SARS-CoV-2 induces robust germinal center CD4 T follicular helper cell responses in rhesus macaques

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

CD4 T follicular helper (T fh ) cells are important for the generation of durable and specific humoral protection against viral infections. The degree to which SARS-CoV-2 infection generates T fh cells and stimulates the germinal center (GC) response is an important question as we investigate vaccine induced immunity against COVID-19. Here, we report that SARS-CoV-2 infection in rhesus macaques, either infused with convalescent plasma, normal plasma, or receiving no infusion, resulted in transient accumulation of pro-inflammatory monocytes and proliferating T fh cells with a T h 1 profile in peripheral blood. CD4 helper cell responses skewed predominantly toward a T h 1 response in blood, lung, and lymph nodes. SARS-CoV-2 Infection induced GC T fh cells specific for the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins, and a corresponding early appearance of antiviral serum IgG antibodies. Collectively, the data show induction of GC responses in a rhesus model of mild COVID-19.