SARS-CoV-2 Induces Robust Germinal Center CD4 T Follicular Helper Cell Responses in Rhesus Macaques

Overview

Journal Nat Commun

Specialty Biology

Date 2021 Jan 23

PMID 33483492

Citations 51

Authors

Yashavanth Shaan Lakshmanappa

Sonny R Elizaldi

Jamin W Roh

Brian A Schmidt

Timothy D Carroll

Kourtney D Weaver

Justin C Smith

Anil Verma

Jesse D Deere

Joseph Dutra

Mars Stone

Sergej Franz

Rebecca Lee Sammak

Katherine J Olstad

J Rachel Reader

Zhong-Min Ma

Nancy K Nguyen

Jennifer Watanabe

Jodie Usachenko

Ramya Immareddy

JoAnn L Yee

Daniela Weiskopf

Alessandro Sette

Dennis Hartigan-OConnor

Stephen J McSorley

John H Morrison

Nam K Tran

Graham Simmons

Michael P Busch

Pamela A Kozlowski

Koen K A Van Rompay

Christopher J Miller

Smita S Iyer

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

CD4 T follicular helper (T) 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 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 cells with a T1 profile in peripheral blood. CD4 helper cell responses skewed predominantly toward a T1 response in blood, lung, and lymph nodes. SARS-CoV-2 Infection induced GC T 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.

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