Antigen-Specific T Cells and SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Current Approaches and Future Possibilities

Abstract

COVID-19, a significant global health threat, appears to be an immune-related disease. Failure of effective immune responses in initial stages of infection may contribute to development of cytokine storm and systemic inflammation with organ damage, leading to poor clinical outcomes. Disease severity and the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants highlight the need for new preventative and therapeutic strategies to protect the immunocompromised population. Available data indicate that these people may benefit from adoptive transfer of allogeneic SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells isolated from convalescent individuals. This review first provides an insight into the mechanism of cytokine storm development, as it is directly related to the exhaustion of T cell population, essential for viral clearance and long-term antiviral immunity. Next, we describe virus-specific T lymphocytes as a promising and efficient approach for the treatment and prevention of severe COVID-19. Furthermore, other potential cell-based therapies, including natural killer cells, regulatory T cells and mesenchymal stem cells are mentioned. Additionally, we discuss fast and effective ways of producing clinical-grade antigen-specific T cells which can be cryopreserved and serve as an effective “off-the-shelf” approach for rapid treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection in case of sudden patient deterioration.

Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products as Potential Therapeutic Strategy against COVID-19 and Immune-Related Disorders

“…These CAR-T cells can be obtained after the specific manipulation of patients’ cells and, thus, can be used to prevent the entry of SARS-CoV-2 and also its associated variants despite the genome mutations that it could bear. In the same line, Nova et al [ 10 ] showed the efficient large-scale production of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. Specifically, antigenic T-cells prepared by the IFN-γ cytokine capture system (CCS) have been classified as ATMPs, authorized for intended use by the EMA, and are currently used in critically ill SARS-CoV-2 patients.…”