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Lookup NU author(s): Lulu Wang, Alex Nicols, Dr Christopher DuncanORCiD, Dr Rebecca PayneORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY. Published by BMJ. The T cell memory response is a crucial component of adaptive immunity responsible for limiting or preventing viral reinfection. T cell memory after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus or vaccination is broad, and spans multiple viral proteins and epitopes, about 20 in each individual. So far the T cell memory response is long lasting and provides a high level of cross reactivity and hence resistance to viral escape by variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, such as the omicron variant. All current vaccine regimens tested produce robust T cell memory responses, and heterologous regimens will probably enhance protective responses through increased breadth. T cell memory could have a major role in protecting against severe covid-19 disease through rapid viral clearance and early presentation of epitopes, and the presence of cross reactive T cells might enhance this protection. T cell memory is likely to provide ongoing protection against admission to hospital and death, and the development of a pan-coronovirus vaccine might future proof against new pandemic strains.
Author(s): Wang L, Nicols A, Turtle L, Richter A, Duncan CJ, Dunachie SJ, Klenerman P, Payne RP
Publication type: Review
Publication status: Published
Journal: BMJ Medicine
Year: 2023
Volume: 2
Issue: 1
Online publication date: 22/11/2023
Acceptance date: 23/10/2023
ISSN (electronic): 2754-0413
Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
URL: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjmed-2022-000468
DOI: 10.1136/bmjmed-2022-000468
