SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell memory is sustained in COVID-19 convalescent patients for 10 months with successful development of stem cell-like memory T cells

Jae Hyung Jung, Min-Seok Rha, Moa Sa, Hee Kyoung Choi, Ji Hoon Jeon, Hyeri Seok, Dae Won Park, Su-Hyung Park, Hye Won Jeong (), Won Suk Choi () and Eui-Cheol Shin ()
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Jae Hyung Jung: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Min-Seok Rha: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Moa Sa: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Hee Kyoung Choi: Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan Hospital
Ji Hoon Jeon: Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan Hospital
Hyeri Seok: Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan Hospital
Dae Won Park: Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan Hospital
Su-Hyung Park: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Hye Won Jeong: Chungbuk National University College of Medicine
Won Suk Choi: Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan Hospital
Eui-Cheol Shin: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Memory T cells contribute to rapid viral clearance during re-infection, but the longevity and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2-specific memory T cells remain unclear. Here we conduct ex vivo assays to evaluate SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in COVID-19 convalescent patients up to 317 days post-symptom onset (DPSO), and find that memory T cell responses are maintained during the study period regardless of the severity of COVID-19. In particular, we observe sustained polyfunctionality and proliferation capacity of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells. Among SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells detected by activation-induced markers, the proportion of stem cell-like memory T (TSCM) cells is increased, peaking at approximately 120 DPSO. Development of TSCM cells is confirmed by SARS-CoV-2-specific MHC-I multimer staining. Considering the self-renewal capacity and multipotency of TSCM cells, our data suggest that SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells are long-lasting after recovery from COVID-19, thus support the feasibility of effective vaccination programs as a measure for COVID-19 control.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24377-1

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