Immune Imprinting and Implications for COVID-19
Zhiqian Zhou, Julia Barrett, Xuan He
Abstract
Immunological memory is the key source of protective immunity against pathogens. At the current stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, heterologous combinations of exposure to viral antigens during infection and/or vaccination shape a distinctive immunological memory. Immune imprinting, the downside of memory, might limit the generation of de novo immune response against variant infection or the response to the next-generation vaccines. Here, we review mechanistic basis of immune imprinting by focusing on B cell immunobiology and discuss the extent to which immune imprinting is harmful, as well as its effect on SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination.
Topics & Concepts
Imprinting (psychology)Immune systemBiologyVaccinationImmunologyImmunityAntigenAcquired immune systemHeterologousImmunological memoryVirologyCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)MedicineInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseaseGeneticsGenePathologyImmune responses and vaccinationsSARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchImmunodeficiency and Autoimmune Disorders