CD56bright NK cells are negatively associated with antibody response to vaccination in people with multiple sclerosis on B-cell-depleting therapy

Abstract

Objectives

We sought to identify determinants of vaccine response in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) receiving B-cell-depleting therapies.

Methods

This was a prospective single-centre cohort study (ACTRN12623001249640). Peripheral blood samples were collected from pwMS receiving ocrelizumab (n = 38) before and after a third dose of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Immunogenicity was measured by T-cell IFN-γ ELISpot, antibody titres and live virus neutralisation. Humoral immunity was benchmarked against pwMS receiving natalizumab (n = 15), and against a correlate of real-world protection (50% reduction in incidence of infection). The peripheral immune phenotype was assessed by high-parameter flow cytometry and tested for association with vaccine response.

Results

CD20⁺ T cells, natural killer (NK) cells and B cells were lower in pwMS receiving ocrelizumab, while CD27⁺CD38⁺ T-cell and CD8⁺ NK cell frequencies were elevated relative to natalizumab. Following a third dose, 51% of pwMS on ocrelizumab were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain Ig, and 25% and 14% met the threshold for effective neutralisation of live ancestral and omicron BA.5 virus, respectively. B-cell frequency at the time of vaccination, but not time since ocrelizumab infusion, positively correlated with antibody response. Immunomodulatory CD56^bright NK cells were negatively associated with antibody response. CD3⁻CD20⁺ B cells (% of lymphocytes) and CD56^bright NK cells (% of NK cells) were associated with effective virus neutralisation in prior non-responders.

Conclusion

Time since ocrelizumab infusion was not associated with protective vaccination. Evaluation of B-cell and CD56^bright NK cell frequencies may provide a personalised strategy to stratify pwMS for vaccination and prophylaxis.