Publications by authors named "Katrina Millard"

Despite mRNA vaccination, elderly individuals remain especially vulnerable to severe consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we compare the memory B cell responses in a cohort of elderly and younger individuals who received mRNA booster vaccinations. Plasma neutralizing potency and breadth were similar between the two groups.

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Article Synopsis
  • Feedback inhibition of humoral immunity by antibodies has been observed since 1909, with studies showing that antibodies can either enhance or inhibit immune responses depending on the context.
  • A study focused on individuals who received two high-affinity anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies and later two mRNA vaccine doses revealed that while their antibody production was slightly lower, their memory B cells predominantly expressed low-affinity IgM antibodies with few mutations and altered binding specificity.
  • The research indicates that existing high-affinity antibodies can affect the immune response by lowering the activation threshold for B cells and masking their target sites, which may help explain changes in memory antibody profiles after booster vaccinations.
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Individuals who receive a third mRNA vaccine dose show enhanced protection against severe COVID-19, but little is known about the impact of breakthrough infections on memory responses. Here, we examine the memory antibodies that develop after a third or fourth antigenic exposure by Delta or Omicron BA.1 infection, respectively.

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The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic prompted a global vaccination effort and the development of numerous COVID-19 vaccines at an unprecedented scale and pace. As a result, current COVID-19 vaccination regimens comprise diverse vaccine modalities, immunogen combinations, and dosing intervals. Here, we compare vaccine-specific antibody and memory B cell responses following two-dose mRNA, single-dose Ad26.

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Feedback inhibition of humoral immunity by antibodies was initially documented in guinea pigs by Theobald Smith in 1909, who showed that passive administration of excess anti-Diphtheria toxin inhibited immune responses. Subsequent work documented that antibodies can enhance or inhibit immune responses depending on antibody isotype, affinity, the physical nature of the antigen, and engagement of immunoglobulin (Fc) and complement (C') receptors. However, little is known about how pre-existing antibodies might influence the subsequent development of memory B cells.

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The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants that have greater transmissibility and resistance to neutralizing antibodies has increased the incidence of breakthrough infections. We show that breakthrough infection increases neutralizing antibody titers to varying degrees depending on the nature of the breakthrough variant and the number of vaccine doses previously administered. Omicron breakthrough infection resulted in neutralizing antibody titers that were the highest across all groups, particularly against Omicron.

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Background: The administration of broadly neutralising anti-HIV-1 antibodies before latency reversal could facilitate elimination of HIV-1-infected CD4 T cells. We tested this concept by combining the broadly neutralising antibody 3BNC117 in combination with the latency-reversing agent romidepsin in people with HIV-1 who were taking suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods: We did a randomised, open-label, phase 2A trial at three university hospital centres in Denmark, Germany, and the USA.

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The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 infected many vaccinated and convalescent individuals. Despite the reduced protection from infection, individuals who received three doses of an mRNA vaccine were highly protected from more serious consequences of infection. Here we examine the memory B cell repertoire in a longitudinal cohort of individuals receiving three mRNA vaccine doses.

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HIV-1 infection remains a public health problem with no cure. Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is effective but requires lifelong drug administration owing to a stable reservoir of latent proviruses integrated into the genome of CD4 T cells. Immunotherapy with anti-HIV-1 antibodies has the potential to suppress infection and increase the rate of clearance of infected cells.

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The omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 infected very large numbers of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated and convalescent individuals . The penetrance of this variant in the antigen experienced human population can be explained in part by the relatively low levels of plasma neutralizing activity against Omicron in people who were infected or vaccinated with the original Wuhan-Hu-1 strain . The 3 mRNA vaccine dose produces an initial increase in circulating anti-Omicron neutralizing antibodies, but titers remain 10-20-fold lower than against Wuhan-Hu-1 and are, in many cases, insufficient to prevent infection .

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection produces B cell responses that continue to evolve for at least a year. During that time, memory B cells express increasingly broad and potent antibodies that are resistant to mutations found in variants of concern. As a result, vaccination of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent individuals with currently available mRNA vaccines produces high levels of plasma neutralizing activity against all variants tested.

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Antibodies elicited by infection accumulate somatic mutations in germinal centers that can increase affinity for cognate antigens. We analyzed 6 independent groups of clonally related severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) Spike receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific antibodies from 5 individuals shortly after infection and later in convalescence to determine the impact of maturation over months. In addition to increased affinity and neutralization potency, antibody evolution changed the mutational pathways for the acquisition of viral resistance and restricted neutralization escape options.

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More than one year after its inception, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains difficult to control despite the availability of several working vaccines. Progress in controlling the pandemic is slowed by the emergence of variants that appear to be more transmissible and more resistant to antibodies. Here we report on a cohort of 63 individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 assessed at 1.

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Over one year after its inception, the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains difficult to control despite the availability of several excellent vaccines. Progress in controlling the pandemic is slowed by the emergence of variants that appear to be more transmissible and more resistant to antibodies . Here we report on a cohort of 63 COVID-19-convalescent individuals assessed at 1.

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Antibodies elicited in response to infection undergo somatic mutation in germinal centers that can result in higher affinity for the cognate antigen. To determine the effects of somatic mutation on the properties of SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD)-specific antibodies, we analyzed six independent antibody lineages. As well as increased neutralization potency, antibody evolution changed pathways for acquisition of resistance and, in some cases, restricted the range of neutralization escape options.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study examined the responses of 20 volunteers who received the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and found that after eight weeks, they had high levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and memory B cells similar to those who recovered from infection.
  • - While the vaccines produced potent neutralizing antibodies targeting the virus, their effectiveness against certain variants with mutations (E484K, N501Y, K417N) was notably reduced.
  • - The findings indicate that it’s crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies against new variants and suggest that mRNA vaccines may require updates over time to maintain their effectiveness.
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  • Over 100 million people have been infected by SARS-CoV-2, resulting in over two million deaths, prompting the use of mRNA vaccines like Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech to combat COVID-19.
  • A study of 20 volunteers showed that both vaccines produced strong antibody responses and memory B cells, comparable to those seen in individuals recovered from natural infections.
  • However, the effectiveness of these vaccine-induced antibodies was slightly reduced against certain SARS-CoV-2 variants, indicating that continuous monitoring and potential updates to vaccines may be necessary to maintain their efficacy.
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected 78 million individuals and is responsible for over 1.7 million deaths to date. Infection is associated with the development of variable levels of antibodies with neutralizing activity, which can protect against infection in animal models.

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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected 78 million individuals and is responsible for over 1.7 million deaths to date. Infection is associated with development of variable levels of antibodies with neutralizing activity that can protect against infection in animal models.

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Neutralizing antibody responses to coronaviruses mainly target the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the trimeric spike. Here, we characterized polyclonal immunoglobulin Gs (IgGs) and Fabs from COVID-19 convalescent individuals for recognition of coronavirus spikes. Plasma IgGs differed in their focus on RBD epitopes, recognition of alpha- and beta-coronaviruses, and contributions of avidity to increased binding/neutralization of IgGs over Fabs.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study examines how neutralizing antibodies target the spike proteins of coronaviruses, particularly focusing on the receptor-binding domain (RBD).
  • Polyclonal antibodies from COVID-19 survivors showed varied recognition of different coronavirus strains and emphasized the importance of binding strength in neutralization.
  • The research provides structural insights into how specific antibody classes might be effective against SARS-CoV-2, offering criteria for assessing antibodies produced by vaccines.
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  • The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in millions of infections and significant mortality rates, with the virus entering cells via its spike protein's receptor-binding domain (RBD).
  • Although there's no vaccine available yet, research on 149 recovered COVID-19 patients showed variable effectiveness of their antibody responses, revealing that a substantial percentage had low neutralizing titres.
  • Despite the low overall levels of neutralizing antibodies, specific and potent RBD-targeted antibodies were consistently found, indicating potential for an effective vaccine strategy to harness these responses.
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  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, the SARS-CoV-2 virus led to widespread infections and many deaths, highlighting the importance of understanding the human antibody response to the virus.
  • Research on 149 individuals who recovered from COVID-19 showed that neutralizing antibody levels varied greatly, with many having low or undetectable neutralizing titers.
  • Despite the low average levels of neutralizing antibodies in plasma, potent RBD-specific antibodies were still present in all individuals, indicating potential for effective vaccine design to enhance these protective responses.
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Background: Additional forms of pre-exposure prophylaxis are needed to prevent HIV-1 infection. 3BNC117 and 10-1074 are broadly neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibodies that target non-overlapping epitopes on the HIV-1 envelope. We investigated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity of the intravenous administration of the combination of 3BNC117 and 10-1074 in healthy adults.

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