The mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 demonstrates impaired T(H)1 immunogenicity in human elders in vitro and aged mice in vivo

mRNA vaccines have been key to addressing the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic but have impaired immunogenicity and durability in vulnerable older populations. We evaluated the mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 in human in vitro whole blood assays with supernatants from adult (18–50 years) and elder (≥60 years) participants measured by mass spectrometry and proximity extension assay proteomics. BNT162b2 induced increased expression of soluble proteins in adult blood (e.g., C1S, PSMC6, CPN1), but demonstrated reduced proteins in elder blood (e.g., TPM4, APOF, APOC2, CPN1, and PI16), including 30–85% lower induction of T(H)1-polarizing cytokines and chemokines (e.g., IFNγ, and CXCL10). Elder T(H)1 impairment was validated in mice in vivo and associated with impaired humoral and cellular immunogenicity. Our study demonstrates the utility of a human in vitro platform to model age-specific mRNA vaccine activity, highlights impaired T(H)1 immunogenicity in older adults, and provides rationale for developing enhanced mRNA vaccines with greater immunogenicity in vulnerable populations.