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SARS-CoV-2-specific memory B cells can persist in the elderly despite loss of neutralising antibodies
Preprint
in En
| PREPRINT-BIORXIV
| ID: ppbiorxiv-446322
ABSTRACT
Memory B cells (MBC) can provide a recall response able to supplement waning antibodies with an affinity-matured response better able to neutralise variant viruses. We studied a cohort of vulnerable elderly care home residents and younger staff, a high proportion of whom had lost neutralising antibodies (nAb), to investigate their reserve immunity from SARS-CoV-2-specific MBC. Class-switched spike and RBD-tetramer-binding MBC with a classical phenotype persisted five months post-mild/asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, irrespective of age. Spike/RBD-specific MBC remained detectable in the majority who had lost nAb, although at lower frequencies and with a reduced IgG/IgA isotype ratio. Functional spike/S1/RBD-specific recall was also detectable by ELISpot in some who had lost nAb, but was significantly impaired in the elderly, particularly to RBD. Our findings demonstrate persistence of SARS-CoV-2-specific MBC beyond loss of nAb, but highlight the need for careful monitoring of functional defects in RBD-specific B cell immunity in the elderly. One sentence summaryCirculating class-switched spike and RBD-specific memory B cells can outlast detectable neutralising antibodies but are functionally constrained in the elderly.
cc_by_nc_nd
Full text:
1
Collection:
09-preprints
Database:
PREPRINT-BIORXIV
Type of study:
Cohort_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Language:
En
Year:
2021
Document type:
Preprint