Bivalent mRNA COVID vaccines elicit predominantly cross-reactive CD4+ T cell clonotypes

• DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101442
• Publication Date: 2024-02-28T15:28:06Z
• Authors: Joel Sop; Caroline C. Traut; Arbor G. Dykema; Joanne H. Hunt; Tyler P. Beckey; Christie R. Basseth; Annukka A.R. Antar; Oliver Laeyendecker; Kellie N. Smith; Joel N. Blankson
• Keywords: Bivalent (engine); 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

Bivalent COVID vaccines containing mRNA for ancestral and Omicron BA.5 spike proteins do not induce stronger T cell responses to than monovalent that contain only mRNA. The reasons this finding have been elucidated. Here, we show healthy donors (HDs) people living with HIV (PLWH) on antiretroviral therapy mostly target epitopes are affected by mutations. We use the functional expansion of specific cells (FEST) assay determine percentage CD4+ cross-recognize both those monoreactive each protein. a predominance cross-reactive cells; less 10% percent spike-specific receptors were in most HDs PLWH. Our data suggest current bivalent robust BA.5-monoreactive responses.