Impact of peripheral mitochondrial DNA level on immune response after COVID-19 vaccination

• Published in: iScience Vol. 26; no. 7; p. 107094
• Main Authors: Ikezaki, Hiroaki, Nomura, Hideyuki, Shimono, Nobuyuki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 21.07.2023; The Author(s); Elsevier
• Subjects: Immunology; Virology; Immunology; Virology
• ISSN: 2589-0042; 2589-0042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107094

The efficacy of vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the elderly is partially hindered by immunosenescence, resulting from decreased mtDNA levels. This study evaluated the correlation between mtDNA levels in peripheral leukocytes and immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Two hundred ten participants (median age 79.5 years), including 83 frail residents/inpatients and 70 robust outpatients, were analyzed. Anti-spike IgG antibody (IgG(S)) titers were serially measured from before the first vaccination to after the third vaccination. The mtDNA levels and cell-mediated immunity were measured in 45 elderly and 22 elderly individuals two months after the third vaccination. The robust group had consistently higher IgG(S) titers than the frail group. The mtDNA levels positively correlated with IgG(S) titers, as well as with cell-mediated immunity. These findings suggest that mtDNA levels positively impact vaccine-induced immunity. Further studies into maintaining mtDNA levels may provide insights into immunosenescence in the elderly. [Display omitted] •Peripheral mitochondrial DNA levels (mtDNA-CN) were assessed in the older people•The mtDNA-CN positively correlated with cell-mediated immune response•The mtDNA-CN also positively correlated with humoral immunity•The mtDNA-CN may be an indicator of vaccine efficacy or immunosenescence Immunology; Virology.