Memory T cells contribute to rapid viral clearance during re-infection, but the longevity and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T cells remain unclear. Here we conduct ex vivo assays to evaluate SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T cell responses in COVID-19 convalescent patients up to 317 days post-symptom onset (DPSO), and find that memory T cell responses are maintained during the study period regardless of the severity of COVID-19. In particular, we observe sustained polyfunctionality and proliferation capacity of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells. Among SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T cells detected by activation-induced markers, the proportion of stem cell-like memory T (T SCM ) cells is increased, peaking at approximately 120 DPSO. Development of T SCM cells is confirmed by SARS-CoV-2-specific MHC-I multimer staining. Considering the self-renewal capacity and multipotency of T SCM cells, our data suggest that SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells are long-lasting after recovery from COVID-19, thus support the feasibility of effective vaccination programs as a measure for COVID-19 control. T cells are instrumental to protective immune responses against SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. Here the authors show that, in convalescent COVID-19 patients, memory T cell responses are detectable up to 317 days post-symptom onset, in which the presence of stem cell-like memory T cells further hints long-lasting immunity.
【저자키워드】 viral infection, T cells, Immunological memory, Antimicrobial responses, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, vaccination, Immunity, feasibility, T cells, COVID-19 pandemic, CD4, CD8, viral clearance, memory, T cell, pathogen, cells, severity of COVID-19, immune responses, response, T cell responses, memory T cells, Re-infection, Longevity, differentiation, development, T cell response, memory T cell, SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells, convalescent COVID-19 patients, proliferation, MHC-I, stem cell, Support, Ex vivo, protective immune response, post-symptom onset, study period, measure, staining, memory T, effective, Cell, activation-induced markers, peaking, observé, responsible, evaluate, proportion, detectable, contribute, long-lasting, sustained, COVID-19 convalescent patient, SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell, 【제목키워드】 T cell memory, sustained, COVID-19 convalescent patient,