Distinctive Features of SARS-CoV-2-specific T Cells Predict Recovery from Severe COVID-19

Overview

Journal Cell Rep

Publisher Cell Press

Specialties Biology
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Date 2021 Jul 14

PMID 34260965

Citations 61

Authors

Jason Neidleman

Xiaoyu Luo

Ashley F George

Matthew McGregor

Junkai Yang

Cassandra Yun

Victoria Murray

Gurjot Gill

Warner C Greene

Joshua Vasquez

Sulggi A Lee

Eliver Ghosn

Kara L Lynch

Nadia R Roan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Although T cells are likely players in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunity, little is known about the phenotypic features of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells associated with recovery from severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We analyze T cells from 34 individuals with COVID-19 with severity ranging from mild (outpatient) to critical, culminating in death. Relative to individuals who succumbed, individuals who recovered from severe COVID-19 harbor elevated and increasing numbers of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells capable of homeostatic proliferation. In contrast, fatal COVID-19 cases display elevated numbers of SARS-CoV-2-specific regulatory T cells and a time-dependent escalation in activated bystander CXCR4 T cells, as assessed by longitudinal sampling. Together with the demonstration of increased proportions of inflammatory CXCR4 T cells in the lungs of individuals with severe COVID-19, these results support a model where lung-homing T cells activated through bystander effects contribute to immunopathology, whereas a robust, non-suppressive SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell response limits pathogenesis and promotes recovery from severe COVID-19.

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