Immunological memory after cured Sars-CoV-2 infection
Study by scientists from the Medical Center - University of Freiburg published in Nature Medicine / Findings give hope for vaccine development
Until now, it was unclear whether a survivedSARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 disease leads to a lasting immunological memory and can therefore protect against re-infection. Several studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies are only detectable for a few months in many people who have recovered from COVID-19 and may therefore only provide temporary protection against re-infection. A team of researchers at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg led by Dr. Maike Hofmann, Dr. Christoph Neumann-Haefelin and Prof. Dr. Robert Thimme has now been able to show this: After a SARS-CoV-2 infection, immune cells are formed that remain in the body and could mediate a rapid immune response in the event of a new infection. The Freiburg study was published in the online edition of the renowned journal Nature Medicine on November 12, 2020.
"After a SARS-CoV-2 infection, these so-called memory T cells look similar to memory T cells after a real flu. We are therefore confident that the majority of people who have survived a SARS-CoV-2 infection have some protection against a recurrence of COVID-19," explains Dr. Hofmann, a scientist at the Department of Medicine II at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. Hofmann is supported by the Margarete von Wrangell Habilitation Program for Women of the State of Baden-Württemberg, among others.
Prof. Thimme, Medical Director of the Department of Medicine II, emphasizes how important a good translational research environment like the one at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg is in the current situation: "In order to achieve reliable research results within a few months, close networking between the clinic and science at the highest level is a basic prerequisite: On the one hand, patients with COVID-19 disease are treated on our wards and continue to be cared for in a special outpatient clinic even after the infection has healed. Secondly, our clinic has extensive expertise in the analysis of immune cells in viral infections such as hepatitis B and C."
The Medical Center - University of Freiburg is not involved in the development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. However, Dr. Neumann-Haefelin, head of the Gerok Liver Center at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, is optimistic: "Our results suggest that immunity against SARS-CoV-2 can be achieved after an infection. Similarly, vaccines that are currently being tested in trials could also provide significant protection against SARS-CoV-2."
"Deciphering complex immune responses has long been a focus of research at the University of Freiburg and the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. Thanks to the high scientific quality at the site, we can now make an important contribution to the corona pandemic," says Prof. Dr. Norbert Südkamp, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg.
This translational research on viral infections is funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg, two Collaborative Research Centres of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and "Clinician Scientist" programs of various foundations, among others.
Original title of the study: Characterization of pre-existing and induced SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells
DOI: 10.1038/s41591-020-01143-2
Link to the study: www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-01143-2
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Robert Thimme
Medical Director
Department of Medicine II
Medical Center - University of Freiburg
Phone: 0761 270-34040
robert.thimme@uniklinik-freiburg.de
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