Tang, W., Chang, Z. W., Goh, Y. S., Tan, Y. J., Hor, P. X., Loh, C. Y., Lye, D. C., Young, B. E., Ng, L. F. P., Tay, M. Z., & Rénia, L. (2025). SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccines Induce Cross-Reactive Antibodies to NL63 Coronavirus but Do Not Boost Pre-Existing Immunity Anti-NL63 Antibody Responses. Vaccines, 13(3), 268. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13030268
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: mRNA vaccines have demonstrated strong immunogenicity and efficacy against SARS-CoV-2. However, the extent of antibody cross-reactivity against human seasonal coronaviruses, such as NL63, remains unclear. Furthermore, it is unknown whether pre-existing antibody responses against NL63 might influence the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. Methods: We used a flow cytometry-based serological assay and an in vitro neutralization assay to analyze NL63 antibody responses in sera from SARS-CoV-2 mRNA-vaccinated mice and plasma samples from a vaccinated human cohort. Results: We found that the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine can generate cross-reactive antibodies against NL63. Importantly, SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination did not boost pre-existing anti-NL63 responses in humans, and pre-existing NL63 antibody levels did not affect the antibody response induced by SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. Conclusions: These findings suggest that while SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination can induce cross-reactive antibodies against NL63, pre-existing immunity to this seasonal coronavirus does not appear to significantly impact vaccine immunogenicity. These findings contribute to our understanding of the complex interplay between pre-existing immunity to seasonal coronaviruses and the immune response generated by SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines.
License type:
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
Funding Info:
This research is supported by core funding from: Biomedical Research Council
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This research / project is supported by the A*CRUSE - Vaccine monitoring project
Grant Reference no. : NA
This research / project is supported by the A*ccelerate - GAP-funded project
Grant Reference no. : ACCL/19-GAP064-R20H-H
This research / project is supported by the National Medical Research Council - NA
Grant Reference no. : COVID19RF-001; COVID19RF-0011; COVID19RF-0018; COVID19RF-060; OFLCG19May-0034
This research / project is supported by the US Food and Drug Administration - NA
Grant Reference no. : #75F40120C00085
This research / project is supported by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research - COVID-19 Research funding
Grant Reference no. : H/20/04/g1/006
This research / project is supported by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research - Career Development Fund
Grant Reference no. : SC35/22-805100; #222D800035
TF IPC Ltd. under the grant titled “Temasek Foundation Infectious Diseases Programme for Surveillance and Diseases X Resilience”
This research / project is supported by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research - Industry alignment Fund—Pre-positioning Programme
Grant Reference no. : H22J1a0050
This research / project is supported by the Ministry of Health - Start-up University Grant
Grant Reference no. : 022388-00001