HLA Class II Polymorphism and Humoral Immunity Induced by the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-1273 Vaccine

Abstract

The vaccines designed against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus are based on the spike (S) protein. Processing of the S protein by antigen-presenting cells (APC) and its subsequent presentation to T cells is an essential part of the development of a humoral response. HLA-class II alleles are considered immune response genes because their codified molecules, expressed on the surface of APCs (macrophages, dendritic, and B cells) present antigenic peptides to T cell via their T cell receptor (TCR). The HLA-class II genes are highly polymorphic, regulating what specific peptides induce follicular helper T cells (TFH) and promote B lymphocyte differentiation into plasma or memory B cells. This work hypothesizes that the presence of certain HLA-class II alleles could be associated with the intensity of the humoral response (amount, length) to the SARS-CoV2 mRNA 1273 vaccine. We have studied the relationship between the HLA-class II typing of 87 health workers and the level of antibodies produced 30 days after vaccination. We show a possible association between the HLA-DRB1* 07:01 allele and the HLA-DRB1*07:01~DQA1*02:01~DQB1*02:02 haplotype to a higher production of antibodies 30 days after the administration of the second dose of mRNA-1273.

Keywords: HLA associations; anti-S antibodies; mRNA-1273 vaccine.

Figure 1

Anti-S antibodies mean comparations. Comparison of the mean production of anti-S antibodies depending on the presence or absence of certain alleles and haplotypes. (A) Cases with HLA-DRB1*07:01 versus cases without HLA-DRB1*07:01. (B) Cases with HLA-DRB1*01:01 versus cases without HLA-DRB1*01:01. (C) Cases with HLA-DRB1*07:01 versus cases with HLA-DRB1*01:01. (D) Cases with HLA-DRB1*07:01~DQA1*02:01~DQB1*02:02 haplotype (H07:01) versus cases without HLA-DRB1*07:01~DQA1*02:01~DQB1*02:02 haplotype (NO H07:01). ** = p < 0.01. ns= no significant.