Surviving older patients show preserved cellular and humoral immunological memory several months after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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ABSTRACT: Understanding how older people respond to SARS-CoV-2 is critical if we are to confront the COVID-19 pandemic and establish effective vaccination strategies. Immunosenescence reduces the ability to respond to neoantigens and may compromise the life of infected individuals. Here, we analysed the immunological memory to SARS-CoV-2 in 102 recovered patients aged over 60 years several months after the infection had been resolved. Specific memory T lymphocytes against the virus were measured by IFN-γ and granzyme B release by ELISpot; memory B lymphocyte responses were quantified by detection of anti-S IgG1 producer cells by ELISpot and anti-S and anti-N antibodies were determined by ELISA. Memory T lymphocytes were found in peripheral blood of most of the studied donors, more than seven months after the infection in some of them. Fewer patients maintained memory B lymphocytes, but antibodies, mainly anti-S, were highly durable and positively correlated with T responses. More robust humoral responses were found in patients who had more severe symptoms and had been admitted to hospital. We concluded that specific immunity against SARS-CoV-2 is effectively preserved regardless of age, despite the great heterogeneity of their immune responses, and that memory T lymphocytes and anti-S IgG might be more durable than memory B cells and anti-N IgG.
SUBMITTER: Garcia-Torre A
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8406858 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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