AUTHOR=Yeo Joo Guan , Leong Jing Yao , Tay Shi Huan , Nadua Karen Donceras , Anderson Danielle E. , Lim Amanda Jin Mei , Ng Xiang Wen , Poh Su Li , Guo Dianyan , Yaung Katherine Nay , Kumar Pavanish , Wasser Martin , Hazirah Sharifah Nur , Sutamam Nursyuhadah , Chua Camillus Jian Hui , Qui Martin , Foo Randy , Gamage Akshamal Mihiranga , Yeo Kee Thai , Ramakrishna Lakshmi , Arkachaisri Thaschawee , Young Barnaby E. , Lye David Chien , Wang Lin-Fa , Chong Chia Yin , Tan Natalie Woon Hui , Li Jiahui , Kam Kai-Qian , Ginhoux Florent , Thoon Koh Cheng , Chan Jerry Kok Yen , Yung Chee Fu , Albani Salvatore 

TITLE=A Virus-Specific Immune Rheostat in the Immunome of Patients Recovering From Mild COVID-19

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2021.674279

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2021.674279

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>An accurate depiction of the convalescent COVID-19 immunome will help delineate the immunological milieu crucial for disease resolution and protection. Using mass cytometry, we characterized the immune architecture in patients recovering from mild COVID-19. We identified a virus-specific immune rheostat composed of an effector T (T<sub>eff</sub>) cell recall response that is balanced by the enrichment of a highly specialized regulatory T (T<sub>reg</sub>) cell subset. Both components were reactive against a peptide pool covering the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. We also observed expansion of IFNγ<sup>+</sup> memory CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells and virus-specific follicular helper T (T<sub>FH</sub>) cells. Overall, these findings pinpoint critical immune effector and regulatory mechanisms essential for a potent, yet harmless resolution of COVID-19 infection.</p>