Push Admin

T cells induced by COVID-19 infection respond to new virus variants: U.S. study

Article (news)

Julie Steenhuysen, Reuters

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/news/03/31/covid-generic.jpg"/><figcaption>This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S. Virus particles are shown emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. The spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name, crown-like. Image captured and colorized at NIAID&#x27;s Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton, Montana. <em>Credit: NIAID</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>CHICAGO - A critical component of the immune system known as T cells that respond to fight infection from the original version of the novel coronavirus appear to also protect against three of the most concerning new virus variants, according to a U.S. laboratory study released on Tuesday. Several recent studies have shown that certain variants of the novel coronavirus can undermine immune protection from antibodies and vaccines.</p><p>But antibodies - which block the coronavirus from attaching to human cells - may not tell the whole story, according to the study by researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). T cells appear to play an important additionally protective role.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/22/21/uk-south-african-variant-cases-present-in-all-metro-manila-cities-doh">UK, South African variant cases present in all Metro Manila cities: DOH</a></li></ul><p>&quot;Our data, as well as the results from other groups, shows that the T cell response to COVID-19 in individuals infected with the initial viral variants appears to fully recognize the major new variants identified in the UK, South Africa and Brazil,&quot; said Andrew Redd of the NIAID and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine who led the study.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1648237" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>The researchers analyzed blood from 30 people who had recovered from COVID-19 before the emergence of the new more contagious variants.</p><p>From those samples, they identified a specific form of T cell that was active against the virus, and looked to see how these T cells fared against the concerning variants from South Africa, the UK and Brazil.</p><p>They found the T-cell responses remained largely intact and could recognize virtually all mutations in the variants studied.</p><p>The findings add to a prior study that also suggested T cell protection appears to remain intact against the variants.</p><p>The NIAID researchers said larger studies are needed to confirm the findings. Continued monitoring for variants that escape both antibody and T cell protection is needed, Redd said.</p><p>The paper has been accepted for publication in Open Forum Infectious Diseases but has yet to be peer reviewed.<strong> (Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen Editing by Bill Berkrot)</strong></p>

<p>CHICAGO - A critical component of the immune system known as T cells that respond to fight infection from the original version of the novel coronavirus appear to also protect against three of the most concerning new virus variants, according to a U.S. laboratory study released on Tuesday. Several recent studies have shown that certain variants of the novel coronavirus can undermine immune protection from antibodies and vaccines.</p>

CHICAGO - A critical component of the immune system known as T cells that respond to fight infection from the original version of the novel coronavirus appear to also protect against three of the most concerning new virus variants, according to a U.S. laboratory study released on Tuesday. Several recent studies have shown that certain variants of the novel coronavirus can undermine immune protection from antibodies and vaccines.

T cells induced by COVID-19 infection respond to new virus variants: U.S. study

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Overseas

T cells induced by COVID-19 infection respond to new virus variants: U.S. study

Julie Steenhuysen,

Reuters

Published March 31, 2021 07:18 AM PHT

Read More:

t cells

covid-19

coronavirus

ANC

pandemic

health

coronavirus vaccine

covid-19 vaccine

antibodies

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.