Preprint Distinct T cell functional profiles in SARS-CoV-2 seropositive and seronegative children associated with endemic human coronavirus cross-reactivity

Distinct T cell functional profiles in SARS-CoV-2 seropositive and seronegative children associated with endemic human coronavirus cross-reactivity
Ntombi S.B. Benede; Marius B Tincho; Avril Walters; Vennesa Subbiah; Amkele Ngomti; Richard Baguma; Claire Butters; Mathilda Mennen; Sango Skelem; Marguerite Adriaanse; Strauss van Graan; Sashkia R. Balla; Thandeka Moyo-Gwete; Penny L. Moore; Maresa Botha; Lesley Workman; Heather J. Zar; Ntobeko A. B. Ntusi; Liesl Zühlke; Kate Webb; Catherine Riou; Wendy A Burgers; Roanne S Keeton

SARS-CoV-2 infection in children typically results in asymptomatic or mild disease. There is a paucity of studies on antiviral immunity in African children. We investigated SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses in 71 unvaccinated asymptomatic South African children who were seropositive or seronegative for SARS-CoV-2.

SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cell responses were detectable in 83% of seropositive and 60% of seronegative children. Although the magnitude of the CD4+ T cell response did not differ significantly between the two groups, their functional profiles were distinct, with SARS-CoV-2 seropositive children exhibiting a higher proportion of polyfunctional T cells compared to their seronegative counterparts.

The frequency of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ T cells in seronegative children was associated with the endemic human coronavirus (HCoV) HKU1 IgG response.

Overall, the presence of SARS-CoV-2-responding T cells in seronegative children may result from cross-reactivity to endemic coronaviruses and could contribute to the relative protection from disease observed in SARS-CoV-2-infected children.

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