Robust T Cell Immunity in Convalescent Individuals with Asymptomatic or Mild COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T cells will likely prove critical for long-term immune protection against COVID-19. Here, we systematically mapped the functional and phenotypic landscape of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses in unexposed individuals, exposed family members, and individuals with acute or convalescent COVID-19. Acute-phase SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells displayed a highly activated cytotoxic phenotype that correlated with various clinical markers of disease severity, whereas convalescent-phase SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells were polyfunctional and displayed a stem-like memory phenotype. Importantly, SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells were detectable in antibody-seronegative exposed family members and…

• ÅW
  Åke Wiberg Stiftelse
• JS
  Jeanssons Stiftelser
• WT
  Wellcome Trust

  Award: 100326/Z/12/Z
• C
  Cancerfonden
• SS
  Svenska Sällskapet för Medicinsk Forskning
• KI
  Karolinska Institutet
• V
  Vetenskapsrådet
• MB
  Magnus Bergvalls Stiftelse
• B
  Barncancerfonden
• SC
  Stiftelsen Clas Groschinskys Minnesfond
• SL
  Svenska Läkaresällskapet
• NI
  National Institutes of Health