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Background In the general population, the seroconversion rate after primary vaccination with two doses of an anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine reaches nearly 100%, with significantly higher antibody titers after mRNA-1273 vaccination compared to BNT162b2 vaccination. Here we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the antibody response after two-dose mRNA-1273 versus BNT162b2 vaccination in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Methods A systematic literature review was performed using PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library and original research papers were included for a meta-analysis to calculate vaccine-specific seroconversion rates for each of the mRNA vaccines. Next, the pooled relative seroconversion rate was estimated. Results Eight studies that described the development of antibodies against receptor-binding domain (RBD) and/or spike protein were eligible for meta-analysis. Two of these studies also reported antibody titers. The meta-analysis revealed lower seroconversion rates in SOT recipients vaccinated with two doses of BNT162b2 {44.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 34.1–54.7]} as compared with patients vaccinated with two doses of mRNA-1273 [58.4% (95% CI 47.2–69.2)]. The relative seroconversion rate was 0.795 (95% CI 0.732–0.864). Conclusions This systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that in SOT recipients, higher seroconversion rates were observed after vaccination with mRNA-1273 compared with BNT162b2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims There is evidence for a disturbed intestinal barrier function in inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Because mucins represent the major components of the mucus barrier and disturbed mucin expression is reported in the colon of IBD patients, we studied the association between mucin expression, inflammation and intestinal permeability in experimental colitis. Methods We quantified 4-kDa FITC-dextran intestinal permeability and the expression of cytokines, mucins, junctional and polarity proteins at dedicated time points in the adoptive T cell transfer and dextran sodium sulfate [DSS]-induced colitis models. Mucin expression was also validated in biopsies from IBD patients. Results In both animal models, the course of colitis was associated with increased interleukin-1β [IL-1β] and tumour necrosis factor-α [TNF-α] expression and increased Muc1 and Muc13 expression. In the T cell transfer model, a gradually increasing Muc1 expression coincided with gradually increasing 4-kDa FITC-dextran intestinal permeability and correlated with enhanced IL-1β expression. In the DSS model, Muc13 expression coincided with rapidly increased 4-kDa FITC-dextran intestinal permeability and correlated with TNF-α and Muc1 overexpression. Moreover, a significant association was observed between Muc1 , Cldn1 , Ocln , Par3 and aPKCζ expression in the T cell transfer model and between Muc13 , Cldn1 , Jam2 , Tjp2 , aPkcζ , Crb3 and Scrib expression in the DSS model. Additionally, MUC1 and MUC13 expression was upregulated in inflamed mucosa of IBD patients. Conclusions Aberrantly expressed MUC1 and MUC13 might be involved in intestinal barrier dysfunction upon inflammation by affecting junctional and cell polarity proteins, indicating their potential as therapeutic targets in IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]