Immune Memory in Mild COVID-19 Patients and Unexposed Donors Reveals Persistent T Cell Responses After SARS-CoV-2 Infection

• DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.636768
• Publication Date: 2021-03-11T05:15:10Z
• Authors: Asgar Ansari; Rakesh Arya; Shilpa Sachan; Someshwar Nath Jha; Anurag Kalia; Anupam Lall; Alessandro Sette; Alba Grifoni; Daniela Weiskopf; Poonam Coshic; Ashok Sharma; Nimesh Gupta
• Keywords: Pandemic; Memory T cell

Understanding the causes of diverse outcome COVID-19 pandemic in different geographical locations is important for worldwide vaccine implementation and control responses. We analyzed 42 unexposed healthy donors 28 mild subjects up to 5 months from recovery SARS-CoV-2 specific immunological memory. Using HLA class II predicted peptide megapools, we identified cross-reactive CD4+ T cells around 66% individuals. Moreover, found detectable immune memory patients several after crucial arms protective adaptive immunity; B cells, with a minimal contribution CD8+ cells. Interestingly, persistent predominantly targeted towards Spike glycoprotein SARS-CoV-2. This study provides evidence both high magnitude pre-existing Indian population. By providing knowledge on cellular responses SARS-CoV-2, our work has implication development vaccines against COVID-19.