An important lesson for vaccine design
Published today in PLOS Medicine, the study was made possible by a partnership between the University of Sydney, Kids Research, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, the Kirby Institute at UNSW Sydney, Australian Red Cross Lifeblood, St Vincent’s Hospital and NSW Health Pathology, as well as other local and international collaborators.
The team analysed the serum of 233 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 over 7 months and uncovered that the level of immunity over time is dependent on disease severity and the viral variant. They show that antibodies developed during the first wave had reduced effectiveness against six variants, ranging from those observed in the second wave in Australia through to three variants of concern that have driven the global pandemic in the UK, Brazil and South Africa.
How do we study the immune response?
The serum of COVID-19 infected individuals was of interest as it is the part of our blood that contains crucial information about our immune system. Analysis of the serum made it possible to create a detailed timeline of the level of ‘neutralising antibodies’ produced against COVID-19 infection, and so to see if there was long-term immunity.
Neutralising antibodies are part of our immune system’s frontline arsenal that is triggered during infection and vaccination. Their job is to shield cells that are usually the target of a pathogen (such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus which causes the COVID-19 disease) from being infected. The level of neutralising antibody response can be a defining feature of how effectively our body fights off illness.
Interestingly, a rare group of ‘super responders’ was also identified as an exception.
This group of ‘super responders’ had a stable and robust level of antibodies across all COVID-19 variants. The researchers say this group could prove useful for investigating the potential of convalescent plasma (using blood from people who have recovered to treat others) which has so far proven ineffective against severe COVID-19 illness. In addition, key donors could be looked at closely and their antibodies cloned for future therapeutic use.
Why it is important?
Co-senior author Associate Professor Fabienne Brilot of the University of Sydney and Kids Research, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, and her research team led the analysis branch of the study, using highly sensitive tools they developed to study the antibodies in detail.
“We can learn a great deal from these people who were infected in the first wave in Australia as they were infected with the same variant that our current vaccines are based on,” said Associate Professor Brilot.
“While the approved vaccines are showing good responses, our study highlights the importance of continued vaccine development, especially taking into account the differences in variants.”
Co-senior author Associate Professor Stuart Turville of the Kirby Institute said the study was conducted to investigate the level, breadth and longevity of the immunity generated from COVID-19 infection and whether mutation of the virus compromises immunity.
“What this work has shown us is that current observations about vaccines show they offer a much broader protection against COVID-19 and its variants than the body’s natural immune response following infection, which is usually only protective against the variant of the virus that the person was infected with. We, therefore, should not rely on the body’s natural immune response to control this pandemic, but rather the broadly protective vaccines that are available.”
News
The Unresolved Puzzle of Long COVID: 30% of Young People Still Suffer After Two Years
A UCL study found that 70% of young people with long Covid recovered within 24 months, but recovery was less likely among older teenagers, females, and those from deprived backgrounds. Researchers emphasized the need [...]
Needle-Free: New Nano-Vaccine Effective Against All COVID-19 Variants
A new nano-vaccine developed by TAU and the University of Lisbon offers a needle-free, room-temperature-storable solution against COVID-19, targeting all key variants effectively. Professor Ronit Satchi-Fainaro’s lab at Tel Aviv University’s Faculty of Medical and [...]
Photoacoustic PDA-ICG Nanoprobe for Detecting Senescent Cells in Cancer
A study in Scientific Reports evaluated a photoacoustic polydopamine-indocyanine green (PDA-ICG) nanoprobe for detecting senescent cells. Senescent cells play a role in tumor progression and therapeutic resistance, with potential adverse effects such as inflammation and tissue [...]
How Dysregulated Cell Signaling Causes Disease
Cell signaling is crucial for cells to communicate and function correctly. Disruptions in these pathways, caused by genetic mutations or environmental factors, can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, improper immune responses, or errors in [...]
Scientists Develop Super-Strong, Eco-Friendly Plastic That Bacteria Can Eat
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute have developed a biodegradable composite material that could play a significant role in addressing the global plastic waste crisis. Billions of tons of plastic waste clutter our planet. Most [...]
Building a “Google Maps” for Biology: Human Cell Atlas Revolutionizes Medicine
New research from the Human Cell Atlas offers insights into cell development, disease mechanisms, and genetic influences, enhancing our understanding of human biology and health. The Human Cell Atlas (HCA) consortium has made significant [...]
Bioeconomic Potential: Scientists Just Found 140 Reasons to Love Spider Venom
Researchers at the LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (TBG) have discovered a significant diversity of enzymes in spider venom, previously overshadowed by the focus on neurotoxins. These enzymes, found across 140 different families, [...]
Quantum Algorithms and the Future of Precision Medicine
Precision medicine is reshaping healthcare by tailoring treatments to individual patients based on their unique genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. At the forefront of this revolution, the integration of quantum computing and machine learning [...]
Scientists Have Discovered a Simple Supplement That Causes Prostate Cancer Cells To Self-Destruct
Menadione, a vitamin K precursor, shows promise in slowing prostate cancer in mice by disrupting cancer cell survival processes, with potential applications for human treatment and myotubular myopathy therapy. Prostate cancer is a quiet [...]
Scientists reveal structural link for initiation of protein synthesis in bacteria
Within a cell, DNA carries the genetic code for building proteins. To build proteins, the cell makes a copy of DNA, called mRNA. Then, another molecule called a ribosome reads the mRNA, translating it [...]
Vaping Isn’t Safe: Scientists Uncover Alarming Vascular Risks
Smoking and vaping impair vascular function, even without nicotine, with the most significant effects seen in nicotine-containing e-cigarettes. Researchers recommend avoiding both for better health. Researchers have discovered immediate impacts of cigarette and e-cigarette [...]
Twice-Yearly Lenacapavir for PrEP Reduces HIV Infections by 96%
Twice-yearly injections of the capsid inhibitor drug lenacapavir can prevent the vast majority of HIV infections, according to a Phase 3 clinical trial published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. HIV pre-exposure [...]
Did Social Distancing Begin 6,000 Years Ago? Neolithic Villagers May Have Invented It
Social distancing may have roots 6,000 years ago, as research shows Neolithic villages like Nebelivka used clustered layouts to control disease spread. The phrase “social distancing” became widely recognized in recent years as people [...]
Decoding Alzheimer’s: The Arctic Mutation’s Role in Unusual Brain Structures
Researchers have uncovered how certain genetic mutations lead to unique spherical amyloid plaques in inherited forms of Alzheimer’s, offering insights that could advance our understanding of the disease and improve therapeutic strategies. An international collaboration [...]
How Your “Lizard Brain” Fuels Overthinking and Social Anxiety
New research by Northwestern Medicine reveals how humans have evolved advanced brain regions to interpret others’ thoughts, connecting these areas with the amygdala, a part of the brain involved in emotional processing. Study sought [...]
How Did Life Begin? Researchers Discover Game-Changing Clue
New research offers a potential explanation for the formation of early Earth protocells. Few questions have captivated humankind more than the mystery of life’s origins on Earth. How did the first living cells emerge? [...]
