[PDF][PDF] Maturation and persistence of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 memory B cell response

A Sokal, P Chappert, G Barba-Spaeth, A Roeser… - Cell, 2021 - cell.com
A Sokal, P Chappert, G Barba-Spaeth, A Roeser, S Fourati, I Azzaoui, A Vandenberghe…
Cell, 2021cell.com
Memory B cells play a fundamental role in host defenses against viruses, but to date, their
role has been relatively unsettled in the context of SARS-CoV-2. We report here a
longitudinal single-cell and repertoire profiling of the B cell response up to 6 months in mild
and severe COVID-19 patients. Distinct SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific activated B cell clones
fueled an early antibody-secreting cell burst as well as a durable synchronous germinal
center response. While highly mutated memory B cells, including pre-existing cross-reactive …
Summary
Memory B cells play a fundamental role in host defenses against viruses, but to date, their role has been relatively unsettled in the context of SARS-CoV-2. We report here a longitudinal single-cell and repertoire profiling of the B cell response up to 6 months in mild and severe COVID-19 patients. Distinct SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific activated B cell clones fueled an early antibody-secreting cell burst as well as a durable synchronous germinal center response. While highly mutated memory B cells, including pre-existing cross-reactive seasonal Betacoronavirus-specific clones, were recruited early in the response, neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 RBD-specific clones accumulated with time and largely contributed to the late, remarkably stable, memory B cell pool. Highlighting germinal center maturation, these cells displayed clear accumulation of somatic mutations in their variable region genes over time. Overall, these findings demonstrate that an antigen-driven activation persisted and matured up to 6 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection and may provide long-term protection.
cell.com