Persistent epigenetic memory of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in monocyte-derived macrophages.

ABSTRACT: Immune memory plays a critical role in the development of durable antimicrobial immune responses. How precisely mRNA vaccines train innate immune cells to shape protective host defense mechanisms remains unknown. Here we show that SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination significantly establishes histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) at promoters of human monocyte-derived macrophages, suggesting epigenetic memory. However, we found that two consecutive vaccinations were required for the persistence of H3K27ac, which matched with pro-inflammatory innate immune-associated transcriptional changes and antigen-mediated cytokine secretion. H3K27ac at promoter regions were preserved for six months and a single mRNA booster vaccine potently restored their levels and release of macrophage-derived cytokines

SUBMITTER: Simonis A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11965535 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature