Cited by 647SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchImmune responses and vaccinationsCOVID-19 Clinical Research Studies

Functional SARS-CoV-2-Specific Immune Memory Persists after Mild COVID-19

Open access
Rodda, Lauren B., Netland, Jason, Shehata, Laila, Pruner, Kurt B., Morawski, Peter A., Thouvenel, Christopher D., Takehara, Kennidy K., Eggenberger, Julie +16 more·2021·Cell

Published version of a preprint

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus is causing a global pandemic, and cases continue to rise. Most infected individuals experience mildly symptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but it is unknown whether this can induce persistent immune memory that could contribute to immunity. We performed a longitudinal assessment of individuals recovered from mild COVID-19 to determine whether they develop and sustain multifaceted SARS-CoV-2-specific immunological memory. Recovered individuals developed SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobulin (IgG) antibodies, neutralizing plasma, and memory B and memory T cells that persisted for at least 3 months. Our data further reveal that SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG memory B cells increased over time. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2-specific memory lymphocytes exhibited characteristics associated with potent antiviral function: memory T cells secreted cytokines and expanded upon antigen re-encounter, whereas memory B cells expressed receptors capable of neutralizing virus when expressed as monoclonal antibodies. Therefore, mild COVID-19 elicits memory lymphocytes that persist and display functional hallmarks of antiviral immunity.

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  1. Wajnberg A. Amanat F. Firpo A. Altman D. Bailey M. Mansour M. McMahon M. Meade P. Mendu D.R. Muellers K. SARS-CoV-2 infection induces robust, neutralizing antibody responses that are stable for at least three months medRxiv 2020 2020.2007.2014.20151126

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Authors
Rodda, L. B., Netland, J., Shehata, L., Pruner, K. B., Morawski, P. A., Thouvenel, C. D., Takehara, K. K., Eggenberger, J., Hemann, E. A., Waterman, H. R., Fahning, M. L., Chen, Y., Hale, M., Rathe, J., Stokes, C., Wrenn, S., Fiala, B., Carter, L., Hamerman, J. A., King, N. P., Gale, M., Campbell, D. J., Rawlings, D. J., & Pepper, M.
Affiliations
  • University of Washington (US)
  • Benaroya Research Institute (US)
Corresponding author
Pepper, Marion
Venue
Cell
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-01
Volume
184
Issue
1
Pages
169-183.e17
ISSN
0092-8674 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3107730772
Cited by
647
References
80
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 85 · 2022: 171 · 2021: 278 · 2020: 27
FWCI
18.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cell (publishedVersion)
  • medRxiv (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Burroughs Wellcome Fund
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune responses and vaccinations
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
Keywords
SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 pandemic, mild COVID-19, immunological memory, memory B cells, memory T cells, neutralizing antibodies, IgG, long-term immunity, cytokine production, monoclonal antibodies, antiviral immunity

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