Analysis of Mrna BNT162b2 Vaccine Effect on Angiogenic Factors Plgf and Sflt-1

Andelo M, Mujagic G, Ivan K and Marc J

Published on: 2024-05-18

Abstract

Objectives

The incidence of thromboembolic events after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination is still one of the biggest concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since vaccination imitates natural infection we hypothesized that the dysregulation of the renin-angiotensin system, caused by the spike protein binding, could induce an angiogenic imbalance leading to a hypercoagulable state and thromboembolic events. Based on this hypothesis we tested the effect of mRNA BNT162b2 vaccination on placental growth factor (PlGF) and angiogenic factors soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) concentrations.

Materials and methods

Subjects are selected from a prospective observational clinical study. Factors' concentrations were measured at five time points (1) T0- within 24 hours before 1st vaccination dose, 2) T1- 7 days after 1st dose, 3) T2 - 14 days after 1st dose 4) T3 - 7 days after 2nd dose and 5) T4 - 14 days after 2nd dose using electrochemiluminescence method (ECLIA) based on the sandwich principle.

Statistical analysis

Difference between PlGF and sFlt-1 at each time point was tested using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, while the difference between subjects without and with hypertension was tested by using the Mann-Whitney test. Correlation was tested by Spearman's correlation.

Results

Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed statistically significant differences in PlGF and sFlt-1 concentrations between time points T3 and T4 (PlGF; T3: 11.80 pg/mL and T4: 11.70 pg/mL, P=0.017 and sFlt-1; T3: 84.70 pg/mL and T4: 82.80 pg/mL, P=0.005). A weak positive correlation was found between age and PlGF concentrations at T0 (r=0.37, P=0.033), T1 (r=0.36, P=0.043) and T3 (r=0.43, P=0.014). A weak positive correlation was obtained between BMI and PlGF concentrations at T1 (r=0.42, P=0.015), T2 (r=0.40, P=0.020) and T4 (r=0.37, P=0.036).

Conclusion

According to our results, it is not likely that the assumed mechanism participates in the incidence of thromboembolic incidents after vaccination with the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine.