Early antiviral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are associated with upper airway clearance of SARS-CoV-2.

Early antiviral CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are associated with upper airway clearance of SARS-CoV-2.

Publication date: Dec 20, 2024

T cells are involved in protective immunity against numerous viral infections. Data regarding functional roles of human T cells in SARS-CoV-2 (SARS2) viral clearance in primary COVID-19 are limited. To address this knowledge gap, we assessed samples for associations between SARS2 upper respiratory tract viral RNA levels and early virus-specific adaptive immune responses for 95 unvaccinated clinical trial participants with acute primary COVID-19 aged 18-86 years old, approximately half of whom were considered at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19. Functionality and magnitude of acute SARS2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses were evaluated, in addition to antibody responses. Most individuals with acute COVID-19 developed SARS2-specific T cell responses within 6 days of COVID-19 symptom onset. Early CD4+ T cell and CD8+ T cell responses were polyfunctional, and both strongly associated with reduced upper respiratory tract SARS2 viral RNA, independent of neutralizing antibody titers. Overall, these findings provide evidence for protective roles for circulating SARS2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells during acute COVID-19.

Concepts Keywords
Antibody Adaptive immunity
Antiviral Adolescent
Cd4 Adult
Old Aged
Viral Aged, 80 and over
Antibodies, Neutralizing
Antibodies, Neutralizing
Antibodies, Viral
Antibodies, Viral
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
Cellular immune response
COVID-19
Female
Humans
Immunology
Infectious disease
Male
Middle Aged
RNA, Viral
RNA, Viral
SARS-CoV-2
T cells
Young Adult

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease MESH viral infections
disease MESH COVID-19
disease IDO cell
disease IDO symptom
disease MESH Infectious disease
pathway REACTOME Infectious disease

Original Article

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