Samantha M. King
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Previous Organizations / Institutes
The organizations / institutes from the scholar's other articles in the past ten years
Research Subjects
Samantha M. King has a total of 10 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Martin S. Zand
Department of Medicine, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
3 shared publications - Shannon P. Hilchey
Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
3 shared publications - Dongmei Li
Department of Clinical and Transitional Research University of Rochester Rochester New York U.S.A.
2 shared publications - Eloy Alvarez Guerra
Instituto Nacional de Coordinación de Trasplante, Santo Domingo 10103, Dominican Republic
2 shared publications - Kevin Fiscella
Department of Family Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, USA
2 shared publications - Lisette Alcantara
Clinical and Translational Science Institute, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
2 shared publications
Latest Publications
- Open Access
Antibody Responses to SARS-CoV-2 and Common HCoVs in Hemodialysis Patients and Transplant Recipients: Data from the Dominican Republic
Background: Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been pivotal in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. However, understanding vaccine-induced immunity in immunocompromised individuals remains critical, particularly how prior exposure to other coronaviruses modulates immune responses. The influence of previous infections with endemic human coronaviruses (HCoVs), such as OC43, on SARS-CoV-2 immunity is not fully understood. This study evaluates antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccination in hemodialysis patients (HD), transplant recipients (TR), and healthy controls (CO), accounting for prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and baseline human coronavirus (HCoV) reactivity. Methods: We obtained longitudinal antibody measurements from 70 subjects (CO: n = 33; HD: n = 13; TR: n = 24) and assessed antibody kinetics across multiple post-vaccination time points using multivariate linear mixed modeling (MLMM). Results: Limited but measurable cross-reactivity was observed between SARS-CoV-2 and endemic HCoVs, particularly the -coronavirus OC43. Pre-existing immunity in healthy individuals modestly enhanced vaccine-induced anti-spike (S) IgG responses, supported by post-vaccination increases in SARS-CoV-2 IgG. Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly influenced anti-S and nucleocapsid (N) IgG responses but had limited impact on endemic HCoVs responses. Vaccine type and immune status significantly affected antibody kinetics. mRNA vaccination (BNT162b2) elicited stronger and more durable SARS-CoV-2 anti-S IgG responses than the inactivated CoronaVac vaccine, especially in immunocompetent individuals. Immunocompromised groups showed delayed or attenuated responses, with modest anti-S IgG cross-reactive boosting. Elevated anti-N IgG in CoronaVac recipients raised questions about its origin—infection or vaccine effects. MLMM identified key immunological and clinical predictors of antibody responses, emphasizing the critical role of host immune history. Conclusions: These findings highlight a constrained but meaningful role for HCoV cross-reactivity in SARS-CoV-2 immunity and vaccine responsiveness, underscore the need for infection markers unaffected by vaccination, and support development of broadly protective pan-coronavirus vaccines and tailored strategies for at-risk populations.Open AccessAntibody Responses to SARS-CoV-2 and Common HCoVs in Hemodialysis Patients and Transplant Recipients: Data from the Dominican Republic
Background: Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 has been pivotal in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. However, understanding vaccine-induced immunity in immunocompromised individuals remains critical, particularly how prior exposure to other coronaviruses modulates immune responses. The influence of previous infections with endemic human coronaviruses (HCoVs), such as OC43, on SARS-CoV-2 immunity is not fully understood. This study evaluates antibody responses to COVID-19 vaccination in hemodialysis patients (HD), transplant recipients (TR), and healthy controls (CO), accounting for prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and baseline human coronavirus (HCoV) reactivity. Methods: We obtained longitudinal antibody measurements from 70 subjects (CO: n = 33; HD: n = 13; TR: n = 24) and assessed antibody kinetics across multiple post-vaccination time points using multivariate linear mixed modeling (MLMM). Results: Limited but measurable cross-reactivity was observed between SARS-CoV-2 and endemic HCoVs, particularly the -coronavirus OC43. Pre-existing immunity in healthy individuals modestly enhanced vaccine-induced anti-spike (S) IgG responses, supported by post-vaccination increases in SARS-CoV-2 IgG. Prior SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly influenced anti-S and nucleocapsid (N) IgG responses but had limited impact on endemic HCoVs responses. Vaccine type and immune status significantly affected antibody kinetics. mRNA vaccination (BNT162b2) elicited stronger and more durable SARS-CoV-2 anti-S IgG responses than the inactivated CoronaVac vaccine, especially in immunocompetent individuals. Immunocompromised groups showed delayed or attenuated responses, with modest anti-S IgG cross-reactive boosting. Elevated anti-N IgG in CoronaVac recipients raised questions about its origin—infection or vaccine effects. MLMM identified key immunological and clinical predictors of antibody responses, emphasizing the critical role of host immune history. Conclusions: These findings highlight a constrained but meaningful role for HCoV cross-reactivity in SARS-CoV-2 immunity and vaccine responsiveness, underscore the need for infection markers unaffected by vaccination, and support development of broadly protective pan-coronavirus vaccines and tailored strategies for at-risk populations. - Open Access
Antibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in Transplant Recipients and Hemodialysis Patients: Data from the Dominican Republic
Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in approximately 7 million deaths and a historic vaccination effort, with over 13.6 billion doses administered. Despite this, understanding of immune responses in vulnerable populations, such as transplant recipients (TR) and hemodialysis patients (HD), remains limited, especially outside the US and Europe. Methods: To address this gap, we analyzed blood samples and deidentified data from the Instituto Nacional de Coordinación de Trasplante (INCORT) in The Dominican Republic, measuring antibody levels to SARS-CoV-2 post-infection and vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and Sinovac-CoronaVac (Sinovac) in TR, HD, and healthy controls (CO). Using a fluorescent multiplex assay (mPlex-CoV) and mixed-effects modeling, we assessed variations in anti-S, anti-RBD, and anti-N IgG antibodies. Results: The results indicate that the CO group experienced an early peak in anti-S and anti-RBD antibodies, followed by stabilization. In contrast, the TR and HD groups showed a slower, gradual increase in antibodies. Despite fluctuations in the HD group, both the TR and HD groups maintained high anti-S and anti-RBD IgG levels, indicating a back-boosting effect from vaccination. However, elevated anti-N IgG levels in the TR and HD groups suggest potential reinfections. Additionally, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection led to higher anti-S IgG levels, with BNT162b2 associated with higher anti-S IgG and CoronaVac associated with higher anti-N IgG levels. Conclusion: These findings highlight the variability in antibody responses and the need for targeted public health strategies to diverse immunological profiles.
Open AccessAntibody Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines in Transplant Recipients and Hemodialysis Patients: Data from the Dominican Republic
Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in approximately 7 million deaths and a historic vaccination effort, with over 13.6 billion doses administered. Despite this, understanding of immune responses in vulnerable populations, such as transplant recipients (TR) and hemodialysis patients (HD), remains limited, especially outside the US and Europe. Methods: To address this gap, we analyzed blood samples and deidentified data from the Instituto Nacional de Coordinación de Trasplante (INCORT) in The Dominican Republic, measuring antibody levels to SARS-CoV-2 post-infection and vaccination with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) and Sinovac-CoronaVac (Sinovac) in TR, HD, and healthy controls (CO). Using a fluorescent multiplex assay (mPlex-CoV) and mixed-effects modeling, we assessed variations in anti-S, anti-RBD, and anti-N IgG antibodies. Results: The results indicate that the CO group experienced an early peak in anti-S and anti-RBD antibodies, followed by stabilization. In contrast, the TR and HD groups showed a slower, gradual increase in antibodies. Despite fluctuations in the HD group, both the TR and HD groups maintained high anti-S and anti-RBD IgG levels, indicating a back-boosting effect from vaccination. However, elevated anti-N IgG levels in the TR and HD groups suggest potential reinfections. Additionally, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection led to higher anti-S IgG levels, with BNT162b2 associated with higher anti-S IgG and CoronaVac associated with higher anti-N IgG levels. Conclusion: These findings highlight the variability in antibody responses and the need for targeted public health strategies to diverse immunological profiles.
- Open Access
First Impressions Matter: Immune Imprinting and Antibody Cross-Reactivity in Influenza and SARS-CoV-2
Many rigorous studies have shown that early childhood infections leave a lasting imprint on the immune system. The understanding of this phenomenon has expanded significantly since 1960, when Dr. Thomas Francis Jr first coined the term “original antigenic sin”, to account for all previous pathogen exposures, rather than only the first. Now more commonly referred to as “immune imprinting”, this effect most often focuses on how memory B-cell responses are shaped by prior antigen exposure, and the resultant antibodies produced after subsequent exposure to antigenically similar pathogens. Although imprinting was originally observed within the context of influenza viral infection, it has since been applied to the pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. To fully comprehend how imprinting affects the evolution of antibody responses, it is necessary to compare responses elicited by pathogenic strains that are both antigenically similar and dissimilar to strains encountered previously. To accomplish this, we must be able to measure the antigenic distance between strains, which can be easily accomplished using data from multidimensional immunological assays. The knowledge of imprinting, combined with antigenic distance measures, may allow for improvements in vaccine design and development for both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses.
Open AccessFirst Impressions Matter: Immune Imprinting and Antibody Cross-Reactivity in Influenza and SARS-CoV-2
Many rigorous studies have shown that early childhood infections leave a lasting imprint on the immune system. The understanding of this phenomenon has expanded significantly since 1960, when Dr. Thomas Francis Jr first coined the term “original antigenic sin”, to account for all previous pathogen exposures, rather than only the first. Now more commonly referred to as “immune imprinting”, this effect most often focuses on how memory B-cell responses are shaped by prior antigen exposure, and the resultant antibodies produced after subsequent exposure to antigenically similar pathogens. Although imprinting was originally observed within the context of influenza viral infection, it has since been applied to the pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. To fully comprehend how imprinting affects the evolution of antibody responses, it is necessary to compare responses elicited by pathogenic strains that are both antigenically similar and dissimilar to strains encountered previously. To accomplish this, we must be able to measure the antigenic distance between strains, which can be easily accomplished using data from multidimensional immunological assays. The knowledge of imprinting, combined with antigenic distance measures, may allow for improvements in vaccine design and development for both influenza and SARS-CoV-2 viruses.