SARS-CoV-2 infection generates tissue-localized immunological memory in humans

MML Poon, K Rybkina, Y Kato, M Kubota… - Science …, 2021 - science.org
MML Poon, K Rybkina, Y Kato, M Kubota, R Matsumoto, NI Bloom, Z Zhang, KM Hastie…
Science immunology, 2021science.org
Adaptive immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection have been extensively characterized
in blood; however, most functions of protective immunity must be accomplished in tissues.
Here, we report from examination of SARS-CoV-2 seropositive organ donors (ages 10 to 74)
that CD4+ T, CD8+ T, and B cell memory generated in response to infection is present in the
bone marrow, spleen, lung, and multiple lymph nodes (LNs) for up to 6 months after
infection. Lungs and lung-associated LNs were the most prevalent sites for SARS-CoV-2 …
Adaptive immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection have been extensively characterized in blood; however, most functions of protective immunity must be accomplished in tissues. Here, we report from examination of SARS-CoV-2 seropositive organ donors (ages 10 to 74) that CD4+ T, CD8+ T, and B cell memory generated in response to infection is present in the bone marrow, spleen, lung, and multiple lymph nodes (LNs) for up to 6 months after infection. Lungs and lung-associated LNs were the most prevalent sites for SARS-CoV-2–specific memory T and B cells with significant correlations between circulating and tissue-resident memory T and B cells in all sites. We further identified SARS-CoV-2–specific germinal centers in the lung-associated LNs up to 6 months after infection. SARS-CoV-2–specific follicular helper T cells were also abundant in lung-associated LNs and lungs. Together, the results indicate local tissue coordination of cellular and humoral immune memory against SARS-CoV-2 for site-specific protection against future infectious challenges.
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