Exploration of immune phenotypes in self-sampling citizens.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Proteomics
• Public Health

Background:

• Blood proteins offer insights into pandemic responses.
• Understanding immunity in the general population requires broader sampling beyond clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate immune responses to COVID-19 in a general population sample.
• To analyze autoantibodies and blood protein profiles in relation to infections and vaccinations.
• To identify immune phenotypes in a citizen-centric cohort.

Main Methods:

• Citizen-centric survey of 2,000 residents (18-69 years) in Sweden.
• Analysis of self-sampled dried blood spots (DBS) from 437 volunteers.
• Multi-analyte COVID-19 serology, autoantibody measurement against interferons, and quantification of 502 immune-related blood proteins.

Main Results:

• Confirmed self-reported COVID-19 infections (26%) and vaccinations (40%) via antibody assays.
• Identified frequent co-occurrence of anti-type I interferon autoantibodies with natural infections.
• Revealed 24% of participants had deviating immune phenotypes linked to infections, immunity, respiratory effects, and age.

Conclusions:

• Multi-molecular DBS analysis in laypersons captures diverse immune states.
• Findings provide mechanistic insights into cell-mediated processes and immune system variations.
• Results enhance understanding for clinical and public health strategies related to pandemic immunity.