B Cell Numbers Predict Humoral and Cellular Response Upon <scp>SARS</scp> – <scp>CoV</scp> ‐2 Vaccination Among Patients Treated With Rituximab

Abstract

In RTX-treated patients, a minimum of 10 B cells per microliter in the peripheral circulation is a candidate biomarker for a high likelihood of an appropriate cellular and humoral response after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Mechanistically, the data emphasize the crucial role of costimulatory B cell functions for the proper induction of CD4 responses propagating vaccine-specific B cell and plasma cell differentiation.