Distinct Immune Response at 1 Year Post-COVID-19 According to Disease Severity

Abstract

BackgroundDespite the fact of ongoing worldwide vaccination programs for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), understanding longevity, breadth, and type of immune response to coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is still important to optimize the vaccination strategy and estimate the risk of reinfection. Therefore, we performed thorough immunological assessments 1 year post-COVID-19 with different severity.MethodsWe analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma samples at 1 year post-COVID-19 in patients who experienced asymptomatic, mild, and severe illness to assess titers of various isotypes of antibodies (Abs) against SARS-CoV-2 antigens, phagocytic capability, and memory B- and T-cell responses.FindingsA total of 24 patients (7, 9, and 8 asymptomatic, mild, and severe patients, respectively) and eight healthy volunteers were included in this study. We firstly showed that disease severity is correlated with parameters of immune responses at 1 year post-COVID-19 that play an important role in protecting against reinfection with SARS-CoV-2, namely, the phagocytic capacity of Abs and memory B-cell responses.InterpretationVarious immune responses at 1 year post-COVID-19, particularly the phagocytic capacity and memory B-cell responses, were dependent on the severity of the prior COVID-19. Our data could provide a clue for a tailored vaccination strategy after natural infection according to the severity of COVID-19.

The deciphering of the immune cells and marker signature in COVID‐19 pathogenesis: An update

“…Interestingly, Kang et al 173 assessed titers of various isotypes of Abs against SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens, phagocytic capacity, and memory B responses in PBMCs and plasma samples obtained from individuals who suffered asymptomatic, moderate, and severe disease 1 year after COVID‐19. They demonstrated that the phagocytic capability of Abs and memory B‐cell responses, which are key factors in guarding against reinfection with SARS‐CoV‐2, are linked with disease severity at 1 year post‐COVID‐19.…”

Immunity after COVID-19 Recovery and Vaccination: Similarities and Differences

“…Significant memory T cell levels were detected 1 month after disease onset and persisted even when specific humoral immunity declined [ 79 ]. The level of immune responses at 1 year post-COVID-19, mainly the phagocytic capacity and memory B cell responses, depended on the severity of the prior COVID-19 [ 80 ].…”

Recapping the Features of SARS-CoV-2 and Its Main Variants: Status and Future Paths

“…Regarding its immunological role, COVID-19 vaccines elicit strong T-cell responses, which may provide protection even without seroconversion, helping to explain the relevance of vaccination [ 48 ]. Likewise, it must also be considered that natural SARS-CoV-2 infection boosted with vaccination can provide greater long-term immunization than only two doses of vaccination [ 49 , 50 ], with this protection being directly correlated with the severity of COVID-19 [ 51 ]. Thus, a third dose of vaccination has been shown to provide further protection in patients not naturally infected by SARS-CoV-2 [ 52 ].…”