Serological assessment of the durability of vaccine-mediated protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Virus-neutralizing antibodies are often accepted as a correlate of protection against infection, though questions remain about which components of the immune response protect against SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this small observational study, we longitudinally measured spike receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific and nucleocapsid (NP)-specific serum IgG in a human cohort immunized with the Pfizer BNT162b2 vaccine. NP is not encoded in the vaccine, so an NP-specific response is serological evidence of natural infection.

Interactions between heparin and SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein RBD from omicron and other variants.

Heparan sulfate (HS) acts as a co-receptor of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) by interacting with severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike glycoprotein (SGP) facilitating host cell entry of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Heparin, a highly sulfated version of heparan sulfate (HS), interacts with a variety of proteins playing key roles in many physiological and pathological processes. In this study, SARS-CoV-2 SGP receptor binding domain (RBD) wild type (WT), Delta and Omicron variants were expressed in Expi293F cells and used in the kinetic and structural analysis on their interactions with heparin.

IgG Antibody Response to the Pfizer BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine in Healthcare Workers with Healthy Weight, Overweight, and Obesity.

Obesity is a significant factor for increased morbidity and mortality upon infection with SARS-CoV-2. Because of the higher potential for negative outcomes following infection of individuals with obesity, the impact of body mass index (BMI) on vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy is an important public health concern. Few studies have measured the magnitude and durability of the vaccine-specific response in relation to BMI.