Exploration of immune phenotypes in self-sampling citizens

Product:
Inflammation Panel 250
Topic:
Immunology
Disease Area:
Population Health
Sample Type:
Dried Blood Spot (DBS)
Topic/Product:
Inflammation Panel 250
Disease Area:
Population Health
Sample Type:
Dried Blood Spot (DBS)

Abstract

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has posed major health challenges. To expand our molecular understanding beyond those seeking medical care, we conducted a cross-sectional survey targeting random residents from Sweden’s two largest cities.

Two thousand participants were invited during 2021 to self-sample dried blood spots (DBS) and provide health information. DBS samples were analysed for multiple anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (Abs), auto-reactive antibodies (AAbs) against 23 interferons (IFNs), and for 502 circulating immune-related proteins. Data-driven methodologies characterised the DBS phenotypes in response to infections and vaccination.

We received DBS samples from 437 (22%) volunteers aged 18-69, 60% females, and 50% per city. Multi-analyte serology distinguished self-reported infections (26%) and vaccination (40%), revealing a time-dependent discrepancy between reported and measured immunity. Anti-IFN Abs were detected in 21% of the donors and more frequent for type 1 IFNs alongside a natural infection. Integrating proteomics with antibody data provided additional insights into processes of cell-mediated immunity. Proteomics-centric analysis identified 24% of the participants to deviate in their phenotypes due to infection, immunity, respiratory distress, and age-related traits.

Multi-molecular analysis of layperson samples uncovered heterogeneity and diversity of immunity and health phenotypes, complementing clinical investigations.

Authors & Affiliations

Leo Dahl¹, Annika Bendes¹, María Bueno Álvez¹, Vincent Albrecht¹¹⁴, Hooman Aghelpasand², Sophia Björkander³, Simon Kebede Merid³, Anja Mezger², Max Käller², Claudia Fredolini¹⁴, Åsa Torinsson Naluai⁵, Olof Beck⁶, Erik Melén³⁷, Stefan Bauer⁸, Magnus Gisslén⁹¹⁰¹¹, Niclas Roxhed¹²¹³, and Jochen M. Schwenk¹⁷¹⁵

¹ SciLifeLab, Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
² SciLifeLab, Department of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
³ Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
⁴ Affinity Proteomics Unit, SciLifeLab Infrastructure, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
⁵ Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
⁶ Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
⁷ Sachs’ Children and Youth Hospital, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden
⁸ TUM Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
⁹ Department of Infectious Diseases, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
¹⁰ Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
¹¹ Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden
¹² Department of Micro and Nanosystems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
¹³ MedTechLabs, BioClinicum, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
¹⁴ Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany
¹⁵ Lead contact

Steve Williams, MD, PhD

CSO

Dr. Willams serves as the company’s Chief Scientific Officer. He was previously Chief Medical Officer at Standard Biotools and at SomaLogic where he pioneered the discipline for discovery and validation of predictive, diagnostic and prognostic models using machine-learning applied to large-plex proteomics. 20 such tests were used for drug characterization, safety and efficacy when incorporated in clinical drug trials at Pharma/Biotech and 17 different multivariate tests were validated and translated into regulated healthcare uses. Prior to SomaLogic, Dr. Williams was at Pfizer in the UK and the USA as a clinical triallist in Translational Medicine, and subsequently as VP, Global Clinical Technology. He sat on the National Advisory Council for the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, the Executive Committee for the FNIH Biomarkers Consortium, and worked with FDA and PhRMA on developing evidentiary standards for biomarker qualification. Dr. William’s medical training was in London, at Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, followed by a PhD in medicine/physiology at the same institution and training in Radiology at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Steve is co-inventor on 26 proteomics patents and author/coauthor on multiple foundational proteomics manuscripts.

Justin McAnear

CFO

Mr. McAnear serves as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. He brings over 25 years of operational and financial leadership experience across various sectors and was instrumental in taking 10x Genomics public in 2019, serving as its CFO for over five years. Mr. McAnear served for over 3 years as Tesla’s VP of Worldwide Finance and Operations, supporting landmark initiatives such as the Model X and Model 3 launches and Solar City acquisition.  He also held various roles at Apple and J&J earlier in his career and served as a naval officer and aviator for over 9 years.