[HTML][HTML] Durable natural killer cell responses after heterologous two-dose Ebola vaccination

HR Wagstaffe, G Susannini, R Thiébaut, L Richert… - NPJ vaccines, 2021 - nature.com
HR Wagstaffe, G Susannini, R Thiébaut, L Richert, Y Lévy, V Bockstal, JN Stoop, K Luhn…
NPJ vaccines, 2021nature.com
Natural killer (NK) cells are implicated among immune effectors after vaccination against
viral pathogens, including Ebola virus. The two-dose heterologous Ebola virus vaccine
regimen, adenovirus type 26. ZEBOV followed by modified vaccinia Ankara-BN-Filo
(EBOVAC2 consortium, EU Innovative Medicines Initiative), induces NK cell activation and
anti-Ebola glycoprotein (GP) antibody-dependent NK cell activation post-dose 1, which is
further elevated post-dose 2. Here, in a multicentre, phase 2 clinical trial (EBL2001), we …
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells are implicated among immune effectors after vaccination against viral pathogens, including Ebola virus. The two-dose heterologous Ebola virus vaccine regimen, adenovirus type 26.ZEBOV followed by modified vaccinia Ankara-BN-Filo (EBOVAC2 consortium, EU Innovative Medicines Initiative), induces NK cell activation and anti-Ebola glycoprotein (GP) antibody-dependent NK cell activation post-dose 1, which is further elevated post-dose 2. Here, in a multicentre, phase 2 clinical trial (EBL2001), we demonstrate durable ex vivo NK cell activation 180 days after dose 2, with responses enriched in CD56bright NK cells. In vitro antibody-dependent responses to immobilised Ebola GP increased after dose 1, and remained elevated compared to pre-vaccination levels in serum collected 180 days later. Peak NK cell responses were observed post-dose 2 and NK cell IFN-γ responses remained significantly elevated at 180 days post-dose 2. Individual variation in NK cell responses were influenced by both anti-Ebola GP antibody concentrations and intrinsic interindividual differences in NK cell functional capacity. In summary, this study demonstrates durable NK cell responses after Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo Ebola virus vaccination and could inform the immunological evaluation of future iterations of the vaccine regimen and vaccination schedules.
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