Immunity to SARS-CoV-2: Lessons Learned

Abstract

In the year since the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and with understanding of the etiology of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it has become clear that most infected individuals achieve some form of immunity against the virus with relatively few reported reinfections. A number of vaccines have already achieved emergency use authorization based on data from large phase 3 field efficacy clinical trials. However, our knowledge about the extent and durability of this immunity, and the breadth of vaccine coverage against SARS-CoV-2 variants is still evolving. In this narrative review, we summarize the latest and rapidly developing understanding of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 infection, including what we have learned about the key antigens of SARS-CoV-2 (i.e., the spike protein and its receptor-binding domain), their importance in vaccine development, the immediate immune response to SARS-CoV-2, breadth of coverage of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, contributions of preexisting immunity to related coronaviruses, and duration of immunity. We also discuss lessons from newer approaches, such as systems serology, that provide insights into molecular and cellular immune responses elicited and how they relate to the trajectory of infection, and potentially inform immune correlates of protection. We also briefly examine the limited research literature on immune responses in special populations, such as pregnant women and children.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Need for an Integrated and Equitable Approach: An International Expert Consensus Paper

“… 40 41 These variants were designated as “concerning” predominantly due to their reported enhanced person-to-person transmission in some geographic areas, and they have since been detected in several countries worldwide. 42 43 44 A novel SARS-CoV-2 variant derived from clade 19B (HMN.19B variant or Henri Mondor variant) has been recently identified and is actually circulating in France. 45 Whether HMN.19B will be less susceptible to protection by natural, therapeutic, or vaccine-induced immune responses remains to be determined.…”

Autophagy and Mitophagy-Related Pathways at the Crossroads of Genetic Pathways Involved in Familial Sarcoidosis and Host-Pathogen Interactions Induced by Coronaviruses

“…The S protein plays a key role in the induction of neutralizing-antibody and T cell responses, in addition to protective immunity, during infection with SARS-CoV. Interestingly, ZDHHC5 and GOLGA7 interact to form a catalytically active protein S-acyltransferase complex that is localized to the plasma membrane and likely mediates palmitoylation of the S protein [107,108]. The identification of germline mutations of ZDHHC5 in familial sarcoidosis raises the question of the high susceptibility of such patients to SARS-CoV2 infection and reactivity to anti-S protein antibodies, either natural or vaccine-induced.…”

SARS-CoV-2 Immunity: Review of Immune Response to Infection and Vaccination

“…Individuals who suffer from seasonal Coronaviruses tend to develop immunity for about one year, while the quantity of antibodies acquired from infection with SARS-CoV-1 and MERS significantly decreases 2-3 years following the onset of symptom individuals susceptible to reinfection [6][7][8] . The understanding of the immunity against SARS-CoV-2 has been developing through sero surveillance studies conducted during the pandemic and evaluating B-and T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 among convalescent subjects with varying degrees of severity of disease 9 .…”