T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 in unexposed South African women.
Marta C NunesMichael J JohnsonGaurav KwatraAdriana WeinbergShabir A MadhiPublished in: Gates open research (2021)
Background : A potential explanation for the fact that the high rate of infection of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa did not translate into high rates of severe illness and death may be the presence of cross-reactive immunity induced by common cold coronaviruses (CCoV). Methods : We used SARS-CoV-2 peptide pools and whole virus antigen to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected pre-2020 from South African women. Dual-colour FluoroSpot assay was used to measure interferon gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin 2 (IL2) production. Results : Among the 97 study participants, IFNγ responses were observed in 29.9% of the women and IL2 among 39.2%. Overall, 51.6% of women demonstrated response to at least one stimulant. Conclusion : We demonstrate the presence of cross-reactive immunity to SARS-CoV-2, which might have been induced by past exposure to CCoV.
Keyphrases
- sars cov
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- south africa
- pregnancy outcomes
- dendritic cells
- cervical cancer screening
- breast cancer risk
- insulin resistance
- pregnant women
- adipose tissue
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- metabolic syndrome
- hepatitis c virus
- skeletal muscle
- climate change
- hiv infected
- men who have sex with men