High levels of T-lymphocytes from the common cold coronaviruses may provide protection against the coronavirus, according to a study by Imperial College London published on Monday, cited by Reuters.
Immunity to COVID-19 is a complex affair, and while there is evidence of decreased antibody levels six months after vaccination, T-lymphocytes are also believed to play a vital role in providing protection.
The study, which began in September 2020, looked at cross-linked T-cell levels created by previous common colds in 52 household contacts of COVID-19-positive cases shortly after exposure to see if they continued to develop infection. It was found that the 26 who did not show infection had significantly higher levels of these T cells than the infected individuals. Imperial College did not say how long the T-cell protection lasted.
“We found that high levels of pre-existing T cells, which are created in the body when infected with other coronaviruses such as the common cold, can protect against COVID-19 infection,” said study author Dr. Rhia Kundu. The study’s authors, published in Nature Communications, said that the SARS-CoV-2’s internal proteins targeting T-lymphocytes could provide an alternative “target” for vaccine manufacturers.
Current vaccines for COVID-19 target the spike protein, but it is often mutated, creating variants such as Omicron that reduce the effectiveness of vaccines against symptomatic infection.
“In contrast, the endogenous proteins that target the protective T cells we have identified are much less mutated,” said Professor Ajit Lalvani, co-author of the study. “Therefore, they are largely conserved among the various variants of SARS-CoV-2, including Omicron. The new vaccines that include these conserved, endogenous proteins will therefore elicit broadly protective T-cell responses that will protect against current and future variants of SARS-CoV-2.
reuters.com
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