Pre-existing T cell immunity determines the frequency and magnitude of cellular immune response to two doses of mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2

Highlights

• Lack of CD4 T-cell response to first/second dose of mRNA vaccine was observed in 21% and 12% of health care workers (HCWs).

• T-cell response was greater in frequency/magnitude in HCWs with pre-existing immunity, due due to infection or cross-reactivity.

• Pre-existing immunity correlated with the magnitude of specific antibodies production after vaccination.

Abstract

Little is known about the factors associated with lack of T-cell response to mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. In a prospective cohort of 61 health care workers (HCWs), 21% and 16% after the first dose of mRNA BNT162b vaccine, and 12% and 7% after the second dose, showed lack of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell response, respectively. Pre-existing T-cell immunity, due to past infection (46%) or cross-reactive cellular response (26%), was significantly associated with T-cell response in frequency (CD4+ T-cell, 100% vs 82% after two doses; p = 0.049) and in the magnitude of T-cell response during follow up. Furthermore, baseline CD4⁺ T-cell correlated positively with the titer of specific IgG-antibodies after first and second vaccine dose. Our data demonstrate that cross-reactive T-cells correlate with a better cellular response as well as an enhanced humoral response, and we confirm the close correlation of humoral and cellular response after mRNA vaccination.