학술논문
SARS-CoV-2 induces robust germinal center CD4 T follicular helper cell responses in rhesus macaques.
Document Type
article
Author
Shaan Lakshmanappa, Yashavanth; Elizaldi, Sonny R; Roh, Jamin W; Schmidt, Brian A; Carroll, Timothy D; Weaver, Kourtney D; Smith, Justin C; Verma, Anil; Deere, Jesse D; Dutra, Joseph; Stone, Mars; Franz, Sergej; Sammak, Rebecca Lee; Olstad, Katherine J; Rachel Reader, J; Ma, Zhong-Min; Nguyen, Nancy K; Watanabe, Jennifer; Usachenko, Jodie; Immareddy, Ramya; Yee, JoAnn L; Weiskopf, Daniela; Sette, Alessandro; Hartigan-O'Connor, Dennis; McSorley, Stephen J; Morrison, John H; Tran, Nam K; Simmons, Graham; Busch, Michael P; Kozlowski, Pamela A; Van Rompay, Koen KA; Miller, Christopher J; Iyer, Smita S
Source
Nature communications. 12(1)
Subject
Language
Abstract
CD4 T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are important for the generation of durable and specific humoral protection against viral infections. The degree to which SARS-CoV-2 infection generates Tfh cells and stimulates the germinal center (GC) response is an important question as we investigate vaccine induced immunity against COVID-19. Here, we report that SARS-CoV-2 infection in rhesus macaques, either infused with convalescent plasma, normal plasma, or receiving no infusion, resulted in transient accumulation of pro-inflammatory monocytes and proliferating Tfh cells with a Th1 profile in peripheral blood. CD4 helper cell responses skewed predominantly toward a Th1 response in blood, lung, and lymph nodes. SARS-CoV-2 Infection induced GC Tfh cells specific for the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins, and a corresponding early appearance of antiviral serum IgG antibodies. Collectively, the data show induction of GC responses in a rhesus model of mild COVID-19.