Author:
Mazzoni Alessio,Vanni Anna,Spinicci Michele,Capone Manuela,Lamacchia Giulia,Salvati Lorenzo,Coppi Marco,Antonelli Alberto,Carnasciali Alberto,Farahvachi Parham,Giovacchini Nicla,Aiezza Noemi,Malentacchi Francesca,Zammarchi Lorenzo,Liotta Francesco,Rossolini Gian Maria,Bartoloni Alessandro,Cosmi Lorenzo,Maggi Laura,Annunziato Francesco
Abstract
Although accumulating data have investigated the effect of SARS-CoV-2 mutations on antibody neutralizing activity, less is known about T cell immunity. In this work, we found that the ancestral (Wuhan strain) Spike protein can efficaciously reactivate CD4+ T cell memory in subjects with previous Alpha variant infection. This finding has practical implications, as in many countries only one vaccine dose is currently administered to individuals with previous COVID-19, independently of which SARS-CoV-2 variant was responsible of the infection. We also found that only a minority of Spike-specific CD4+ T cells targets regions mutated in Alpha, Beta and Delta variants, both after natural infection and vaccination. Finally, we found that the vast majority of Spike-specific CD4+ T cell memory response induced by natural infection or mRNA vaccination is conserved also against Omicron variant. This is of importance, as this newly emerged strain is responsible for a sudden rise in COVID-19 cases worldwide due to its increased transmissibility and ability to evade antibody neutralization. Collectively, these observations suggest that most of the memory CD4+ T cell response is conserved against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, providing an efficacious line of defense that can protect from the development of severe forms of COVID-19.
Subject
Immunology,Immunology and Allergy
Reference31 articles.
1. Tracking SARS-CoV-2 Variants
2. Assessing Transmissibility of SARS-CoV-2 Lineage B.1.1.7 in England;Volz;Nature,2021
3. Detection of a SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern in South Africa;Tegally;Nature,2021
4. Classification of Omicron (B.1.1.529): SARS-CoV-2 Variant of Concern
5. WHO COVID-19 Dashboard