Spike protein is a key target for stronger and more persistent T-cell responses-a study of mild and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Hematological parameters
IFN-γ
Immunodominance
Long-term immunity
Mild and asymptomatic COVID-19
Spike protein
Journal
International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases
ISSN: 1878-3511
Titre abrégé: Int J Infect Dis
Pays: Canada
ID NLM: 9610933
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Nov 2023
Nov 2023
Historique:
received:
22
05
2023
revised:
08
08
2023
accepted:
02
09
2023
medline:
27
10
2023
pubmed:
9
9
2023
entrez:
8
9
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Understanding the immune response in very mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 is crucial for developing effective vaccines and immunotherapies, yet remains poorly characterized. This longitudinal study examined the evolution of interferon (IFN)-γ responses to SARS-CoV-2 peptides in 109 asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic Ugandan COVID-19 patients across 365 days and explored their association with antibody generation. T-cell responses to spike-containing clusters of differentiation (CD4)-S and CD8 nCoV-A (CD8-A) megapools, and the non-spike CD4-R and CD8 nCoV-B (CD8-B) megapools, were assessed and correlated with demographic and temporal variables. SARS-CoV-2-specific IFN-γ responses were consistently detected in all peptide pools and time points, with the spike-targeted response exhibiting higher potency and durability than the non-spike responses. Throughout the entire 365-day infection timeline, a robust positive correlation was observed between CD4 T-cell responses to the spike-derived peptides and anti-spike immunoglobulin G antibody levels, underscoring their interdependent dynamics in the immune response against SARS-CoV-2; in contrast, CD8 T-cell responses exhibited no such correlation, highlighting their distinctive, autonomous role in defense. No meaningful variations in complete blood count parameters were observed between individuals with COVID-19 infection and those without, indicating clinical insignificance. This study highlights the dominant role of spike-directed T-cell responses in mild and asymptomatic disease and provides crucial longitudinal data from Sub-Saharan African settings. The findings provide valuable insights into the dynamics of T-cell responses and their potential significance in developing effective strategies for combating COVID-19.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37683720
pii: S1201-9712(23)00714-2
doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.09.001
pii:
doi:
Substances chimiques
spike protein, SARS-CoV-2
0
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
0
Interferon-gamma
82115-62-6
Antibodies, Viral
0
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
49-56Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declarations of competing interest The authors have no competing interests to declare.