RT Journal Article
T1 The impact of mycobacteria-induced trained immunity on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses
A1 Sánchez Morales, Lidia
A1 Porras, Néstor
A1 Pérez-Domingo, Andrea
A1 Pérez Sancho, Marta
A1 García-Seco Romero, María Teresa
A1 Díaz De Frutos, Marta
A1 Buendia, Aranzazu
A1 Moreno, Inmaculada
A1 Zamora, Leydis
A1 Balseiro, Ana
A1 Risalde, M. A.
A1 Rodríguez Bertos, Antonio Manuel
A1 Gortázar, Christian
A1 Domínguez, Mercedes
A1 Domínguez Rodríguez, Lucas José
AB IntroductionBeyond the role of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) for tuberculosis prevention, BCG has demonstrated heterologous protective effects. The global health crisis caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus led to research on whether BCG-induced trained immunity could strengthen antiviral defenses. However, studies reported quite different results on its effect against COVID-19.Methods and resultsIn this study, we evaluated the impact of pre-existing trained immunity induced by a BCG-derived Mycobacterium bovis strain (dpB), in both live and inactivated forms, in combination with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination prior to challenge in a mouse model. While the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine was enough for protection in morbidity and mortality terms, its combination with live dpB significantly enhanced immune responses reflected in higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduced pulmonary viral loads, and improved histopathological outcomes. Additionally, the formation of inducible bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue (iBALT) in lungs in vaccinated animals pre-exposed to live dpB points to a potential mechanism for long-term immune surveillance in the respiratory tract.ConclusionsThese immunological findings highlight the potential benefits of integrating trained immunity inducers with pathogen-specific vaccines to enhance immune responses and protection. Further research is needed to optimize immunomodulation strategies, dosing regimens and administration routes to maximize these synergistic effects and prevent potential negative effects.
PB Frontiers Media
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124007
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124007
LA eng
NO Sánchez-Morales L, Porras N, Pérez-Domingo A, Pérez-Sancho M, García-Seco T, Diaz-Frutos M, Buendia A, Moreno I, Zamora L, Balseiro A, Risalde MA, Rodriguez-Bertos A, Gortázar C, Domínguez M and Domínguez L (2025) The impact of mycobacteria-induced trained immunity on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses. Front. Immunol. 16:1633977. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1633977
NO Author contributionsLS-M: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. NP: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. AP-D: Writing – review & editing. MP: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. TG: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft. MDF: Writing – review & editing. ABu: Writing – review & editing. IM: Writing – review & editing,Writing – original draft. LZ:Writing – review & editing. ABa: Writing – review & editing. MR: Writing – review & editing. AR-B: Writing – review & editing. CG: Writing – review & editing. MD: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft. LD: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft.
NO Universidad Complutense
NO Comunidad de Madrid
NO European Commission
NO Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 10 abr 2026