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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2023.01.13.524025

Redistribution and activation of CD16brightCD56dim NK cell subset to fight against Omicron subvariant BA.2 after COVID-19 vaccination

Liu, Y.·Peng, H.·Xiang, T.·Xu, F.·Jiang, Y.·Zhong, L.·Peng, Y.·Le, A.·Zhang, W.
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Abstract

With the alarming surge in COVID-19 cases globally, vaccination must be prioritised to achieve herd immunity. Immune dysfunction is detected in the majority of patients with COVID-19; however, it remains unclear whether the immune responses elicited by COVID-19 vaccination function against the Omicron subvariant BA.2. Of the 508 Omicron BA.2-infected patients enrolled, 102 were unvaccinated controls and 406 were vaccinated. Despite the presence of clinical symptoms in both groups, vaccination led to a significant decline in nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, pulmonary infection, overall clinical symptoms, and a moderate rise in body temperature. Omicron BA.2-infected individuals were also characterised by a mild increase in both serum pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels after vaccination. There were no significant differences or trend changes between T and B lymphocyte subsets; however, a significant expansion of NK lymphocytes in COVID-19-vaccinated patients was observed. Moreover, the most effective CD16brightCD56dim subsets of NK cells showed increased functional capacities, as evidenced by a significantly greater IFN-{gamma} secretion and stronger cytotoxic potential in Omicron BA.2-infected patients after vaccination. Collectively, these results suggest that COVID-19 vaccination interventions promote the redistribution and activation of CD16brightCD56dim NK cell subsets against viral infections, and could facilitate the clinical management of Omicron BA.2-infected patients.

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Liu, Y., Peng, H., Xiang, T., Xu, F., Jiang, Y., Zhong, L., Peng, Y., Le, A., Zhang, W.. 2023-01-17. Redistribution and activation of CD16brightCD56dim NK cell subset to fight against Omicron subvariant BA.2 after COVID-19 vaccination. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.01.13.524025

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