[PDF][PDF] High-affinity memory B cells induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection produce more plasmablasts and atypical memory B cells than those primed by mRNA vaccines

KA Pape, T Dileepan, AJ Kabage, D Kozysa, R Batres… - Cell Reports, 2021 - cell.com
KA Pape, T Dileepan, AJ Kabage, D Kozysa, R Batres, C Evert, M Matson, S Lopez…
Cell Reports, 2021cell.com
Although both infections and vaccines induce memory B cell (MBC) populations that
participate in secondary immune responses, the MBCs generated in each case can differ.
Here, we compare SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (S1-RBD)-specific primary
MBCs that form in response to infection or a single mRNA vaccination. Both primary MBC
populations have similar frequencies in the blood and respond to a second S1-RBD
exposure by rapidly producing plasmablasts with an abundant immunoglobulin (Ig) A+ …
Summary
Although both infections and vaccines induce memory B cell (MBC) populations that participate in secondary immune responses, the MBCs generated in each case can differ. Here, we compare SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (S1-RBD)-specific primary MBCs that form in response to infection or a single mRNA vaccination. Both primary MBC populations have similar frequencies in the blood and respond to a second S1-RBD exposure by rapidly producing plasmablasts with an abundant immunoglobulin (Ig)A+ subset and secondary MBCs that are mostly IgG+ and cross-react with the B.1.351 variant. However, infection-induced primary MBCs have better antigen-binding capacity and generate more plasmablasts and secondary MBCs of the classical and atypical subsets than do vaccine-induced primary MBCs. Our results suggest that infection-induced primary MBCs have undergone more affinity maturation than vaccine-induced primary MBCs and produce more robust secondary responses.
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