The Role of T Cells and Innate Immunity in Long Term Immunity and Vaccine Development for COVID 9

Abstract

Coronaviruses are significant pathogens for humans. Our findings suggest that antibodies may not have a crucial role in long-term immunity against COVID-19, but T cells, a type of white blood cell, could play a critical role. T cells have long-term memory in the blood. Investigating mild cases of COVID19 in children is key to understanding the disease, as it may uncover important protective mechanisms and therapeutic targets. Children’s milder response to COVID-19 compared to adults suggests that children have a higher resistance to the virus due to their innate immune system. Our results indicate that phagocytes, a component of the innate immune system, play a significant role in eliminating COVID-19 in both mice and humans. We also found that CD4+ T cells activate B cells and play a crucial role in primary infections. Kids have higher levels of natural antibodies (IgM and IgG) compared to adult patients, and the number of γδ T cells increases both locally and systemically in kids with COVID-19, but decreases in adults with severe symptoms. Our observations have important implications for developing novel vaccines and therapies for COVID-19. To produce a vaccine, the following factors must be considered: 1) phagocytes, 2) natural antibodies, 3) T cells, and 4) white blood cells. The vaccine should be based on T cells instead of antibodies and should also boost the innate immune system, including phagocytes. A novel vaccine eliciting a protective immune response against SARS-Cov-2 is suggested.