Successive mRNA COVID Jabs Induce T Cell Memory, But Characterized by Shifts in Clonal Dominance

A Japan-based study suggests that T cell populations may go through significant change after each successive COVID mRNA vaccine or booster. Involving 38 healthcare workers at Nara Medical University who had received three doses of Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA BNT162b2,  along with dependence on TCR sequencing, this investigation reveals spike epitopes may emerge as immunodominant. Also, the investigators report intra-epitope shifts of vaccine-responding immune cell clonotypes.  Published in Cell Reports on March 7^th, Hiroyasu Aoki and Satoshi Ueha, both from the Tokyo University of Science led the effort, led the study.  Does the output offer clarity necessary for improved next-generation vaccines? That is overcoming limitations such as durability or breadth challenges?

The Study