T cells found in COVID-19 patients 'bode well' for long-term immunity

[Yonnie3]

I found this an interesting read from Science Magazine

T cells found in COVID-19 patients ‘bode well’ for long-term immunity

By Mitch LeslieMay. 14, 2020 , 9:00 PM

Science's COVID-19 reporting is supported by the Pulitzer Center.

Immune warriors known as T cells help us fight some viruses, but their importance for battling SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has been unclear. Now, two studies reveal that infected people harbor T cells that target the virus—and may help them recover. Both studies also found that some people never infected with SARS-CoV-2 have these cellular defenses, most likely because they were previously infected with other coronaviruses.

“This is encouraging data,” says virologist Angela Rasmussen of Columbia University. Although the studies don’t clarify whether people who clear a SARS-CoV-2 infection can ward off the virus in the future, both identified strong T cell responses to it, which “bodes well for the development of long-term protective immunity,” Rasmussen says. The findings could also help researchers create better vaccines.

The more than 100 COVID-19 vaccines in development mainly focus on another immune response: antibodies. These proteins are made by B cells and ideally latch onto SARS-CoV-2 and prevent it from entering cells. T cells, in contrast, thwart infections in two different ways. Helper T cells spur B cells and other immune defenders into action, whereas killer T cells target and destroy infected cells. The severity of disease can depend on the strength of these T cell responses.

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The rest is at https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/05/t-cells-found-covid-19-patients-bode-well-long-term-immunity#

[Mike 03]

1. Tell Trump we found the true warriors!

They turned out to be T cells.

I want to know more about this:

some people never infected with SARS-CoV-2 have these cellular defenses, most likely because they were previously infected with other coronaviruses

[Yonnie3]

2. Me too

When I read that part I wondered it that might explain the asymptomatic people.

Some people get really ill, even without risk factors, while others have a minimal illness with the vast majority some where in between. These T cells that are possibly from other infections may make the difference.

It also made me think of how cowpox infections gave resistance to smallpox infections.

[HockeyMom]

3. British Study found the same for Flu

Apparently it is all about your T cells in the nose.

[Aristus]

4. Excellent!

Both studies also found that some people never infected with SARS-CoV-2 have these cellular defenses, most likely because they were previously infected with other coronaviruses.

This is pretty common in immunology. Patients who contracted the mild disease cowpox became immune to the deadly smallpox. This lead to the practice of vaccination, which was found to be superior to the older practice of inoculation.

[Duppers]

5. K & R

This is a complex disease - these cases need to be investigated:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142494493