Elevated BMI reduces the humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 infection

Marcus Z.W. Tong (Leading Author), Julian D.J. Sng, Meagan Carney, Lucy Cooper, Samuel Brown, Katie E. Lineburg, Keng Yih Chew, Neve Collins, Kirsten Ignacio, Megan Airey, Lucy Burr, Briony A. Joyce, Dhilshan Jayasinghe, Christopher L.D. McMillan, David A. Muller, Anurag Adhikari, Linda A. Gallo, Emily S. Dorey, Helen L. Barrett, Stephanie Gras (Leading Author)Corey Smith (Leading Author), Kim Good-Jacobson (Leading Author), Kirsty R. Short (Leading Author)

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6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: Class III obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 40 kg m−2) significantly impairs the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. However, the effect of an elevated BMI (≥ 25 kg m−2) on humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination remains unclear. Methods: We collected blood samples from people who recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection approximately 3 and 13 months of post-infection (noting that these individuals were not exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or vaccinated in the interim). We also collected blood samples from people approximately 5 months of post-second dose COVID-19 vaccination (the majority of whom did not have a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection). We measured their humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2, grouping individuals based on a BMI greater or less than 25 kg m−2. Results: Here, we show that an increased BMI (≥ 25 kg m−2), when accounting for age and sex differences, is associated with reduced antibody responses after SARS-CoV-2 infection. At 3 months of post-infection, an elevated BMI was associated with reduced antibody titres. At 13 months of post-infection, an elevated BMI was associated with reduced antibody avidity and a reduced percentage of spike-positive B cells. In contrast, no significant association was noted between a BMI ≥ 25 kg m−2 and humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2 at 5 months of post-secondary vaccination. Conclusions: Taken together, these data showed that elevated BMI is associated with an impaired humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The impairment of infection-induced immunity in individuals with a BMI ≥ 25 kg m−2 suggests an added impetus for vaccination rather than relying on infection-induced immunity.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere1476
Number of pages13
JournalClinical & Translational Immunology
Volume12
Issue number12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords

  • antibody immunity
  • BMI
  • obesity
  • overweight
  • SARS-CoV-2

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