Increased SARS-CoV-2 IgG4 has variable consequences dependent upon Fc function, Fc receptor polymorphism, and viral variant
Repeated mRNA COVID-19 vaccination increases spike-specific immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) titers. Here, we characterized the influence of increased IgG4 titers on a range of Fc-mediated responses. Elevated spike-specific IgG4 reduced binding to FcγRIIIa and decreased antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. However, in individuals with lower total spike-specific IgG, IgG4 acted in synergy with other IgG subclasses to improve FcγRI and FcγRIIa binding and consequently antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis. Furthermore, this trend was more pronounced with more recent SARS-CoV-2 variants where vaccination induced comparably lower total spike-specific titers. These observations were further confirmed by in silico modeling where antibody subclass concentrations and FcγR polymorphisms were modulated. Collectively, we illustrate that the impact of elevated IgG4 titers upon Fc functions is dependent on multiple interconnected antibody and antigen factors, which should be taken into consideration when dissecting the mechanisms driving an effective Fc-mediated response following vaccination.
Authors
- P. Mark Hogarth (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0360-7890)
- Adam K. Wheatley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5593-9387)
- Robyn Esterbauer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7091-0048)
- Katherine Kedzierska (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6141-335X)
- Pradhipa Ramanathan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7390-8840)
- Thi H. O. Nguyen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9294-7693)
- Deborah Anne Williamson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7363-6665)
- Kelly B. Arnold (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4756-7461)
- Katherine A. Bond (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4473-9232)
- Jason A. Trubiano (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5111-6367)
- Kevin J. Selva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0780-9422)
- Janine M. Trevillyan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8660-5558)
- Jennifer A. Juno (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9072-1017)
- Stephen John Kent (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8539-4891)
- Robert M. Theisen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2097-8650)
- Bruce D. Wines (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4108-375X)
- Wen Shi Lee (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7285-4054)
- Amy W. Chung (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0020-9704)
- Ruth A Purcell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6378-5114)
- L. Carissa Aurelia
- Andrew P. Kelly (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2719-6544)
- Lilith F. Allen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4197-2573)
Institutions
- The Royal Melbourne Hospital (AU)
- Burnet Institute (AU)
- The University of Melbourne (AU)
- University of St Andrews (GB)
- University of Michigan (US)
- Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (AU)
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (AU)
- Peter Doherty Institute (AU)
- Alfred Health (AU)
- Austin Health (AU)
- Monash University (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Science Advances
- Published
- 2025-02-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ads1482
- Citations
- 12
- Primary Topic
- Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 16.32