylow, V. von; Kern, C.; Lunding, H.B.; Winther, M. de; Mourik, N. van; Rispens, T.; Graf, T.; Slim, M.A.; Minnaar, R.P.; Bomers, M.K.; Sikkens, J.J.; Vlaar, A.P.J.; Schoot, C.E. van der; Dunnen, J. den; Wuhrer, M.; Ehlers, M.; Vidarsson, G.; Fatebenefratelli-Sacco Infect Dis; UMC COVID-19 S HCW Study Grp
• Date: 2022-12-16
• Journal: EBioMedicine
• Volume: 87
• DOI: doi:10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104408