Immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines in type 2 diabetes mellitus not associated with obesity

• Grant number: 24/18290-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Program to Stimulate Scientific Vocations
• Start date: January 10, 2025
• End date: February 26, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Rui Curi
• Grantee: Thaís Campos Ribeiro
• Host Institution: Instituto Butantan. Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is one of the predominant comorbidities among non-surviving COVID-19 patients. Diabetic patients have a lower immunogenic response to vaccines for infectious diseases in general. In Brazil, more than 75% of type 2 diabetics are overweight or obese. The presence of obesity alone affects the body's responses to vaccines, but little is known about the impairment generated exclusively by hyperglycemia and peripheral insulin resistance. Our research group aims to investigate the exclusive influence of the diabetic state, without the obesity factor, on the dose-response to Butantan Institute vaccines against infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. To study the exclusive role of diabetes on the vaccine response and components of the immune system, we used the Goto-Kakizaki rat, a non-obese animal model of type 2 diabetes. The internship will provide the fellow with experience in planning and executing the experimental protocol using the Goto-Kakizaki rat and immunization protocols. The intern will receive technical training to perform cytokine dosage and evaluate the titration of antibodies induced after immunization. He/she will also be trained to evaluate in situ changes in lymphoid organs attributed to the vaccine response, such as identification of specific cell subpopulations by immunohistochemistry.