Cytokine drivers and contributing immune cells of dexamethasone-treatable vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory pathology in COVID-19 hamsters

A range of vaccines against COVID-19 have been developed, which reduce transmission rates and confer protection. We have analysed two model vaccines, a TH1-biased measles vaccine-derived candidate and TH2-biased Alum-adjuvanted, non-stabilized Spike protein, utilizing a hamster model of severe COVID-19. Overall design: RT-qPCR, western blotting, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, total RNAseq and single cell RNAseq were performed on samples taken from Syrian hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2 following mock immunisation or immunisation with one of two model vaccines: a TH1-biased measles vaccine-derived candidate and TH2-biased Alum-adjuvanted, non-stabilized Spike protein.