Virus-specific T cells play essential roles in protection against multiple virus infections, including SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. While SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells have been identified in COVID-19 patients, their role in the protection of SARS-CoV-2-infected mice is not established. Here, using mice sensitized for infection with SARS-CoV-2 by transduction with an adenovirus expressing the human receptor (Ad5-hACE2), we identified SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell epitopes recognized by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Virus-specific T cells were polyfunctional and were able to lyse target cells in vivo. Further, type I interferon pathway was proved to be critical for generating optimal antiviral T cell responses after SARS-CoV-2 infection. T cell vaccination alone partially protected SARS-CoV-2-infected mice from severe disease. In addition, the results demonstrated cross-reactive T cell responses between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, but not MERS-CoV, in mice. Understanding the role of the T cell response will guide immunopathogenesis studies of COVID-19 and vaccine design and validation.
About The Expert
Zhen Zhuang
Xiaomin Lai
Jing Sun
Zhao Chen
Zhaoyong Zhang
Jun Dai
Donglan Liu
Yuming Li
Fang Li
Yanqun Wang
Airu Zhu
Junxiang Wang
Wenhui Yang
Jicheng Huang
Xiaobo Li
Lingfei Hu
Liyan Wen
Jianfen Zhuo
Yanjun Zhang
Dingbin Chen
Suxiang Li
Shuxiang Huang
Yongxia Shi
Kui Zheng
Nanshan Zhong
Jingxian Zhao
Dongsheng Zhou
Jincun Zhao
References
PubMed