TNF Inhibitors Affect Humoral Immunity, Study Reveals

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by Amsterdam University Medical Center has found that Tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) therapy can impair the formation and maintenance of antigen-specific B- and CD4+ T-cell responses following vaccination. The study, published in RMD Open, investigated the effect of TNFi on the humoral immune response after SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and rheumatoid arthritis.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that TNFi therapy reduced the induction of class-switched CD11c- CD71+activated B cells, which are believed to be germinal centre (GC)-derived, at day 7 after the second vaccination.
  • TNFi-treated patients had lower IgG+ memory B-cell frequencies compared to healthy controls and IBD patients without systemic immunosuppression.
  • The frequency and phenotype of spike-specific CD4+ T cells were not affected by TNFi therapy.
  • TNFi therapy reduced the induction of class-switched CD11c- CD71+activated B cells, which may explain its effect on humoral immune responses.
  • The study suggested that TNFi therapy affects the differentiation of GC-derived B cells.
  • The research involved 15 patients with IBD treated with TNFi, 9 IBD patients without systemic immunosuppression, and 10 healthy controls.
  • The study found no significant effect on spike-specific CD4+ T-cell frequency and phenotype in TNFi-treated patients.

Statistics:

  • 15 patients with IBD were treated with TNFi.
  • 9 IBD patients without systemic immunosuppression were included in the study.
  • 10 healthy controls were part of the research.
  • The study found that already at day 7 after the second vaccination, TNFi therapy reduced the induction of class-switched CD11c- CD71+activated B cells.
  • Total spike-specific B-cell frequencies were reduced in TNFi-treated patients by 3-6 months after vaccination.

Sources:

  • RMD Open, 2025,11(3) - http://rmdopen.bmj.com/
  • BMJ Publishing Group, publisher of RMD Open
  • NewsRx. Amsterdam University Medical Center Researchers Detail New Studies and Findings in the Area of COVID-19 (TNF inhibitors affect the induction and maintenance of spike-specific B-cell responses after mRNA vaccination). Proteomics Weekly. August 18, 2025; p 233