The effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines on antinuclear autoantibody formation in individuals without prior COVID-19 infection.

BACKGROUND

Viral particles in SARS-CoV-2 vaccines have molecular motifs resembling self-antigens, potentially triggering autoantibody production. This study aimed to investigate the effects of mRNA vaccines (BioNTech), which contain a single viral particle, and inactivated whole viral particles (Sinovac) on antinuclear autoantibody (ANA) formation in individuals without prior COVID-19 infection.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was retrospective and included individuals who had not contracted SARS-CoV-2 (tested negative for antigen or antibody). The effects of the inactivated vaccine were assessed in individuals with samples before and after both doses (n = 36); the mRNA vaccine was evaluated in individuals unvaccinated and after two doses (n = 17); and the effects of both vaccines were assessed in individuals who received only the inactivated vaccine (n = 15), only the mRNA vaccine (n = 15), or both (n = 15). ANAs were determined using validated anti-dsDNA, anti-ENA, and anti-Hep-2 nucleus tests.

RESULTS

The inactivated vaccines cumulatively increased (p < 0.05) positivity for anti-dsDNA (from 13.9 to 36.1%) and anti-Hep-2 nuclear antibody (from 13.9 to 38.9%) but not anti-ENA antibodies (from 11.1 to 22.2%). The mRNA vaccine did not affect ANA formation compared to unvaccinated stages (p > 0.05). On the other hand, combination of both vaccine types increased the rate of positivity for the anti-dsDNA antibody (from 20.0 to 53.3%, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Small, yet valuable, sample size suggest that whole molecule vaccines may increase likelihood of ANA formation, probably due to exposure to increased number of assorted viral epitopes. Moreover, combination of both vaccines appears to increase anti-dsDNA antibodies and this deserves further investigation.