Highly functional virus-specific cellular immune response in asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection.
J Exp Med
; 218(5)2021 05 03.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33646265
ABSTRACT
The efficacy of virus-specific T cells in clearing pathogens involves a fine balance between antiviral and inflammatory features. SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in individuals who clear SARS-CoV-2 without symptoms could reveal nonpathological yet protective characteristics. We longitudinally studied SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in a cohort of asymptomatic (n = 85) and symptomatic (n = 75) COVID-19 patients after seroconversion. We quantified T cells reactive to structural proteins (M, NP, and Spike) using ELISpot and cytokine secretion in whole blood. Frequencies of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells were similar between asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals, but the former showed an increased IFN-γ and IL-2 production. This was associated with a proportional secretion of IL-10 and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1ß) only in asymptomatic infection, while a disproportionate secretion of inflammatory cytokines was triggered by SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell activation in symptomatic individuals. Thus, asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals are not characterized by weak antiviral immunity; on the contrary, they mount a highly functional virus-specific cellular immune response.
Texto completo:
1
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Activación de Linfocitos
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Linfocitos T
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Citocinas
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Infecciones Asintomáticas
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SARS-CoV-2
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COVID-19
Tipo de estudio:
Clinical_trials
Límite:
Adult
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article