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T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in adults with Down syndrome: A prospective cohort study
Hensen,Lobke C.M. Streng,Bianca M.M. van Wijk,Femke Nierkens,Stefan van Binnendijk,R.S. Buisman,Anne-Marie Coppus,Antonia M.W. Geurts van Kessel,Corine H. de Graaf,Gert Van Der Klis,Fiona R.
Hensen,Lobke C.M.
Streng,Bianca M.M.
van Wijk,Femke
Nierkens,Stefan
van Binnendijk,R.S.
Buisman,Anne-Marie
Coppus,Antonia M.W.
Geurts van Kessel,Corine H.
de Graaf,Gert
Van Der Klis,Fiona R.
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is associated with immune dysfunction, which led to higher hospitalization and mortality rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. We previously showed that antibody concentrations were lower in adults with DS after primary SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. However, knowledge on cellular vaccine-induced responses in DS is limited. Here, we investigated the T-cell response induced by SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in adults with DS. We included adults with DS and healthy controls (HC) between 18 and 64 years following primary (mRNA and vector) and booster (mRNA) SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Using flow cytometry, SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells were analyzed after spike peptide re-stimulation. Additionally, interferon-gamma (IFNγ) production by SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells was measured with an IFNγ release assay (IGRA) after antigen stimulation. We observed major deficits in naive CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in adults with DS as previously described. However, overall there was no difference in the percentage of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells or IFNγ production by these cells after primary vaccination, albeit with vaccine-specific differences. IFNγ concentrations measured by IGRA after primary vaccination were comparable between DS and HC. Booster vaccination increased SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in HC but not in DS, while IFNγ release (IGRA) increased to similar concentrations. In conclusion, we show that while functional T-cell responses (IFNγ production) are comparable after primary and booster vaccination, the magnitude (percentage of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells) may be lower after mRNA vaccination. We previously showed lower antibody concentrations and profound abnormalities in the naive T-cell compartment, warranting further investigation into T-cell-B-cell-interactions after vaccination in adults with DS.
Description
Projectcode: 4200P068 (42003202)
Date
2025
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Research Projects
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Keywords
Down syndrome, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, mRNA and vector vaccines, T cells, IFNy, SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Citation
Hensen, L C M, Streng, B M M, van Wijk, F, Nierkens, S, van Binnendijk, R S, Buisman, A-M, Coppus, A M W, Geurts van Kessel, C H, de Graaf, G, Van Der Klis, F R, Lamberts, R, Vidarsson, G, Ruckwardt, T J, de Vries, E, de Vries, R D, Weijerman, M E, Weinberger, D M, Wildenbeest, J G, Bont, L J & Delemarre, E M 2025, 'T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in adults with Down syndrome : A prospective cohort study', Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, vol. 21, no. 1, e2583416. https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2025.2583416