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Molecular profiling of repeated self-sampled blood reveals dynamic immune phenotypes in young adults

Bendes, A.; Björkander, S.; Kere, M. M.; Kebede Merid, S.; Kumar, A.; Dahl, L.; Yu, Z.; Vogt, A.; Kim, C.; Pan-Hammarström, Q.; Bergström, A.; Kull, I.; Merritt, A.-S.; Ekström, S.; Lövquist, A.; Murrell, B.; Roxhed, N.; Melen, E.; Schwenk, J. M.

2026-01-21 epidemiology
10.64898/2026.01.16.26344184 medRxiv
Show abstract

Population-based studies of circulating blood proteins have provided profound insights into human biology. However, short-lived changes often remained undetected. To address this, we performed a comprehensive longitudinal dried blood spot (DBS) self-sampling study in 808 young adults of the BAMSE cohort during 2020-2022. We profiled serological, autoimmune, and proteomic phenotypes in relation to SARS-CoV-2 exposures (infection, vaccination), physiological traits, genetic variation, and blood counts. Data-driven seroclustering revealed dynamic immune response to both exposures, while analysis of anti-interferon autoantibodies (AAbs) uncovered associations of pre-existing stable AAbs with prolonged COVID-19 symptoms. Genome-wide mapping determined 664 pQTLs, with cis-pQTLs associated showing increased longitudinal stability. We also identified relationships between blood cell counts and DBS proteins beyond the hematocrit effects. Paired pre- and post-exposure highlighted transient alterations for infection (e.g. LAP3) and vaccinations (e.g. TIMP3). Multi-molecular phenotyping in self-sampling can capture dynamic immune trajectories, informing precision medicine efforts with clinically valuable insights on short-term variability in health phenotypes.

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