Cell Rep
. 2021 Jun 11;109320.
doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109320. Online ahead of print.
Memory B cells targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and their dependence on CD4 + T cell help
Jernej Pušnik 1 , Enrico Richter 1 , Bianca Schulte 1 , Ramona Dolscheid-Pommerich 2 , Christian Bode 3 , Christian Putensen 3 , Gunther Hartmann 2 , Galit Alter 4 , Hendrik Streeck 5
Affiliations
- PMID: 34146478
- DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109320
Abstract
Memory B cells seem to be more durable than antibodies and thus crucial for the long-term immunity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Here we investigate SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific memory B cells and their dependence on CD4+ T cell help in different settings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Compared with severely ill individuals, those who recovered from mild COVID-19 develop fewer but functionally superior spike-specific memory B cells. Generation and affinity maturation of these cells is best associated with IL-21+CD4+ T cells in recovered individuals and CD40L+CD4+ T cells in severely ill individuals. The increased activation and exhaustion of memory B cells observed during COVID-19 correlates with CD4+ T cell functions. Intriguingly, CD4+ T cells recognizing membrane protein show a stronger association with spike-specific memory B cells than those recognizing spike or nucleocapsid proteins. Overall, we identify CD4+ T cell subsets associated with the generation of B cell memory during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Keywords: CD4(+) T cell; CD40L; COVID-19; IL-21; SARS-CoV-2; antibody; memory B cells; recovered; severely ill; spike.