TNF inhibitors affect the induction and maintenance of spike-specific B-cell responses after mRNA vaccination
Authors' conclusion
These data suggest that TNFi therapy affects the differentiation of GC-derived B cells, which may explain its effect on humoral immune responses.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi)-treated or without systemic immunosuppression) and healthy controls after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination
- Participants
- 15 / 9 / 10
- Comparison
- TNFi-treated IBD patients vs IBD patients without systemic immunosuppression and healthy controls
- TNFin = 15
- IBD without immunosuppressionn = 9reference
- Healthy controlsn = 10reference
- Outcome
- Spike-specific B- and CD4+ T-cell responses after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination
Methodological detailsspectral flow cytometry, activation-induced marker assay
- Spectral flow cytometry
- Activation-induced marker assay
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Spike-specific CD4+ T-cell frequency and phenotype, including T follicular helper cells, not affected by TNFi
- Total spike-specific B-cell frequencies reduced in TNFi-treated patients
- Lower IgG+ memory B-cell frequencies in TNFi-treated patients 3-6 months after vaccination; confirmed in TNFi-treated RA patients
- At day 7 after second vaccination, TNFi reduced induction of class-switched CD11c- CD71+ activated (believed germinal centre (GC)-derived) B cells
- CD11c+ B cells (extrafollicular responses) not affected by TNFi
Original publication
TNF inhibitors affect the induction and maintenance of spike-specific B-cell responses after mRNA vaccination. RMD Open. Published 4 August 2025. doi:10.
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