Rapid induction of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells is associated with coordinated humoral and cellular immunity to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines have shown remarkable clinical efficacy, but questions remain about the nature and kinetics of T cell priming. We performed longitudinal antigen-specific T cell analyses on healthy SARS-CoV-2-naive and recovered individuals prior to and following mRNA prime and boost vaccination. Vaccination induced rapid antigen-specific CD4(+) T cell responses in naive subjects after the first dose, whereas CD8(+) T cell responses developed gradually and were variable in magnitude. Vaccine-induced Th1 and Tfh cell responses following the first dose correlated with post-boost CD8(+) T cells and neutralizing antibodies, respectively. Integrated analysis revealed coordinated immune responses with distinct trajectories in SARS-CoV-2-naive and recovered individuals. Last, whereas booster vaccination improved T cell responses in SARS-CoV-2- naive subjects, the second dose had little effect in SARS-CoV-2-recovered individuals. These findings highlight the role of rapidly primed CD4(+) T cells in coordinating responses to the second vaccine dose in SARS-CoV-2-naive individuals.

Automated summary

The study found that after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination, CD4(+) T cell responses in naïve individuals were fast, while CD8(+) T cell responses developed gradually. Th1 and Tfh cell responses after the first dose were correlated with post-boost CD8(+) T cells and neutralizing antibodies.