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Publications

Journal Article Review Epublish 35 citations

PubMed: 38027416 DOI: 10.1136/bmjmed-2022-000468

T cell immune memory after covid-19 and vaccination.

BMJ Med 2(1):e000468

Authors: Lulu Wang, Alex Nicols, Lance Turtle, Alex Richter, Christopher Ja Duncan, Susanna J Dunachie, Paul Klenerman, Rebecca P Payne

Affiliations

  • Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Immunity and Inflammation Theme, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
  • NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
  • Tropical and Infectious Disease Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
  • Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
  • Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
  • NDM Centre For Global Health Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
  • Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Mahidol University Faculty of Science, Bangkok, Thailand.
  • Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK.
  • Translational Gastroenterology Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Abstract

The T cell memory response is a crucial component of adaptive immunity responsible for limiting or preventing viral reinfection. T cell memory after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus or vaccination is broad, and spans multiple viral proteins and epitopes, about 20 in each individual. So far the T cell memory response is long lasting and provides a high level of cross reactivity and hence resistance to viral escape by variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, such as the omicron variant. All current vaccine regimens tested produce robust T cell memory responses, and heterologous regimens will probably enhance protective responses through increased breadth. T cell memory could have a major role in protecting against severe covid-19 disease through rapid viral clearance and early presentation of epitopes, and the presence of cross reactive T cells might enhance this protection. T cell memory is likely to provide ongoing protection against admission to hospital and death, and the development of a pan-coronovirus vaccine might future proof against new pandemic strains.

MeSH

Cells, Sars-Cov-2, Epitopes, Vaccines, Vaccination, Covid-19, Viruses, Memory, T-Lymphocytes, Infections

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