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Graphical abstract
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Graphical abstract
Weskamm et al, 2022 STAR Protocols

New publication on flow cytometric characterization of memory B cells directed against SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins.

Memory B cells (MBCs), part of the immune response elicited by infection or vaccination, can persist in lymphoid organs and peripheral blood and are capable of rapid reactivation upon secondary antigen exposure. Here, we describe a flow cytometric assay to identify SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific MBCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and characterize their isotypes and activation status.

Leonie M. Weskamm, Christine Dahlke, Marylyn M. Addo. Flow cytometric protocol to characterize human memory B cells directed against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antigens. STAR Protocols 2022 Dec 16; 4(3):101902. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101902

Weskamm et al

Contact Leonie Marie Weskamm

15.12.2022

Why does a small injection helps against infectious diseases?

On November 14, 2022, Prof. Addo gave a presentation at the "Kinder-Uni Hamburg" ( Link ).

In her lecture, Prof. Addo explained to the young audience why certain infectious diseases can spread quickly around the world, how these diseases are treated and how vaccines can help. She also gave tips on what everyone can do to protect themselves from viruses.

Further information on the Kinder-Uni Hamburg can be found here .

12.12.2022

Binding and neutralizing antibodies after vaccination
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Binding and neutralizing antibodies after MVA-MERS-S vaccination
Memory B cells after vaccination
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Memory B cells after MVA-MERS-S vaccination
Antibody isotypes und subclasses after vaccination
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Antibody isotypes und subclasses after MVA-MERS-S vaccination

New publication on the B and T cell responses elicited by the MVA-MERS-S vaccine candidate


Weskamm et al. longitudinally describe B and T cell responses as well as antibody subclasses and neutralization capacity induced by three homologous immunizations with the MVA-MERS-S vaccine candidate.

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a respiratory disease caused by MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV). In follow-up to a phase 1 trial , we perform a longitudinal analysis of immune responses following immunization with the Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-based vaccine MVA-MERS-S encoding the MERS-CoV-spike protein. Three homologous immunizations were administered on days 0 and 28 with a late booster vaccination at 12±4 months. Antibody isotypes, subclasses and neutralization capacity as well as T and B cell responses were monitored over a period of three years using standard and bead-based ELISA, PRNT50, ELISpot and flowcytometry. The late booster immunization significantly increases frequency and persistence of spike-specific B cells, binding IgG1 and neutralizing antibodies, but not T cell responses. Our data highlight the potential of a late boost to enhance long-term antibody and B cell immunity against MERS-CoV. Our findings on the MVA-MERS-S vaccine may be of relevance for COVID-19 vaccination strategies.

Weskamm LM, Fathi A, Raadsen MP, Mykytyn AZ, Koch T, Spohn M, Friedrich M; MVA-MERS-S Study Group, Haagmans BL, Becker S, Sutter G, Dahlke C, Addo MM. Persistence of MERS-CoV-spike-specific B cells and antibodies after late third immunization with the MVA-MERS-S vaccine. Cell Rep Med. 2022 Jul 19;3(7):100685. doi: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2022.100685. Weskamm et al.

Contact Leonie Marie Weskamm

Contact Christine Dahlke

21.07.2022

Study design and trial profile
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Study design and trial profile
Increase in anti-MERS-CoV-S-specific binding antibodies after booster vaccination measured by ELISA.
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Increase in anti-MERS-CoV-S-specific binding antibodies
Increase in MERS-CoV neutralizing antibodies after booster vaccination.
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Increase in MERS-CoV neutralizing antibodies after booster

New publication on the MVA-MERS-S booster vaccination in Nature Communications

Fathi et al. evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of a third vaccination with MVA-MERS-S in a subgroup of trial participants one year after primary immunization Link to vaccine trial . The results show that MVA-MERS-S booster vaccination is safe and well-tolerated. Both binding and neutralizing anti-MERS-CoV antibody titers increase substantially in all participants and exceed maximum titers observed after primary immunization more than 10-fold.

The data by Fathi et al. support the rationale of a booster vaccination with MVA-MERS-S and encourage further investigation in larger trials.

Fathi A, Dahlke C, Krähling V, Kupke A, Okba NMA, Raadsen MP, Heidepriem J, Müller MA, Paris G, Lassen S, Klüver M, Volz A, Koch T, Ly ML, Friedrich M, Fux R, Tscherne A, Kalodimou G, Schmiedel S, Corman VM, Hesterkamp T, Drosten C, Loeffler FF, Haagmans BL, Sutter G, Becker S, Addo MM. Increased neutralization and IgG epitope identification after MVA-MERS-S booster vaccination against Middle East respiratory syndrome. Nat Commun. 2022 Jul 19;13(1):4182. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-31557-0 Fathi et al.

Contact Anahita Fathi, Clinician Scientist

20.07.2022

Heinz Ansmann Award
Heinz Ansmann Award

Prof. Dr. Addo honored for HIV research

Prof. Dr. Marylyn Addo, Director of the Institute for Infection Research and Vaccine Development, has been awarded the Heinz Ansmann Prize for AIDS Research 2022. The Heinz Ansmann foundation honored her work on immune control of HIV infection and transfer of knowledge to other viral diseases with pandemic potential. Prof. Dr. Addo accepted the 10,000 euro prize on June 13, 2022 at Schloss Mickeln in Düsseldorf. Prof. Florian Klein from Cologne was awarded the 2020 Price the same day.

Read more.


13.06.2022