Broad spectrum SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity in hospitalized First Nations peoples recovering from COVID-19

• Published in: Immunology & Cell Biology
• Main Authors: Zhang, W, Clemens, EB, Kedzierski, L, Chua, BY, Mayo, M, Lonzi, C, Hinchcliff, A, Rigas, V, Middleton, BF, Binks, P, Rowntree, LC, Allen, LF, Tan, H-X, Petersen, J, Chaurasia, P, Krammer, F, Wheatley, AK, Kent, SJ, Rossjohn, J, Miller, A, Lynar, S, Nelson, J, Nguyen, THO, Davies, J, Kedzierska, K
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: WILEY 2023
• Subjects: First Nations
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11343/339010

Indigenous peoples globally are at increased risk of COVID-19-associated morbidity and mortality. However, data that describe immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection in Indigenous populations are lacking. We evaluated immune responses in Australian First Nations peoples hospitalized with COVID-19. Our work comprehensively mapped out inflammatory, humoral and adaptive immune responses following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients were recruited early following the lifting of strict public health measures in the Northern Territory, Australia, between November 2021 and May 2022. Australian First Nations peoples recovering from COVID-19 showed increased levels of MCP-1 and IL-8 cytokines, IgG-antibodies against Delta-RBD and memory SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses prior to hospital discharge in comparison with hospital admission, with resolution of hyperactivated HLA-DR+ CD38+ T cells. SARS-CoV-2 infection elicited coordinated ASC, Tfh and CD8+ T cell responses in concert with CD4+ T cell responses. Delta and Omicron RBD-IgG, as well as Ancestral N-IgG antibodies, strongly correlated with Ancestral RBD-IgG antibodies and Spike-specific memory B cells. We provide evidence of broad and robust immune responses following SARS-CoV-2 infection in Indigenous peoples, resembling those of non-Indigenous COVID-19 hospitalized patients.