Systems biology analysis reveals distinct molecular signatures promoting immune responsiveness to the BNT162b COVID-19 vaccine [bulk RNA-seq]
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ABSTRACT: Human immune responses to COVID-19 vaccines display a large heterogeneity of induced immunity and the underlying immune mechanisms for this remain largely unknown. Using a systems biology approach, we longitudinally profiled a unique cohort of female high and low responders to the BNT162b vaccine, who were known from previous COVID-19 vaccinations to develop maximum and minimum immune responses to the vaccine. We utilized high dimensional flow cytometry, bulk and single cell mRNA sequencing and 48-plex serum cytokine analyses. We revealed early, transient immunological and molecular signatures that distinguished high from low responders and correlated with B and T cell responses measured 14 days later. High responders featured a distinct transcriptional activity of interferon-driven genes and genes connected to enhanced antigen presentation. This was accompanied by a robust cytokine response related to Th1 differentiation. Both transcriptome and serum cytokine signatures were confirmed in two independent confirmatory cohorts. Collectively, our data contribute to a better understanding of the immunogenicity of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, which might lead to the optimization of vaccine designs for individuals with poor vaccine responses.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE246525 | GEO | 2024/01/29
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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