Durable T-cellular and humoral responses in SARS-CoV-2 hospitalized and community patients

oleh: Kristin G.-I. Mohn, Geir Bredholt, Fan Zhou, Anders Madsen, Therese B. Onyango, Elisabeth B. Fjelltveit, Sarah L. Jalloh, Karl A. Brokstad, Diego Cantoni, Martin Mayora-Neto, Nigel Temperton, Nina Langeland, Rebecca J. Cox, on behalf of Bergen COVID-19 research group

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2022-01-01

Deskripsi

<h4>Background</h4> Neutralizing antibodies are important for protection against the pandemic SARS-CoV-2 virus, and long-term memory responses determine the risk of re-infection or boosting after vaccination. T-cellular responses are considered important for partial protection against novel variants of concern. <h4>Methods</h4> A prospective cohort of hospitalized (n = 14) and community (n = 38) patients with rt-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were recruited. Blood samples and clinical data were collected when diagnosed and at 6 months. Serum samples were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2-spike specific antibodies using ELISA (IgG, IgA, IgM), pseudotype neutralization and microneutralization assays. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were investigated for virus-specific T-cell responses in the interferon-γ and interleukin-2 fluorescent-linked immunosorbent spot (FluroSpot) assay. <h4>Results</h4> We found durable SARS-CoV-2 spike- and internal protein specific T-cellular responses in patients with persistent antibodies at 6 months. Significantly higher IL-2 and IFN-γ secreting T-cell responses as well as SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies were detected in hospitalized compared to community patients. The immune response was impacted by age, gender, comorbidity and severity of illness, reflecting clinical observations. <h4>Conclusions</h4> SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cellular and antibody responses persisted for 6 months post confirmed infection. In previously infected patients, re-exposure or vaccination will boost long-term immunity, possibly providing protection against re-infection with variant viruses.