Maturation and persistence of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 memory B cell response.
Cell
; 184(5): 1201-1213.e14, 2021 03 04.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33571429
ABSTRACT
Memory B cells play a fundamental role in host defenses against viruses, but to date, their role has been relatively unsettled in the context of SARS-CoV-2. We report here a longitudinal single-cell and repertoire profiling of the B cell response up to 6 months in mild and severe COVID-19 patients. Distinct SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific activated B cell clones fueled an early antibody-secreting cell burst as well as a durable synchronous germinal center response. While highly mutated memory B cells, including pre-existing cross-reactive seasonal Betacoronavirus-specific clones, were recruited early in the response, neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 RBD-specific clones accumulated with time and largely contributed to the late, remarkably stable, memory B cell pool. Highlighting germinal center maturation, these cells displayed clear accumulation of somatic mutations in their variable region genes over time. Overall, these findings demonstrate that an antigen-driven activation persisted and matured up to 6 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection and may provide long-term protection.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
B-Lymphocytes
/
COVID-19
/
Immunologic Memory
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Cell
Year:
2021
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
France