Why immune responses to vaccines vary from person to person
Vaccines protect most people from serious illness, but the strength of that protection can vary considerably from one person to another. A new study led by Arizona State University helps us understand why.
This study led by Arizona State University explores why immune responses to vaccines can vary widely among individuals. By analyzing blood samples from over 4,000 people, researchers identified antibody signatures that help predict whether someone will have a strong or weak response to vaccination, even before receiving the vaccine.
The researchers used artificial intelligence to analyze patterns in antibody levels against 185 different antigens, including those from common viruses, bacteria, and autoimmune disease targets. They found that certain preexisting antibodies, such as those to common microbes like Staphylococcus aureus, RSV, and human respirovirus 3, were strongly linked to stronger coronavirus vaccine responses.
The study suggests that a pre-vaccine antibody fingerprint could help identify individuals who are more immune-ready, moving towards personalized vaccination strategies. This approach may be particularly valuable for people with immune-compromising conditions, where outcomes can vary significantly. The deep-learning model used in the study analyzed thousands of antibody measurements, revealing subtle patterns that could indicate a person's baseline immune readiness.
While the findings are promising, further research is needed to validate this method across different studies and vaccines. If confirmed, this approach could guide vaccine decisions, help identify those needing additional doses, and improve our understanding of individual immune responses to vaccination.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
