Low-dose mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine generates durable memory enhanced by cross-reactive T cells

Vaccine-specific CD4(+) T cell, CD8(+) T cell, binding antibody, and neutralizing antibody responses to the 25-mu g Moderna messenger RNA (mRNA)-1273 vaccine were examined over the course of 7 months after immunization, including in multiple age groups, with a particular interest in assessing whether preexisting cross-reactive T cell memory affects vaccine-generated immunity. Vaccine-generated spike-specific memory CD4(+) T cells 6 months after the second dose of the vaccine were comparable in quantity and quality to COVID-19 cases, including the presence of T follicular helper cells and interferon-gamma-expressing cells. Spike-specific CD8(+) T cells were generated in 88% of subjects, with equivalent memory at 6 months post-boost compared with COVID-19 cases. Lastly, subjects with preexisting cross-reactive CD4(+) T cell memory exhibited stronger CD4(+) T cell and antibody responses to the vaccine, demonstrating the biological relevance of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-cross-reactive CD4(+) T cells.

Automated summary

This study examined the immune responses to the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine over 7 months, finding that subjects with preexisting cross-reactive T cell memory exhibited stronger CD4(+) T cell and antibody responses to the vaccine. This demonstrates the biological relevance and potential importance of cross-reactive T cells in generating immunity to SARS-CoV-2.