Prior infection with SARS-CoV-2 boosts and broadens Ad26.COV2.S immunogenicity in a variant-dependent manner

Cell Host Microbe. 2021 Nov 10;29(11):1611-1619.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.chom.2021.10.003. Epub 2021 Oct 13.

Abstract

The Johnson and Johnson Ad26.COV2.S single-dose vaccine represents an attractive option for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination in countries with limited resources. We examined the effect of prior infection with different SARS-CoV-2 variants on Ad26.COV2.S immunogenicity. We compared participants who were SARS-CoV-2 naive with those either infected with the ancestral D614G virus or infected in the second wave when Beta predominated. Prior infection significantly boosts spike-binding antibodies, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and neutralizing antibodies against D614G, Beta, and Delta; however, neutralization cross-reactivity varied by wave. Robust CD4 and CD8 T cell responses are induced after vaccination, regardless of prior infection. T cell recognition of variants is largely preserved, apart from some reduction in CD8 recognition of Delta. Thus, Ad26.COV2.S vaccination after infection could result in enhanced protection against COVID-19. The impact of the infecting variant on neutralization breadth after vaccination has implications for the design of second-generation vaccines based on variants of concern.

Keywords: Ad26CoV2.S; Fc effector function; SARS-CoV-2; hybrid immunity; neutralization; vaccines; variants of concern.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Ad26COVS1
  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • COVID-19 / immunology*
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Vaccination*

Substances

  • Ad26COVS1
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19 Vaccines