Journal Article

DKFZ-2025-01450

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Longitudinal analysis of humoral and cellular immunity in SARS-CoV-2 exposed families.

Dulovic, A. ; Rabsteyn, A.DKFZ* ; Remppis, J. ; Gentzcke, I. K. E. ; Mueller, J. ; Tuecks, N. ; Becker, M. ; Junker, D. ; Kaiser, P. D. ; Traenkle, B. ; Rothbauer, U. ; Walz, J. S.DKFZ* ; Peter, A. ; Hörber, S. ; Ganzenmueller, T. ; Iftner, T. ; Stich, M.DKFZ* ; Tönshoff, B. ; Henneke, P. ; Elling, R. ; Debatin, K.-M. ; Janda, A. ; Schneiderhan-Marra, N. ; Franz, A. R. ; Lang, P.DKFZ* ; Renk, H.

2025
Springer Nature [London]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41598-025-07739-3

Abstract: Identification of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection typically relies on serology, yet T-cells play a key role in the adaptive immune response against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we investigated in parallel the SARS-CoV-2-specific as well as endemic human coronavirus-specific humoral and cross-reactive cellular responses in children and adults. We analyzed clinical data and blood samples from a family cohort of 96 children and 144 adults at 3-4 and 11-12 months after their first contact with SARS-CoV-2. Humoral response was assessed by a multiplex immunoassay with high sensitivity and specificity (MULTICOV-AB). Cellular responses were analyzed by IFN-γ ELISPOT using four different established epitope compositions (ECs) to discriminate between SARS-CoV-2 specific and HCoV cross-reactive T-cell responses. While the majority of adults had a combined serological and T-cell response, relatively more children had a T-cell response alone rather than a combined response. The magnitude of the T-cell response correlated with symptoms and the humoral response. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly boosted the endemic coronavirus-specific cellular response. Overall, our data suggest discordant humoral and cellular responses, reflecting either abortive infection, cellular sensitization with rapid viral clearance or rapid antibody waning or a combination of these phenomena. Restricting epidemiologic analysis to SARS-CoV-2 serological data may underestimate rates of infection with or at least exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in children.

Keyword(s): Humans (MeSH) ; COVID-19: immunology (MeSH) ; Immunity, Humoral (MeSH) ; SARS-CoV-2: immunology (MeSH) ; Adult (MeSH) ; Immunity, Cellular (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Female (MeSH) ; Child (MeSH) ; Longitudinal Studies (MeSH) ; Antibodies, Viral: blood (MeSH) ; Antibodies, Viral: immunology (MeSH) ; Middle Aged (MeSH) ; Child, Preschool (MeSH) ; T-Lymphocytes: immunology (MeSH) ; Adolescent (MeSH) ; Young Adult (MeSH) ; Infant (MeSH) ; Cross Reactions (MeSH) ; Antibodies, Viral

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. DKTK Koordinierungsstelle Tübingen (TU01)
2. Virus-assoziierte Karzinogenese (D430)

Research Program(s):

1. 314 - Immunologie und Krebs (POF4-314) (POF4-314)

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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