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Clinical Trial
. 2020 Dec;50(12):1998-2012.
doi: 10.1002/eji.202048908. Epub 2020 Nov 16.

Divergent SARS-CoV-2-specific T- and B-cell responses in severe but not mild COVID-19 patients

Anna E Oja  1 , Anno Saris  2   3 , Cherien A Ghandour  1 , Natasja A M Kragten  1 , Boris M Hogema  4 , Esther J Nossent  3   5 , Leo M A Heunks  3   6 , Susan Cuvalay  7 , Ed Slot  8 , Federica Linty  9 , Francis H Swaneveld  7 , Hans Vrielink  7 , Gestur Vidarsson  9 , Theo Rispens  10 , Ellen van der Schoot  9 , René A W van Lier  1 , Anja Ten Brinke  10 , Pleun Hombrink  1
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Divergent SARS-CoV-2-specific T- and B-cell responses in severe but not mild COVID-19 patients

Anna E Oja et al. Eur J Immunol. 2020 Dec.

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Understanding the immune response that provides specific immunity but may also lead to immunopathology is crucial for the design of potential preventive and therapeutic strategies. Here, we characterized and quantified SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses in patients with different clinical courses. Compared to individuals with a mild clinical presentation, CD4+ T-cell responses were qualitatively impaired in critically ill patients. Strikingly, however, in these patients the specific IgG antibody response was remarkably strong. Furthermore, in these critically ill patients, a massive influx of circulating T cells into the lungs was observed, overwhelming the local T-cell compartment, and indicative of vascular leakage. The observed disparate T- and B-cell responses could be indicative of a deregulated immune response in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Keywords: CD4+ T cells; COVID-19; IgG; SARS-CoV-2; antibody response.

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