AUTHOR=Dulovic Alex , Kessel Barbora , Harries Manuela , Becker Matthias , Ortmann Julia , Griesbaum Johanna , Jüngling Jennifer , Junker Daniel , Hernandez Pilar , Gornyk Daniela , Glöckner Stephan , Melhorn Vanessa , Castell Stefanie , Heise Jana-Kristin , Kemmling Yvonne , Tonn Torsten , Frank Kerstin , Illig Thomas , Klopp Norman , Warikoo Neha , Rath Angelika , Suckel Christina , Marzian Anne Ulrike , Grupe Nicole , Kaiser Philipp D. , Traenkle Bjoern , Rothbauer Ulrich , Kerrinnes Tobias , Krause Gérard , Lange Berit , Schneiderhan-Marra Nicole , Strengert Monika TITLE=Comparative Magnitude and Persistence of Humoral SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination Responses in the Adult Population in Germany JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology VOLUME=13 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.828053 DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2022.828053 ISSN=1664-3224 ABSTRACT=

Recent increases in SARS-CoV-2 infections have led to questions about duration and quality of vaccine-induced immune protection. While numerous studies have been published on immune responses triggered by vaccination, these often focus on studying the impact of one or two immunisation schemes within subpopulations such as immunocompromised individuals or healthcare workers. To provide information on the duration and quality of vaccine-induced immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, we analyzed antibody titres against various SARS-CoV-2 antigens and ACE2 binding inhibition against SARS-CoV-2 wild-type and variants of concern in samples from a large German population-based seroprevalence study (MuSPAD) who had received all currently available immunisation schemes. We found that homologous mRNA-based or heterologous prime-boost vaccination produced significantly higher antibody responses than vector-based homologous vaccination. Ad26.CoV2S.2 performance was particularly concerning with reduced titres and 91.7% of samples classified as non-responsive for ACE2 binding inhibition, suggesting that recipients require a booster mRNA vaccination. While mRNA vaccination induced a higher ratio of RBD- and S1-targeting antibodies, vector-based vaccines resulted in an increased proportion of S2-targeting antibodies. Given the role of RBD- and S1-specific antibodies in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2, their relative over-representation after mRNA vaccination may explain why these vaccines have increased efficacy compared to vector-based formulations. Previously infected individuals had a robust immune response once vaccinated, regardless of which vaccine they received, which could aid future dose allocation should shortages arise for certain manufacturers. Overall, both titres and ACE2 binding inhibition peaked approximately 28 days post-second vaccination and then decreased.