Studies suggest T cells are important in fighting coronavirus

What it gives some people immunity of the new coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19?

Some scientists are studying whether it is the presence of antibodies. Others are studying a part of the human immune system, known as T cells, that can protect people from viruses.

Recent studies show that some recovered patients who performed the test negative for the coronavirus, the antibodies developed T cells in their immune systems. The reaction is believed to be the result of your COVID-19 infection. The studies are small and have not yet been confirmed by outside experts. However, some scientists now say that people who show few signs of new coronavirus disease, or show no signs, may be killing the infection with their T cells.

The findings add to the evidence that an effective COVID-19 vaccine will need to make T cells work, in addition to producing antibodies. This can also affect various treatments that are being developed. Recent findings may explain how immunity to the virus might work.

Dr. Alessandro Sette is studying the reaction to coronavirus at the Center for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases of the La Jolla Institute in California. He said there is mounting evidence that “people exposed the virus has a transient (short-lived) antibody reply, ”Or they have a T cell response without creating antibodies.

When a virus passes white blood cells that fight infection in the body, another defense reaction begins. It causes the production of cells that attack the invading virus. Defense includes antibodies that can identify the virus and block it, preventing it from entering a person’s cells. The body’s defense can also include T cells that can kill both invaders and infected cells.

How effective are the antibodies against the coronavirus?

The world has been in the COVID-19 outbreak for six months. The coronavirus has infected more than 12 million people. But scientists are not sure if the antibody reaction to the virus infection is strong or lasts over time. Some scientists think that this could mean that T cells do an important job of protecting humans from disease.

“T cells are often important in controlling viral infections. We are seeing evidence of that, ”John Wherry told Reuters. He is director of the Institute of Immunology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Reuters reports that a recent small French study, which has not yet been confirmed by experts, examined immunity in family members. It was found that six out of eight family members in close contact with relatives who had COVID-19 developed a T-cell response. Importantly, the tests did not show that they had antibodies to the coronavirus.

A Swedish study of about 200 people had similar results. He found a strong T-cell response in most people who had little or no signs of disease after coronavirus infection. T cells were present regardless of whether or not an antibody response was found.

Memories of coronavirus

Examining T-cell responses may also help explain long-term immunity.

There is some evidence that T cells developed after exposure to other coronaviruses that cause the common cold could help fight the new virus. The new virus is also known as SARS-CoV-2.

A study by the La Jolla Institute found T cells that reacted to SARS-CoV-2 in about half of the stored blood. samples harvested between 2015 and 2018. That could mean that previous infections with the common cold coronaviruses could help protect against the new virus.

“Is a potentially encouraging evidence, “Wherry said.

The current goal of COVID-19 vaccines is to create antibody and T cell responses. Recent findings suggest the importance of the T cell response in human medical testing.

“We believe that the optimum the vaccine design would be one with antibody and T cell response, “Sette said.

After an infection or vaccination, the immune system maintains a number of “memory” cells that are ready to quickly attack the same virus in the event of a future infection.

Many countries are using blood tests that look for antibodies to estimate how many people have been infected. But measuring “memory” T cells is much more difficult. It is also unclear which combination of immune system cells will result in the best protection against the virus.

“It is much easier to collect antibody data,” said Daniela Weiskopf. She is an assistant professor at the La Jolla Institute.

I’m Susan Shand

The Reuters News Agency reported this story. Susan Shand adapted it to learn English. Mario Ritter, Jr. It was the editor.

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Words in this story

mecommunity-north. not be affected by illness

negative–Adj. a bad reaction

exposed–Adj. be outdoors or available

reply-north. a response or reaction to something

shows-north. a trial amount

potentially–Adv. possibility

encouraging–Adj. a positive sign

optimum–Adj. In the best case