Abstract
Memory B cells seem to be more durable than antibodies and thus crucial for the long-term immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Here we investigate SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific memory B cells and their dependence on CD4 + T cell help in different settings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Compared with severely ill individuals, those who recovered from mild COVID-19 develop fewer but functionally superior spike-specific memory B cells. Generation and affinity maturation of these cells is best associated with IL-21 + CD4 + T cells in recovered individuals and CD40L + CD4 + T cells in severely ill individuals. The increased activation and exhaustion of memory B cells observed during COVID-19 correlates with CD4 + T cell functions. Intriguingly, CD4 + T cells recognizing membrane protein show a stronger association with spike-specific memory B cells than those recognizing spike or nucleocapsid proteins. Overall, we identify CD4 + T cell subsets associated with the generation of B cell memory during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Keywords: CD4(+) T cell; CD40L; COVID-19; IL-21; SARS-CoV-2; antibody; memory B cells; recovered; severely ill; spike.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, spike, antibody, memory B cells, CD40L, recovered, CD4(+) T cell, IL-21, severely ill, 【초록키워드】 coronavirus disease, Coronavirus disease 2019, coronavirus, Immunity, antibody, T cells, SARS-COV-2 infection, Infection, memory B cells, CD40L, severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus, CD4, T cell, membrane protein, B cell memory, Exhaustion, Mild, respiratory, memory B cell, Affinity maturation, IL-21, association, best, acute respiratory syndrome, Activation, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, These cells, individual, Nucleocapsid proteins, functions, Spike-specific memory B cells, Generation, memory B, SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific memory B cells, identify, develop, recognizing, individuals, these cell, T cell subset, SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific, T cell help, 【제목키워드】 memory B cells, CD4, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, memory B cell, T cell help,