Cutting Edge: SARS-CoV-2 Infection Induces Robust Germinal Center Activity in the Human Tonsil

Understanding the generation of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in lymphoid tissues draining the site of infection has implications for immunity to SARS-CoV-2. We performed tonsil biopsies under local anesthesia in 19 subjects who had recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection 24-225 d previously. The biopsies yiel...

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Published in:The Journal of immunology (1950) Vol. 208; no. 10; p. 2267
Main Authors: Tan, Hyon-Xhi, Wragg, Kathleen M, Kelly, Hannah G, Esterbauer, Robyn, Dixon, Benjamin J, Lau, Jillian S Y, Flanagan, Katie L, van de Sandt, Carolien E, Kedzierska, Katherine, McMahon, James H, Wheatley, Adam K, Juno, Jennifer A, Kent, Stephen J
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States 15.05.2022
Subjects:
Antibodies, Viral
COVID-19
Germinal Center
Humans
Palatine Tonsil
SARS-CoV-2
T Follicular Helper Cells
ISSN:1550-6606, 1550-6606
Online Access:Get more information
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Summary:Understanding the generation of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in lymphoid tissues draining the site of infection has implications for immunity to SARS-CoV-2. We performed tonsil biopsies under local anesthesia in 19 subjects who had recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection 24-225 d previously. The biopsies yielded >3 million cells for flow cytometric analysis in 17 subjects. Total and SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific germinal center B cells, and T follicular helper cells, were readily detectable in human tonsils early after SARS-CoV-2 infection, as assessed by flow cytometry. Responses were higher in samples within 2 mo of infection but still detectable in some subjects out to 7 mo following infection. We conclude the tonsils are a secondary lymphoid organ that develop germinal center responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and could play a role in the long-term development of immunity.
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ISSN:1550-6606
1550-6606
DOI:10.4049/jimmunol.2101199