Each Component of SARS-CoV-2 Immune Memory Exhibits Distinct Kinetics

Understanding immune memory to SARS-CoV-2 is critical for improving diagnostics and vaccines, and for assessing the likely future course of the pandemic, said researchers in a new, non-peer-reviewed study published on November 16, 2020. By analyzing antibody, memory B cell, CD4+ T cell, and CD8+ T cell memory to SARS-CoV-2 in an integrated manner, these researchers observed that each component of SARS-CoV-2 immune memory exhibited distinct kinetics.

They analyzed multiple compartments of circulating immune memory to SARS-CoV-2 in COVID-19 cases, including 41 cases at greater than 6 months postinfection. The Spike IgG was found to be relatively stable over 6+ months.

And, Spike-specific memory B cells were more abundant at 6 months than at 1 month. SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells declined with a half-life of 3-5 months.

This study indicates certain aspects of SARS-CoV-2 immunity can last up to 6-months.