Durability of SARS-CoV-2–Specific T-Cell Responses at 12 Months Postinfection
Authors: Lu Zhongyan , Laing Eric D , Pena DaMata Jarina , Pohida Katherine , Tso Marana S , Samuels Emily C , Epsi Nusrat J , Dorjbal Batsukh , Lake Camille , Richard Stephanie A , Maves Ryan C , Lindholm David A , Rozman Julia S , English Caroline , Huprikar Nikhil , Mende Katrin , Colombo Rhonda E , Colombo Christopher J , Broder Christopher C , Ganesan Anuradha , Lanteri Charlotte A , Agan Brian K , Tribble David , Simons Mark P , Dalgard Clifton L , Blair Paul W , Chenoweth Josh , Pollett Simon D , Snow Andrew L , Burgess Timothy H , Malloy Allison M W ,   EPICC COVID-19 Cohort Study Group, Cowden J , Deleon S , Markelz A , Mende K , Merritt T , Merritt S , Walter R , Wellington T , Bazan S , Kay P , Brandon L , Dimascio-Johnson N , Ewers E , Gallagher K , Larson D , Odom M , Rutt A , Clark D , Chambers S , Conlon C , Everson K , Faestel P , Ferguson T , Gordon L , Grogan S , Lis S , Mount C , Musfeldt D , Robb-McGrath W , Sainato R , Schofield C , Skinner C , Stein M , Switzer M , Timlin M , Wood S , Atwood G , Banks S , Carpenter R , Eickhoff C , Kronmann K , Lalani T , Lee T , Smith A , Tant R , Warkentien T , Arnold J , Berjohn C , Cammarata S , Husain S , Kirkland N , Lane A , Parrish J , Utz G , Chi S , Filan E , Fong K , Horseman T , Jones M , Kanis A , Kayatani A , Londeree W , Madar C , Masel J , McMahon M , Miyasato K , Murphy G , Ngauy V , Schoenman E , Uyehara C , Villacorta Lyew R , Byrne C , Chung K , Coles C , Fox C , Grother M , Gunasekera D , Hickey P , Livezey J , Morales C , Oliver T , Parmelee E , Rusiecki J , Sanchez-Edwards M , Scher A , Fries A , Barahona I , Gunasekera D , Oyeneyin M , Banda M , Davis B , Hunter T , Ikpekpe-Magege O , Kemp S , Mody R , Resendez R , Sandoval P , Wiggins M 
Published: October 2021

Background

Characterizing the longevity and quality of cellular immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enhances understanding of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) immunity that influences clinical outcomes. Prior studies suggest SARS-CoV-2–specific T cells are present in peripheral blood 10 months after infection. Analysis of the function, durability, and diversity of cellular response long after natural infection, over a range of ages and disease phenotypes, is needed to identify preventative and therapeutic interventions.

Methods

We identified participants in our multisite longitudinal, prospective cohort study 12 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection representing a range of disease severity. We investigated function, phenotypes, and frequency of T cells specific for SARS-CoV-2 using intracellular cytokine staining and spectral flow cytometry, and compared magnitude of SARS-CoV-2–specific antibodies.

Results

SARS-CoV-2–specific antibodies and T cells were detected 12 months postinfection. Severe acute illness was associated with higher frequencies of SARS-CoV-2–specific CD4 T cells and antibodies at 12 months. In contrast, polyfunctional and cytotoxic T cells responsive to SARS-CoV-2 were identified in participants over a wide spectrum of disease severity.

Conclusions

SARS-CoV-2 infection induces polyfunctional memory T cells detectable at 12 months postinfection, with higher frequency noted in those who experienced severe disease.