Long-lasting Response of Human Circulating T-follicular Helper Cells (cTfh) To Post SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Immunization
Published: 2024-11-13
Page: 228-246
Issue: 2024 - Volume 7 [Issue 1]
Sandhya Shukla
Department of Pharmacology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Medical College, Pune-411043, India.
Arvind Kumar Shukla *
School of Biomedical Convergence Engineering, Pusan National University, Yangsan-50612, South Korea.
Navin Ray
Laboratory of Mucosal Exposome and Biomodulation, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Pusan National University, Yangsan-50612, South Korea.
Adarsha Mahendra Upadhyay
Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, School of Overseas Education, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou-550025, China.
Giovanna Mirone
Department of Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli; via Vivaldi 43, Caserta-81100, Italy.
Raj Kumar Mongre
Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic underscores the urgent need for effective vaccination strategies to mitigate disease burden. The development of neutralizing antibodies is a critical indicator of host defence mechanisms against life-threatening infectious diseases, such as those caused by SARS-CoV-2. Understanding the fundamental biological mechanisms and substantiality of these antibodies' production is essential for developing effective vaccines, particularly in the face of emerging variants. Circulating T follicular helper (cTfh) cells, which have emerged as significant predictors of neutralizing antibody levels, are of utmost importance in shaping long-term immunity following vaccination. We emphasize the pivotal role of cTfh cells in shaping long-term immunity, providing reassurance about the effectiveness of vaccines. In this study, we elucidate the functions of cTfh cells and their lymphoid counterparts during immune responses to SARS-CoV-2, particularly in the context of spike protein vaccination. We explore the phenotypic diversity of cTfh cells and their potential as biomarkers for development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine efficacy with long-lasting immunity. The identification of specific cTfh subgroups may inform strategies for enhancing vaccine responses, especially concerning new SARS-CoV-2 variant-specific vaccines. Future research directions will focus on harnessing the predictive capabilities of cTfh cells to optimize vaccine development and improve immunological outcomes against evolving SARS-CoV-2 strains.
Keywords: T follicular helper cells, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, CD4 T cells