Highly functional virus-specific cellular immune response in asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection

CD4(+) T-CELLS Adult Male 0301 basic medicine Science & Technology SARS-CoV-2 Research & Experimental T-Lymphocytes Immunology 610 COVID-19 Research & Experimental Medicine Middle Aged Lymphocyte Activation Article 3. Good health 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Medicine Cytokines Humans Life Sciences & Biomedicine Asymptomatic Infections
DOI: 10.1084/jem.20202617 Publication Date: 2021-03-01T14:23:40Z
ABSTRACT
The efficacy of virus-specific T cells in clearing pathogens involves a fine balance between antiviral and inflammatory features. SARS-CoV-2–specific T cells in individuals who clear SARS-CoV-2 without symptoms could reveal nonpathological yet protective characteristics. We longitudinally studied SARS-CoV-2–specific T cells in a cohort of asymptomatic (n = 85) and symptomatic (n = 75) COVID-19 patients after seroconversion. We quantified T cells reactive to structural proteins (M, NP, and Spike) using ELISpot and cytokine secretion in whole blood. Frequencies of SARS-CoV-2–specific T cells were similar between asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals, but the former showed an increased IFN-γ and IL-2 production. This was associated with a proportional secretion of IL-10 and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β) only in asymptomatic infection, while a disproportionate secretion of inflammatory cytokines was triggered by SARS-CoV-2–specific T cell activation in symptomatic individuals. Thus, asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2–infected individuals are not characterized by weak antiviral immunity; on the contrary, they mount a highly functional virus-specific cellular immune response.
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL
Coming soon ....
REFERENCES (37)
CITATIONS (290)
EXTERNAL LINKS
PlumX Metrics
RECOMMENDATIONS
FAIR ASSESSMENT
Coming soon ....
JUPYTER LAB
Coming soon ....