COVID-19 Vaccination Alters NK CellDynamics and Transiently Reduces HBsAg Titers Among Patients With Chronic Hepatitis B
- Author:
Hyunjae SHIN
1
;
Ha Seok LEE
;
Ji Yun NOH
;
June-Young KOH
;
So-Young KIM
;
Jeayeon PARK
;
Sung Won CHUNG
;
Moon Haeng HUR
;
Min Kyung PARK
;
Yun Bin LEE
;
Yoon Jun KIM
;
Jung-Hwan YOON
;
Jae-Hoon KO
;
Kyong Ran PECK
;
Joon Young SONG
;
Eui-Cheol SHIN
;
Jeong-Hoon LEE
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Immune Network 2023;23(5):e39-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination may non-specifically alter the host immune system. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccination on hepatitis B surface Ag (HBsAg) titer and host immunity in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients. Consecutive 2,797 CHB patients who had serial HBsAg measurements during antiviral treatment were included in this study. Changes in the HBsAg levels after COVID-19 vaccination were analyzed. The dynamics of NK cells following COVID-19 vaccination were also examined using serial blood samples collected prospectively from 25 healthy volunteers. Vaccinated CHB patients (n=2,329) had significantly lower HBsAg levels 1–30 days post-vaccination compared to baseline (median, −21.4 IU/ml from baseline), but the levels reverted to baseline by 91–180 days (median, −3.8 IU/ml). The velocity of the HBsAg decline was transiently accelerated within 30 days after vaccination (median velocity: −0.06, −0.39, and −0.04 log 10 IU/ml/year in pre-vaccination period, days 1–30, and days 31–90, respectively). In contrast, unvaccinated patients (n=468) had no change in HBsAg levels. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the frequency of NK cells expressing NKG2A, an NK inhibitory receptor, significantly decreased within 7 days after the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine (median, −13.1% from baseline; p<0.001). The decrease in the frequency of NKG2A + NK cells was observed in the CD56dimCD16+ NK cell population regardless of type of COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccination leads to a rapid, transient decline in HBsAg titer and a decrease in the frequency of NKG2A + NK cells.
