SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cell longevity correlates with Th17-like phenotype

Determinants of memory T cell longevity following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remain unknown. In addition, phenotypes associated with memory T cell longevity, antibody titers, and disease severity are incompletely understood. Here, we longitudinally analyzed SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell and antibody responses of a unique cohort with similar numbers of mild, moderate, and severe coronavirus disease 2019 cases. The half-lives of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells were longer than those of antibody titers and showed no dear correlation with disease severity. When CD4(+) T cells were divided into Th1-, Th2-, Th17-, and Tfh-like subsets, the Th17-like subset showed a longer half-life than other subsets, indicating that Th17-like cells are most closely correlated with T cell longevity. In contrast, Th2- and Tfh-like T cells were more dosely correlated with antibody titers than other subsets. These results suggest that distinct CD4(+) T cell subsets are associated with longevity and antibody responses.

Automated summary

The determinants of memory T cell longevity following SARS-CoV-2 infection are still unknown. This study found that the half-lives of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells were longer than antibody titers. Th17-like subset of CD4(+) T cells showed the longest half-life, indicating its close association with T cell longevity. In contrast, Th2 and Tfh-like T cells were more closely correlated with antibody levels.