Adaptive MHC-E restricted tissue-resident NK cells are associated with persistent low antigen load in alveolar macrophages after SARS-CoV-2 infection.

ABSTRACT: Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes with potent activity against a wide range of viruses. In SARS-CoV-2 infection, NK cell activity might be of particular importance within lung tissues. Here, we investigated whether NK cells with activity against Spike⁺ cells are induced during SARS-CoV-2 infection and have a role in modulating viral persistence beyond primary clearance from nasopharyngeal and tracheal tissues. We performed an integrated analysis of NK cells and macrophages in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) of COVID-19 convalescent non-human primates in comparison to uninfected control animals. SARS-CoV-2 protein expression was detected for at least 9-18 months post-infection in alveolar macrophages. Convalescent animals segregated into two groups b

SUBMITTER: Huot N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9094104 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature