ABSTRACT
The cellular responses to the BNT162b2 vaccine and their correlation with antibody titer and gender determinants are critical to assess. We aimed to evaluate the cellular response kinetics, correlating it with gender and antibody titer.Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) were stimulated with SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, and the IFN-gamma was evaluated by Elispot assay at 5 different timepoints, for up to 9 months after the BNT162b2 vaccine. 107 healthcare workers were divided into 4 age groups: <40 and >40 years for men, based on the gradual decline of testosterone with aging;<48 and >48 years for women based on the decrease of estrogen with menopause. Furthermore, seropositive individuals were analyzed at baseline to avoid confounding factors caused by the previous infection with SARS-CoV-2. We also analyzed pre-pandemic samples as controls to consider the cross-reactivity toward other coronaviruses. Among seronegative at baseline, the T-cell response against Sprotein changed from a median of 2 spot forming cells (SFC)/400.000 PBMC (Interquartile range, IQR, 0-17) before vaccination to a median of 42 (17.5-78.0) after the second dose. Then, it progressively decreased to 13 (0-34) at 6 months after vaccination and 11 (0-31) after 9 months. At all timepoints, the differences were statistically significant compared to baseline values. Moreover, the results obtained after the second dose were significantly higher than those observed at any other time point. Indeed, a significant correlation was observed between T-cell response and anti-S antibody titer (p<0.001), previously analyzed, even if it was weak in magnitude (r=0.314). Natural seropositive showed higher T cell response at baseline than seronegative ones (median: 2 vs. 29, p=0.003), even if there were no significant differences in response at later time points. Our data suggest that T-cell reactiveness is poorly impacted by sex and age, whereas age was significantly associated with anti-S antibody titer. T-cell response declines 9 months later administration, indicating a waning of immune response over time. So, the positive correlation with the antibody titer confirms a linkage between different arms of adaptive responses and potentially converts future vaccinations into a tailored process.
ABSTRACT
IntroductionThe Coronavirus pandemic has originated unprecedented sanitary control measures that have conditioned people’s lifestyles and habits. Little is known about the impact of such measures, especially the most restrictive, on recent and growing phenomena such as exercise addiction, use of enhancement drugs, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).ObjectivesThe objective was to investigate the above-mentioned phenomena during COVID-19 pandemic and how they relate.MethodsThe sample consisted of 3161 participants (65% women), from Portugal (11%), Italy (41%), Spain (16%), the UK (12%), Lithuania (12%), Japan (6%), and Hungary (4%). Mean age was 35.05 (SD = 12.10). Participants responded online to the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), and questions about use of enhancement drugs.Results4.3% of the participants scored above the cut-off point of the EAI, with higher values registered in the UK and Spain. Exercise addiction was higher among men. Appearance anxiety and body satisfaction problems were found in participants of all participating countries, with 15.2% scoring over the cut-off point for BDD. Higher numbers of those at risk of BDD were found in Italy, Japan, and Portugal. About 29% reported the use of fitness supplements to make them look better, with 6.4% starting a new use during the lockdown. Change in supplements use and exercise are predicted by EAI scores. Change in mental health is predicted by AAI scores.ConclusionsThis study helps to shed light on how COVID-19 lookdown induced behavioral changes and how they affect physical and mental health-related aspects in different countries.