Both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein have been associated with reduced severity of COVID-19, indicating a role for T cells in limiting viral pathogenesis. In addition, spike-specific CD4+ T follicular helper (TFH) cells support B cell maturation and neutralizing antibody production. Using a novel peptide–MHC tetramer to track human spike-specific CD4+ T cells, Wragg et al. now demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination induces robust CXCR5– T memory and circulating TFH cell responses, which are efficiently recalled upon antigen re-exposure and may contribute to long-term protection against SARS-CoV-2.
Authors: Kathleen M Wragg; Wen Shi Lee; Marios Koutsakos; Hyon-Xhi Tan; Thakshila Amarasena; Arnold Reynaldi; Grace Gare; Penny Konstandopoulos; Kirsty R Field; Robyn Esterbauer; Helen E Kent; Miles P Davenport; Adam K Wheatley; Stephen J Kent; Jennifer A Juno Journal: Nat Immunol Date: 2022-03-21 Impact factor: 31.250