ImmunityMay 5, 2021

Immune cells targeting a key part of the COVID-19 virus start in high numbers and can recognize many versions

Updated Dec 28, 2025

Abstract

High frequencies of CD8T cells specific for the B7/N epitope were found in pre-pandemic samples and increased during COVID-19.

CD8T cells targeting the immunodominant B7/N epitope were detected more frequently in COVID-19 patients compared to unexposed individuals.
In contrast, CD8T cells for less dominant epitopes (B7/N, A2/S, A24/S) were less prevalent.
Pre-pandemic samples showed that most SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8T cells in all age groups had a naive phenotype, suggesting no previous exposure.
T cell receptor analyses indicated a diverse range of TCRαβ combinations in B7/N CD8T cells.
This study provides insights into the origins and responses of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells.

Simplified

To better understand primary and recall T cell responses during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), it is important to examine unmanipulated severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific T cells. By using peptide-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tetramers for direct ex vivo analysis, we characterized CD8T cells specific for SARS-CoV-2 epitopes in COVID-19 patients and unexposed individuals. Unlike CD8T cells directed toward subdominant epitopes (B7/N, A2/S, and A24/S) CD8T cells specific for the immunodominant B7/Nepitope were detected at high frequencies in pre-pandemic samples and at increased frequencies during acute COVID-19 and convalescence. SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8T cells in pre-pandemic samples from children, adults, and elderly individuals predominantly displayed a naive phenotype, indicating a lack of previous cross-reactive exposures. T cell receptor (TCR) analyses revealed diverse TCRαβ repertoires and promiscuous αβ-TCR pairing within B7/NCD8T cells. Our study demonstrates high naive precursor frequency and TCRαβ diversity within immunodominant B7/N-specific CD8T cells and provides insight into SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell origins and subsequent responses. + + + + + + + 257 269 1,208 105 105 105

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Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests.

PubMed

Immune cells targeting a key part of the COVID-19 virus start in high numbers and can recognize many versions

Abstract

Full Text

Funding

Competing interests

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Abstract

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