Early induction of functional SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells associates with rapid viral clearance and mild disease in COVID-19 patients
Anthony Tanoto Tana, Martin Linstera, Chee Wah Tana, Nina Le Berta, Wan Ni Chiaa, Kamini Kunasegarana, Yan Zhuanga, Christine Y. L. Thama, Adeline Chiaa, Gavin J. D. Smitha, Barnaby Edward Youngb c d, Shirin Kalimuddina e
- aProgramme in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- bNational Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore, Singapore
- cDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- dLee Kong Cian School of Medicine, Singapore, Singapore
- eDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- fYong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- gSingapore Immunology Network, A(∗)STAR, Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address: antonio@duke-nus.edu.sg
- hSingapore Immunology Network, A∗STAR, Singapore, Singapore
- ✉Corresponding author
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Abstract
Virus-specific humoral and cellular immunity act synergistically to protect the host from viral infection. We interrogate the dynamic changes of virological and immunological parameters in 12 patients with symptomatic acute SARS-CoV-2 infection from disease onset to convalescence or death. We quantify SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in the respiratory tract in parallel with antibodies and circulating T cells specific for various structural (nucleoprotein [NP], membrane [M], ORF3a, and spike) and non-structural (ORF7/8, NSP7, and NSP13) proteins. Although rapid induction and quantity of humoral responses associate with an increase in disease severity, early induction of interferon (IFN)-γ-secreting SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells is present in patients with mild disease and accelerated viral clearance. These findings provide support for the prognostic value of early functional SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells with important implications in vaccine design and immune monitoring.
TL;DRAlthough rapid induction and quantity of humoral responses associate with an increase in disease severity, early induction of interferon (IFN)-γ-secreting SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells is present in patients with mild disease and accelerated viral clearance, providing support for the prognostic value of early functional SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells with important implications in vaccine design and immune monitoring. (Semantic Scholar)