Immunological Investigations Thematic: Editors’ Introduction

Abstract

This year’s Thematic was created in the crucible of the COVID-19 pandemic. March 2021 marked the one-year anniversary of world-wide recognition of the impact of COVID-19. Lessons from years combatting another epidemic – due to HIV – enabled investigators and clinicians to rapidly focus their research, as well as technological and clinical endeavors on the control of SARS-CoV-2 – this new viral threat to humanity (Mendoza et al. 2021). The COVID-19 pandemic has generated a sense of urgency, galvanizing our scientific and pharmaceutical endeavors to consider vaccines in a new light. Gone is the historical approach to vaccine design: isolate, attenuate, and inoculate, then monitor for response and prevention of clinical disease and its complications (Hajj Hussein et al. 2015). The new paradigm is about molecular design using reconstructed parts of viral genomes or manipulation of non-infectious viruses to deliver immune-stimulating antigens. The focus of this Thematic was selected in mid-2020: the design and use of anti-viral vaccines. At that time, there was just a glimmer of hope that clinically available vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 would be available within a year but there were also concerns that the vaccine would be so scarce that it would impact vaccine distribution throughout our communities and the world. For the Thematic, we invited reviews by selected authors to address broad issues surrounding anti-viral vaccines to encompass topics such as: vaccine design and immunology, clinical efficacy and potential risks and barriers to widespread acceptance and use. To begin to address unique questions brought to light during this viral pandemic, Hofman et al. (2021) examine the elements in contemporary approaches in creating an effective vaccine. Activation of multiple arms of the immune system is stimulated by vaccines, thereby generating both cytotoxic T cell and neutralizing antibody responses. The authors summarize aspects of vaccine design such as selection of antigen, adjuvant, delivery platforms and formulations, and their impact on vaccine efficacy. Additionally, they review the reported clinical efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines that have received FDA, emergency use authorization (EUA) as well as others that are in late phase trials. Important basic scientific aspects of anti-viral vaccines have been addressed in our Thematic by Luo and Yin (2021). The authors focus on the role of B cells in mediating protection against viral infections and the latest findings on the response of these cells to vaccination. B cell responses give rise to the first wave of antibodies. With T-cell help, B cells can class switch from IgM to IgG isotypes, improving affinity against antigens and enhancing long-term protection afforded by vaccines. Implications for vaccines directed against SARS-CoV-2 are also discussed by the authors.