Mapping and role of T cell response in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice

作者：Zhuang, Zhen; Lai, Xiaomin; Sun, Jing; Chen, Zhao; Zhang, Zhaoyong; Dai, Jun; Liu, Donglan; Li, Yuming; Li, Fang; Wang, Yanqun; Zhu, Airu; Wang, Junxiang; Yang, Wenhui; Huang, Jicheng; Li, Xiaobo; Hu, Lingfei; Wen, Liyan; Zhuo, Jianfen; Zhang, Yanjun; Chen, Dingbin; Li, Suxiang; Huang, Shuxiang; Shi, Yongxia; Zheng, Kui; Zhong, Nanshan; Zhao, Jingxian^*; Zhou, Dongsheng^*; Zhao, Jincun^*

来源：Journal of Experimental Medicine, 2021, 218(4): e20202187.

DOI：10.1084/jem.20202187

• VIRUS-INFECTION
• EXPRESSION
• CD8(+)
• CYTOTOXICITY
• PROTECTION
• SECRETION
• ANTIGEN

Virus-specific T cells play essential roles in protection against multiple virus infections, including SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. While SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells have been identified in COVID-19 patients, their role in the protection of SARS-CoV2-infected mice is not established. Here, using mice sensitized for infection with SARS-CoV-2 by transduction with an adenovirus expressing the human receptor (Ad5-hACE2), we identified SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell epitopes recognized by CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Virus-specific T cells were polyfunctional and were able to lyse target cells in vivo. Further, type I interferon pathway was proved to be critical for generating optimal antiviral T cell responses after SARS-CoV-2 infection. T cell vaccination alone partially protected SARS-CoV-2-infected mice from severe disease. In addition, the results demonstrated cross-reactive T cell responses between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, but not MERS-CoV, in mice. Understanding the role of the T cell response will guide immunopathogenesis studies of COVID-19 and vaccine design and validation.

• 单位
  广州医学院; 1