Redistribution and activation of CD16^brightCD56^dimNK cell subset to fight against Omicron subvariant BA.2 after COVID-19 vaccination

With the alarming surge in COVID-19 cases globally, vaccination must be prioritised to achieve herd immunity. Immune dysfunction is detected in the majority of patients with COVID-19; however, it remains unclear whether the immune responses elicited by COVID-19 vaccination function against the Omicron subvariant BA.2. Of the 508 Omicron BA.2-infected patients enrolled, 102 were unvaccinated controls and 406 were vaccinated. Despite the presence of clinical symptoms in both groups, vaccination led to a significant decline in nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, pulmonary infection, overall clinical symptoms, and a moderate rise in body temperature. Omicron BA.2-infected individuals were also characterised by a mild increase in both serum pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels after vaccination. There were no significant differences or trend changes between T and B lymphocyte subsets; however, a significant expansion of NK lymphocytes in COVID-19-vaccinated patients was observed. Moreover, the most effective CD16brightCD56dimsubsets of NK cells showed increased functional capacities, as evidenced by a significantly greater IFN-γ secretion and stronger cytotoxic potential in Omicron BA.2-infected patients after vaccination. Collectively, these results suggest that COVID-19 vaccination interventions promote the redistribution and activation of CD16brightCD56dimNK cell subsets against viral infections, and could facilitate the clinical management of Omicron BA.2-infected patients.