Pre-existing anti-inflammatory immune conditions influence early antibody avidity and isotype profile following Comirnaty® vaccination in mice

Background/Objectives: Vaccine immunogenicity is often suboptimal in vulnerable populations such as the elderly, infants, and individuals in low- and middle-income countries. One contributing factor may be pre-existing immunomodulatory conditions, including helminth infections. This study investigates the impact of Fasciola hepatica (F. hepatica) derived molecules on the early humoral response to the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine Comirnaty® in a mouse model. Methods: BALB/c mice were pretreated with a F. hepatica protein extract (FH) or complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) prior to vaccination. Cytokine production and antibody responses were assessed at 0, 14, and 21 days post-vaccination (dpv) through serum analysis and ex vivo splenocyte stimulation with the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) or LPS. Results: At 0 dpv, FH-treated mice showed increased serum IL-10, while CFA treatment induced IL-12. FH- but not CFA-treated splenocytes secreted IL-10 upon RBD or LPS stimulation. At 21 dpv, FH-treated mice lacked IFN-γ production but maintained IL-10 and showed elevated IL-4, consistent with a Th2-skewed profile. Although total anti-RBD IgG levels were similar between groups, FH-treated mice exhibited reduced IgG avidity and a higher IgG1/IgG2 ratio. CFA-treated mice showed delayed avidity maturation. Conclusions: Prior exposure to F. hepatica antigens can modulate the early immune response to Comirnaty®, affecting both cellular activation and antibody quality. This altered response may reflect a reduced early protective capacity of the vaccine, which might need to be considered when designing or evaluating vaccination strategies using mRNA vaccines in helminth-endemic regions.

Instituto de Virología

Fil: Castillo, Mariangeles. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas; Argentina

Fil: Castillo, Mariangeles. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Miraglia, María Cruz. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas; Argentina

Fil: Miraglia, María Cruz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Mansilla, Florencia Celeste. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas; Argentina

Fil: Mansilla, Florencia Celeste. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Randazzo, Cecilia Paola. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Virología e Innovaciones Tecnológicas; Argentina

Fil: Randazzo, Cecilia Paola. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Bentancor, Leticia Veronica. Universidad Nacional de José Clemente Paz. Instituto de Estudios para el Desarrollo Productivo y la Innovación; Argentina

Fil: Freire, Teresa. Universidad de La República. Facultad de Medicina. Unidad Académica Inmunobiología. Laboratorio de Inmunomodulación y Vacunas; Uruguay

Fil: Capozzo, Alejandra. Universidad Abierta Interamericana. Centro de Altos Estudios en Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud (CAECIHS); Argentina

Fil: Capozzo, Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina