Fuentes-Villalobos et al.
Mar 18, 2023
This study focuses on the immune response in COVID-19 outpatients, specifically examining the role of antibody-dependent natural killer (NK) cell functions during convalescence.
This study focuses on the immune response in mild COVID-19 outpatients, specifically examining the role of antibody-dependent natural killer (NK) cell functions during convalescence. The researchers measured various immune parameters, including antibody levels (IgA, IgM, IgG) against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, neutralization ability, and NK cell activation and degranulation.
Key findings:
Antibody Response: Most convalescent patients showed a rapid rise in IgA and sustained IgG responses to the spike protein, while IgM levels waned after the first six weeks.
NK Cell Functions: Mild disease cases exhibited stronger antibody-mediated NK cell activation and degranulation, with these functions being sustained up to six months post-symptom onset. Higher NK activity was linked to milder symptoms and more prominent in females.
Neutralization: Neutralizing antibody titers were higher in severe cases, particularly in males, while antibody-dependent NK cell functions were more strongly associated with mild cases.
Sex Differences: Females displayed more sustained NK functions during convalescence compared to males, who showed a higher neutralizing antibody response but lower NK activity over time.
The study emphasizes the importance of antibody-mediated NK cell functions, suggesting that these non-neutralizing functions might contribute to disease resolution and long-term immunity, particularly in those with milder symptoms. This highlights the need to consider both neutralizing and non-neutralizing antibody functions when assessing immunity and vaccine efficacy against COVID-19.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.796481/full