Germline variants and mosaic chromosomal alterations affect COVID-19 vaccine immunogenicity

Vaccine immunogenicity is influenced by the vaccinee's genetic background. Here, we perform a genome-wide association study of vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody titers and T cell immune responses in 1,559 mRNA-1273 and 537 BNT162b2 vaccinees of Japanese ancestry. SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody titers are associated with the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus, and T cell responses are associated with MHC. The lead variants at IGH contain a population-specific missense variant (rs1043109-C; p.Leu192Val) in the immunoglobulin heavy constant gamma 1 gene (IGHG1), with a strong decreasing effect (β = −0.54). Antibody-titer-associated variants modulate circulating immune regulatory proteins (e.g., LILRB4 and FCRL6). Age-related hematopoietic expanded mosaic chromosomal alterations (mCAs) affecting MHC and IGH also impair antibody production. MHC-/IGH-affecting mCAs confer infectious and immune disease risk, including sepsis and Graves’ disease. Impacts of expanded mosaic loss of chromosomes X/Y on these phenotypes were examined. Altogether, both germline and somatic mutations contribute to adaptive immunity functions.