Adaptive immunity to human coronaviruses is widespread but low in magnitude. Issue 3 (17th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tan, Hyon‐Xhi; Lee, Wen Shi; Wragg, Kathleen M; Nelson, Christina; Esterbauer, Robyn; Kelly, Hannah G; Amarasena, Thakshila; Jones, Robert; Starkey, Graham; Wang, Bao Zhong; Yoshino, Osamu; Tiang, Thomas; Grayson, Michael Lindsay; Opdam, Helen; D'Costa, Rohit; Vago, Angela; Mackay, Laura K; Gordon, Claire L; Wheatley, Adam K; Kent, Stephen J; Juno, Jennifer A
• Other Names: Przybylowski Greg investigator.; Pritchard Darren investigator.; Moore Rod investigator.; Balakas Robert investigator.; Asmus Casey investigator.; Batac Rene investigator.
• Is Part Of: Clinical & translational immunology. Volume 10:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-03-17
• Subjects: CD4 T cell -- coronavirus -- cTFH -- hCoV -- lymph node -- SARS‐CoV‐2; Immunologic diseases -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; Immune System Diseases -- therapy; Immunotherapy; Immunologic Factors -- therapeutic use; Translational Medical Research; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Clinical medicine; Immunologic diseases; Immunology; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.079
• DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1264
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-0068

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Endemic human coronaviruses (hCoVs) circulate worldwide but cause minimal mortality. Although seroconversion to hCoV is near ubiquitous during childhood, little is known about hCoV‐specific T‐cell memory in adults. Methods: We quantified CD4 T‐cell and antibody responses to hCoV spike antigens in 42 SARS‐CoV‐2‐uninfected individuals. Antigen‐specific memory T cells and circulating T follicular helper (cTFH) cells were identified using an activation‐induced marker assay and characterised for memory phenotype and chemokine receptor expression. Results: T‐cell responses were widespread within conventional memory and cTFH compartments but did not correlate with IgG titres. SARS‐CoV‐2 cross‐reactive T cells were observed in 48% of participants and correlated with HKU1 memory. hCoV‐specific T cells exhibited a CCR6 + central memory phenotype in the blood, but were enriched for frequency and CXCR3 expression in human lung‐draining lymph nodes. Conclusion: Overall, hCoV‐specific humoral and cellular memory are independently maintained, with a shared phenotype existing among coronavirus‐specific CD4 T cells. This understanding of endemic coronavirus immunity provides insight into the homeostatic maintenance of immune responses that are likely to be critical components of protection against SARS‐CoV‐2. Abstract : Adaptive immunity to human coronaviruses includes widespread, low‐level antibody and CD4 T‐cell responses, which are maintained independently. All hCoV‐specific and cross‐reactive SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific CD4 T‐cell responses share a common phenotypic and memory profile. hCoV‐specific CD4 T cells were substantially enriched in human lung‐draining lymph nodes compared with the circulation, suggesting a potential anatomical niche for maintenance of hCoV cellular memory.