SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells exhibit unique features characterized by robust helper function, lack of terminal differentiation, and high proliferative potential.

Neidleman, Jason; Luo, Xiaoyu; Frouard, Julie; Xie, Guorui; Gurjot, Gill; Stein, Ellen S; McGregor, Matthew; Ma, Tongcui; George, Ashley F; Kosters, Astrid; Greene, Warner C; Vasquez, Joshua; Ghosn, Eliver; Lee, Sulggi; Roan, Nadia R

Convalescing COVID-19 patients mount robust T cell responses against SARS-CoV-2, suggesting an important role for T cells in viral clearance. To date, the phenotypes of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells remain poorly defined. Using 38-parameter CyTOF, we phenotyped longitudinal specimens of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from four individuals who recovered from mild COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cells were exclusively Th1 cells, and predominantly Tcm with phenotypic features of robust helper function. SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells were predominantly atypical Temra cells in a state of less terminal differentiation and therefore capable of expansion. Subsets of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells exhibit features of being long-lived and capable of homeostatic proliferation consistent with their persistence for over two months. Our results suggest that long-lived and robust T cell immunity is generated following natural SARS-CoV-2 infection, and support an important role for SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in host control of COVID-19.