Cross-reactive CD4(+) T cells enhance SARS-CoV-2 immune responses upon infection and vaccination
Authors
- L. Loyal
- J. Braun
- L. Henze
- B. Kruse
- M. Dingeldey
- U. Reimer
- F. Kern
- T. Schwarz
- M. Mangold
- C. Unger
- F. Dörfler
- S. Kadler
- J. Rosowski
- K. Gürcan
- Z. Uyar-Aydin
- M. Frentsch
- F. Kurth
- K. Schnatbaum
- M. Eckey
- S. Hippenstiel
- A. Hocke
- M.A. Müller
- B. Sawitzki
- S. Miltenyi
- F. Paul
- M.A. Mall
- H. Wenschuh
- S. Voigt
- C. Drosten
- R. Lauster
- N. Lachman
- L.E. Sander
- V.M. Corman
- J. Röhmel
- L. Meyer-Arndt
- A. Thiel
- C. Giesecke-Thiel
Journal
- Science
Citation
- Science 374 (6564): eabh1823
Abstract
The functional relevance of pre-existing cross-immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is a subject of intense debate. Here, we show that human endemic coronavirus (HCoV)-reactive and SARS-CoV-2-cross-reactive CD4(+) T cells are ubiquitous but decrease with age. We identified a universal immunodominant coronavirus-specific spike peptide (S816-830) and demonstrate that pre-existing spike- and S816-830-reactive T cells were recruited into immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and their frequency correlated with anti-SARS-CoV-2-S1-IgG antibodies. Spike-cross-reactive T cells were also activated after primary BNT162b2 COVID-19 mRNA vaccination displaying kinetics similar to secondary immune responses. Our results highlight the functional contribution of pre-existing spike-cross-reactive T cells in SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination. Cross-reactive immunity may account for the unexpectedly rapid induction of immunity following primary SARS-CoV-2 immunization and the high rate of asymptomatic/mild COVID-19 disease courses.