1/ We’re pleased to contribute to this new @SciImmunology paper showing both T cell & antibody responses are important in #COVID19 immunity at 4 months post mild/asymptomatic infection @Imperialcollege @ucl @QMUL @QMULBartsTheLon @PHE_uk @royalfreeNHS

https://www.uk-cic.org/news/both-t-cell-and-antibody-responses-important-covid-19-immunity-4-months-post-infection

2/ Understanding how immunity to COVID-19 is generated in individuals who have experienced either mild or no symptoms is important in allowing us to know whether they are susceptible to reinfection.

3/ #UKCIC Theme Lead Prof Mala Maini @maini_lab and @Leo1401j worked with researchers from several institutes to analyse immune responses in a group of 136 healthcare workers, 76 of whom had mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 infection & a matched group of uninfected controls.

4/ When tested 4 months post infection, of the 76 people, 89% had neutralising antibodies in their blood, with high levels likely to correlate with functional protection found in 66%. This type of antibody stops the virus entering cells, potentially protecting against reinfection

5/ The majority also had a variety of T cells in their blood that could recognise different parts of the #SARSCoV2 virus. T cells help to direct effective antibody responses & provide a direct added layer of protection by removing any cells that the virus has managed to infect.

6/ There was also a complex pattern of immune responses between individuals. About 50% had mismatched antibody & T cell responses, suggesting these 2 arms of protective immunity can act in a complementary manner - some people showed T cell immunity but no antibodies & vice versa

7/ Nobody who has previously had COVID-19 should change their behaviour based on these findings. However they play an important part in increasing our understanding of #COVID19 immunology

9/ You can read the full @SciImmunology paper here https://immunology.sciencemag.org/content/5/54/eabf3698

And you can read the full news story about the study on our website, where you can also read about #UKCIC's 5 research themes and the researchers involved.

https://www.uk-cic.org/news/both-t-cell-and-antibody-responses-important-covid-19-immunity-4-months-post-infection

A huge thank you to the healthcare workers who volunteered to take part in this study and to all the researchers & funders