Human immune and gut microbial parameters associated with inter-individual variations in COVID-19 mRNA vaccine-induced immunity

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines induce protective adaptive immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in most individuals, but there is wide variation in levels of vaccine-induced antibody and T-cell responses. However, the mechanisms underlying this inter-individual variation remain unclear. Here, using a systems biology approach based on multi-omics analyses of human blood and stool samples, we identified several factors that are associated with COVID-19 vaccine-induced adaptive immune responses. BNT162b2-induced T cell response is positively associated with late monocyte responses and inversely associated with baseline mRNA expression of activation protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factors. Interestingly, the gut microbial fucose/rhamnose degradation pathway is positively correlated with mRNA expression of AP-1, as well as a gene encoding an enzyme producing prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which promotes AP-1 expression, and inversely correlated with BNT162b2-induced T-cell responses. These results suggest that baseline AP-1 expression, which is affected by commensal microbial activity, is a negative correlate of BNT162b2-induced T-cell responses. Multi-omics analyses of human blood and stool samples reveal that baseline AP-1 expression, which is affected by commensal microbial activity, is negatively associated with BNT162b2-induced T-cell responses.

Automated summary

COVID-19 mRNA vaccines elicit adaptive immunity against SARS-CoV-2, but the levels of vaccine-induced responses vary among individuals. A systems biology study using multi-omics analyses of human samples identified factors associated with these immune responses. The study found that the expression of activation protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factors, influenced by commensal microbial activity, is negatively correlated with the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 vaccine in inducing T-cell responses.