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SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell memory is sustained in COVID-19 convalescent patients for 10 months with successful development of stem cell-like memory T cells

Author

Listed:
  • Jae Hyung Jung

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST))

  • Min-Seok Rha

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
    Yonsei University College of Medicine)

  • Moa Sa

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
    KAIST)

  • Hee Kyoung Choi

    (Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan Hospital)

  • Ji Hoon Jeon

    (Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan Hospital)

  • Hyeri Seok

    (Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan Hospital)

  • Dae Won Park

    (Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan Hospital)

  • Su-Hyung Park

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
    KAIST)

  • Hye Won Jeong

    (Chungbuk National University College of Medicine)

  • Won Suk Choi

    (Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan Hospital)

  • Eui-Cheol Shin

    (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
    KAIST)

Abstract

Memory T cells contribute to rapid viral clearance during re-infection, but the longevity and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T cells remain unclear. Here we conduct ex vivo assays to evaluate SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in COVID-19 convalescent patients up to 317 days post-symptom onset (DPSO), and find that memory T cell responses are maintained during the study period regardless of the severity of COVID-19. In particular, we observe sustained polyfunctionality and proliferation capacity of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells. Among SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells detected by activation-induced markers, the proportion of stem cell-like memory T (TSCM) cells is increased, peaking at approximately 120 DPSO. Development of TSCM cells is confirmed by SARS-CoV-2-specific MHC-I multimer staining. Considering the self-renewal capacity and multipotency of TSCM cells, our data suggest that SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells are long-lasting after recovery from COVID-19, thus support the feasibility of effective vaccination programs as a measure for COVID-19 control.

Suggested Citation

  • Jae Hyung Jung & Min-Seok Rha & Moa Sa & Hee Kyoung Choi & Ji Hoon Jeon & Hyeri Seok & Dae Won Park & Su-Hyung Park & Hye Won Jeong & Won Suk Choi & Eui-Cheol Shin, 2021. "SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell memory is sustained in COVID-19 convalescent patients for 10 months with successful development of stem cell-like memory T cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-24377-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24377-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Daan K. J. Pieren & Sebastián G. Kuguel & Joel Rosado & Alba G. Robles & Joan Rey-Cano & Cristina Mancebo & Juliana Esperalba & Vicenç Falcó & María J. Buzón & Meritxell Genescà, 2023. "Limited induction of polyfunctional lung-resident memory T cells against SARS-CoV-2 by mRNA vaccination compared to infection," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-14, December.

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