[PDF][PDF] Long-term SARS-CoV-2-specific immune and inflammatory responses in individuals recovering from COVID-19 with and without post-acute symptoms

MJ Peluso, AN Deitchman, L Torres, NS Iyer… - Cell Reports, 2021 - cell.com
MJ Peluso, AN Deitchman, L Torres, NS Iyer, SE Munter, CC Nixon, J Donatelli, C Thanh…
Cell Reports, 2021cell.com
We describe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific T cell
responses, soluble markers of inflammation, and antibody levels and neutralization capacity
longitudinally in 70 individuals with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants
represent a spectrum of illness and recovery, including some with persistent viral shedding
in saliva and many experiencing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). T
cell responses remain stable for up to 9 months. Whereas the magnitude of early CD4+ T …
Summary
We describe severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific T cell responses, soluble markers of inflammation, and antibody levels and neutralization capacity longitudinally in 70 individuals with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Participants represent a spectrum of illness and recovery, including some with persistent viral shedding in saliva and many experiencing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). T cell responses remain stable for up to 9 months. Whereas the magnitude of early CD4+ T cell immune responses correlates with severity of initial infection, pre-existing lung disease is independently associated with higher long-term SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cell responses. Among participants with PASC 4 months following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptom onset, we observe a lower frequency of CD8+ T cells expressing CD107a, a marker of degranulation, in response to Nucleocapsid (N) peptide pool stimulation, and a more rapid decline in the frequency of N-specific interferon-γ-producing CD8+ T cells. Neutralizing antibody levels strongly correlate with SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cell responses.
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