Rapid recall andde novoT cell responses during SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection

Abstract

Abstract While the protective role of neutralising antibodies against COVID-19 is well-established, questions remain about the relative importance of cellular immunity. Using 6 pMHC-multimers in a cohort with early and frequent sampling we define the phenotype and kinetics of recalled and primary T cell responses following Delta or Omicron breakthrough infection. Recall of spike-specific CD4 + T cells was rapid, with cellular proliferation and extensive activation evident as early as 1 day post-symptom onset. Similarly, spike-specific CD8 + T cells were rapidly activated but showed variable levels of expansion. Strikingly, high levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8 + T cell activation at baseline and peak were strongly correlated with reduced peak SARS-CoV-2 RNA levels in nasal swabs and accelerated clearance of virus. Our study demonstrates rapid and extensive recall of memory T cell populations occurs early after breakthrough infection and suggests that CD8 + T cells contribute to the control of viral replication in breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections.