Does BCG vaccine induced trained immunity provide cross-protection against COVID-19?

Authors

  • Fatima Aziz Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Kumail Ahmed Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Najeeha .T. Iqbal Department of Pediatrics and Child Health and Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Aga Khan University Karachi
  • Rabia Hussain Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Tehniat Sattar Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Abstract:

During the global COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of mortality and morbidity was fairly low in Pakistan compared to western countries. Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination provides cross-protection for a broad range of related and unrelated pathogens. This protection is attributed to the recognition of broadly cross-reactive Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern (PAMPS) like molecules. We investigated BCG-induced cytokine responses using prototypic markers for cells of the Trained Immunity (TI) network (M1 (TNFα), M2 (IL10), NK (IL2) cells, γδ cells (IL17, IL4), and B cells (IgG anti-COVID-19 RBD) in the plasma of healthy volunteers (n=20) using short-term cultures of Whole Blood (WBA) and purified PBMCs. Recall responses were observed for all cytokines with differing magnitudes in WBA and PBMCs. T cell cytokines showed significantly higher response in WBA compared to PBMCs, IFNg (p=0.004), IL2 (p=0.011) & IL4 (p=0.014). A similar trend was observed with spontaneous cytokines released from macrophage TNFa (p=0.009) but not for IL10 (p=0.017). A higher titer of anti-COVID-19 RBD IgG antibodies was also detected in plasma (p= 0.001).  In conclusion, the study showed the BCG-induced recall responses in all cells associated with the TI network. Pro- and down-regulatory cytokines showed differential magnitude and kinetics. The balance between activation of the pro-inflammatory and the regulatory arm of the TI network may determine the beneficial effects of BCG against viral infections and may afford protection to COVID-19 as well.

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volume 8  issue 1

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publication date 2022-05

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