Ancestral SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells cross-recognize the Omicron variant

Abstract The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of concern (VOC) has destabilized global efforts to control the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Recent data have suggested that B.1.1.529 can readily infect people with naturally acquired or vaccine-induced immunity, facilitated in some cases by viral escape from antibodies that neutralize ancestral SARS-CoV-2. However, severe disease appears to be relatively uncommon in such individuals, highlighting a potential role for other components of the adaptive immune system. We report here that SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T cells induced by prior infection or BNT162b2…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

  Award: 75N93021C00016
• NI
  National Institute for Health and Care Research

  Award: COV-LT2-0041
• C
  Cancerfonden

  Award: 2019-
• KI
  Karolinska Institutet
• KO
  Knut och Alice Wallenbergs Stiftelse
• V
  Vetenskapsrådet

  Award: 2020-02033
• SL
  Svenska Läkaresällskapet
• SF
  Science for Life Laboratory
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: COVID-19, 75N9301900065, 75N93021C00016
• NI
  National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

  Awards: COVID-19, 75N9301900065, 75N93021C00016