Durability of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses at 12-months post-infection

 Zhongyan Lu, Eric D Laing, Jarina Pena-Damata, Katherine Pohida, Marana S Tso, Emily C Samuels, Nusrat J Epsi, Batsukh Dorjbal, Camille Lake, Stephanie A Richard, Ryan C Maves, David A Lindholm, Julia Rozman, Caroline English, Nikhil Huprikar, Katrin Mende, Rhonda E Colombo, Christopher J Colombo, Christopher C Broder, Anuradha Ganesan, Charlotte A Lanteri, Brian K Agan, David Tribble, Mark P Simons, Clifton L Dalgard, Paul W Blair, Josh Chenoweth, Simon D Pollett, Andrew L Snow, Timothy H Burgess, Allison MW Malloy

doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.08.11.455984

This article is a preprint and has not been certified by peer review [what does this mean?].

PDF: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.11.455984v1.full.pdf

Abstract

Background. 

Characterizing the longevity and quality of cellular immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 is critical to understanding immunologic approaches to protection against COVID-19. Prior studies suggest SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells are present in peripheral blood 10 months after infection. Further analysis of the function, durability, and diversity of the cellular response long after natural infection, over a wider range of ages and disease phenotypes, is needed to further identify preventative and therapeutic interventions. 

Methods. 

We identified participants in our multi-site longitudinal, prospective cohort study 12-months post SARS-CoV-2 infection representing a range of disease severity. We investigated the function, phenotypes, and frequency of T cells specific for SARS-CoV-2 using intracellular cytokine staining and spectral flow cytometry. In parallel, the magnitude of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies was compared. 

Results. 

SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies and T cells were detected at 12-months post-infection. Severity of acute illness was associated with higher frequencies of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 T cells and antibodies at 12-months. In contrast, polyfunctional and cytotoxic T cells responsive to SARS-CoV-2 were identified in participants over a wide spectrum of disease severity. 

Conclusions. 

Our data show that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces polyfunctional memory T cells detectable at 12-months post-infection, with higher frequency noted in those who originally experienced severe disease.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.11.455984v1