SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination elicit distinct pharyngeal mucosal B cell responses in children
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Mucosal immunity is an important correlate of protection against respiratory infections such as SARS-CoV-2. Comparing B cell responses to vaccines and infection at relevant mucosal sites may provide unique and important insights into tissue immunity. Here, we characterize antigen-specific B cells in the tonsils, adenoids, and peripheral blood of children who had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 or vaccinated with SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines. SARS-CoV-2-specific switched memory B cells (B SM ) are found in the pharyngeal lymphoid tissues and blood after vaccination or infection. However, infection generates a higher proportion of IgA + B SM and CXCR3 + CD21 + B SM . CXCR3 + CD21 + B SM show distinct spatial localization, greater clonal expansion and increased propensity for plasma cell differentiation compared to their CXCR3 - counterparts, accompanied by persistent activation of innate and T follicular helper cells in the tissues. Our data provide evidence for tissue-specific B cell memory after either SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or infection, but with distinct characteristics that can influence the quality, durability, and localization of immunity.
Source: Nature Communications
Authors: Qin Xu, Lihong Shi, Liya Wang, Foo Cheung, Aparna Kotekar, Galina Koroleva, Elizabeth Rice, Richard Apps, Justin Lack, Craig Martens, Iyadh Douagi, Can Liu, Juraj Kabat, Hengameh Behzadpour, Lela Kardava, Tovah E. Markowitz, Margery Smelkinson, Kenneth B. Hoehn, Clarisa M. Buckner, Dominic P. Golec, Lorenza Bellusci, Gabrielle Grubbs, Sara Pourhashemi, Juanjie Tang, Asya Khleborodova, Martha Kirby, Rachel Sparks, Andrew J. Martins, John S. Tsang, Susan Moir, Surender Khurana, Pamela Mudd, Pamela L. Schwartzberg, Kalpana Manthiram
Institutions: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Yale University, Children's National, Dartmouth College, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, United States Food and Drug Administration, National Human Genome Research Institute, George Washington University
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
OpenAlex ID: W7162109341