Repeated Omicron exposures override ancestral SARS-CoV-2 immune imprinting.

ABSTRACT: The continuing emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants highlights the need to update COVID-19 vaccine compositions. However, immune imprinting induced by vaccination based on the ancestral (hereafter referred to as WT) strain would compromise the antibody response to Omicron-based boosters^1-5. Vaccination strategies to counter immune imprinting are critically needed. Here we investigated the degree and dynamics of immune imprinting in mouse models and human cohorts, especially focusing on the role of repeated Omicron stimulation. In mice, the efficacy of single Omicron boosting is heavily limited when using variants that are antigenically distinct from WT-such as the XBB variant-and this concerning situation could be mitigated by a second Omicron booster. Similarly, in humans, repeated

SUBMITTER: Yisimayi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10764275 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature