Nirmatrelvir treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected mice blunts antiviral adaptive immune responses

ABSTRACT: Alongside vaccines, antiviral drugs are becoming an integral part of our response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Nirmatrelvir - an orally available inhibitor of the 3-chymotrypsin-like cysteine protease - has been shown to reduce the risk of progression to severe COVID-19. However, the impact of nirmatrelvir treatment on the development of SARS-CoV-2-specific adaptive immune responses is unknown. Here, by using mouse models of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we show that nirmatrelvir administration blunts the development of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody and T cell responses. Accordingly, upon secondary challenge, nirmatrelvir-treated mice recruited significantly fewer memory T and B cells to the infected lungs and to mediastinal lymph nodes, respectively. Together, the data highlight a potential negativ

SUBMITTER: Valeria Fumagalli 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_15252-EMMM_202317580 | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other