 Yuki Masuo
PhD student in Department of Immunology
Kyoto University |
Title:
Lethal Cytokine Storm and Microthrombosis Post-mRNA Booster Vaccination
Abstract:
Rare adverse effects have been associated with Covid-19 mRNA vaccination. Although there are some reports of post-vaccination death, the relationship between vaccination and fatality remains elusive. Here, we present pre- and post-mortem analyses of a deceased case following Covid-19 mRNA vaccination. In-depth pathological analyses revealed systemic microthrombosis and massive heart ischemia. An imbalance in the vWF-ADAMTS13 axis and a cytokine storm likely contributed to the dysregulation of coagulation system. A cytokine storm developed within 24 hours after the booster shot, evidenced by the remarkably high serum levels of IFN-g, MIG, IP-10, IL-1Ra, and IL-6. scRNA-seq of immune cells revealed that pericardial fluid obtained at autopsy contained a large fraction of macrophages. These macrophages expressed various pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL1B, TNF, IL6, and CXCL8, and could produce these cytokines in vitro. Culture with both patient serum and recombinant S protein further activated the patient’s macrophages in an FcgR dependent manner, suggesting the involvement of the immune complex including the vaccine antigen in their activation. Collectively, our data suggest that mRNA booster vaccination triggered a macrophage-driven cytokine storm, which was followed by fatal acute heart failure due to microthrombosis in this current case.
Biography:
Yuki Masuo was born and raised in Kyoto, Japan. He earned his medical degree from Kyoto University in 2018. After completing four years of clinical training in the fields of Hematology and Rheumatology, he is currently a PhD student at the Department of Immunology at Kyoto University. The main focus of his research is to understand the immune responses after vaccination as well as dysregulated immune system in autoimmune diseases.
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