SARS-CoV-2 T-Cell Responses in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Recipients following Two Doses of BNT162b2 mRNA Vaccine

Background: At variance to humoral responses, cellular immunity after anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines has been poorly explored in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT), especially within the first post-transplant years where immunosuppression is more profound and harmful.

Methods: SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein-specific T-cell responses were explored after two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in 45 Allo-HSCT recipients with a median time from transplant of less than 2 years by using INF-γ ELISPOT assay and flow-cytometry enumeration of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes with intracellular cytokine production of IFN-γ and TNF-α.

Results: A strong TNF-α⁺ response from SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4⁺ T-cells was detected in a majority of humoral responders (89%) as well as in a consistent population of non-humoral responders (40%).

Conclusions: T-cells are likely to participate in protection against COVID-19 viral infection, even in the absence of detectable antibody response, especially in the first years post-transplant in Allo-HSCT recipients.