CD4 T follicular helper (T fh ) cells are important for the generation of durable and specific humoral protection against viral infections. The degree to which SARS-CoV-2 infection generates T fh cells and stimulates the germinal center (GC) response is an important question as we investigate vaccine induced immunity against COVID-19. Here, we report that SARS-CoV-2 infection in rhesus macaques, either infused with convalescent plasma, normal plasma, or receiving no infusion, resulted in transient accumulation of pro-inflammatory monocytes and proliferating T fh cells with a T h 1 profile in peripheral blood. CD4 helper cell responses skewed predominantly toward a T h 1 response in blood, lung, and lymph nodes. SARS-CoV-2 Infection induced GC T fh cells specific for the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins, and a corresponding early appearance of antiviral serum IgG antibodies. Collectively, the data show induction of GC responses in a rhesus model of mild COVID-19. Induction of CD4 T follicular helper (Tfh) cells is important for antibody responses to viral infections. Here, the authors show in a rhesus macaque model of mild COVID-19 that SARS-CoV-2 infection results in transient accumulation of proliferating Tfh cells with a Th1 profile in peripheral blood and generation of germinal center Tfh cells specific for viral proteins.
【저자키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, Adaptive immunity, Infectious diseases, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, convalescent plasma, Monocytes, Antiviral, SARS-COV-2 infection, Antibody Response, Th1, lung, Viral proteins, CD4, viral infections, Peripheral blood, Antibody responses, Viral, response, Mild, plasma, Germinal center, lymph nodes, Blood, Tfh, SARS-CoV-2 spike, rhesus macaques, rhesus macaque, infusion, humoral, helper cell, induction, Nucleocapsid proteins, rhesus, pro-inflammatory monocytes, GC responses, serum IgG antibodies, Cell, generate, receiving, question, stimulate, follicular, GC response, infused, pro-inflammatory monocyte, skewed, Tfh cell, the SARS-CoV-2, 【제목키워드】 CD4, response, Germinal center, Cell, robust, induce, follicular,