Immune correlates of protection by mRNA-1273 vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 in nonhuman primates

Science. 2021 Sep 17;373(6561):eabj0299. doi: 10.1126/science.abj0299. Epub 2021 Sep 17.

Abstract

Immune correlates of protection can be used as surrogate endpoints for vaccine efficacy. Here, nonhuman primates (NHPs) received either no vaccine or doses ranging from 0.3 to 100 μg of the mRNA-1273 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine. mRNA-1273 vaccination elicited circulating and mucosal antibody responses in a dose-dependent manner. Viral replication was significantly reduced in bronchoalveolar lavages and nasal swabs after SARS-CoV-2 challenge in vaccinated animals and most strongly correlated with levels of anti–S antibody and neutralizing activity. Lower antibody levels were needed for reduction of viral replication in the lower airway than in the upper airway. Passive transfer of mRNA-1273–induced immunoglobulin G to naïve hamsters was sufficient to mediate protection. Thus, mRNA-1273 vaccine–induced humoral immune responses are a mechanistic correlate of protection against SARS-CoV-2 in NHPs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / blood*
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / immunology
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Antibody Affinity
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / immunology
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / virology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • COVID-19 / immunology
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control*
  • COVID-19 / virology
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / administration & dosage*
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / immunology*
  • Female
  • Immunization Schedule
  • Immunization, Passive
  • Immunization, Secondary
  • Immunogenicity, Vaccine*
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Immunologic Memory
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / virology
  • Macaca mulatta
  • Male
  • Mesocricetus
  • Nasal Mucosa / immunology
  • Nasal Mucosa / virology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / physiology
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / immunology
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccine Potency
  • Virus Replication

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2
  • 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273