Will a common cold protect us from COVID-19? The latest research shows that it is possible

Probably we all had a cold, and each infection, even mild, triggered a reaction of the immune system. Now it turns out that thanks to this, we can gain protection against the coronavirus. In addition, researchers at the University of Rochester argue that resistance to COVID-19 can be long-term. It will probably last a lifetime.

1. A team of researchers at the University of Rochester compared blood samples from 26 people who had mild or moderate COVID-19 with samples taken several years ago from 21 healthy people
2. Many survivors have a pool of B-type memory cells that recognize SARS-CoV-2 and rapidly produce antibodies.
3. Memory B cells most likely do not distinguish Spike S2 ​​protein subunits from different coronaviruses and attack them the same
4. Scientists who have not had contact with SARS-CoV-2 in the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain and Singapore have come to similar conclusions.
5. For more up-to-date information on the coronavirus, please visit the TvoiLokony home page

Coronavirus: Many survivors have long-lived Type B memory cells

American specialists in infectious diseases indicate that the virus that causes COVID-19 activates type B memory cells. They are responsible for detecting the pathogen and producing antibodies that are to remember it and destroy it in the future. When the same pathogen attacks our body again, B memory cells will step into action faster and neutralize the infection before it can develop. Because they can survive for decades, they will protect those who have had COVID-19 from further infections for a long time.

Scientists published the results of their research in the bimonthly “mBio”, which is a peer-reviewed scientific journal in the field of microbiology. At the same time, they emphasized that they had to confirm them in the course of further works.

“When we looked at the healed blood samples, it was revealed that many had a pool of type B memory cells that recognized SARS-CoV-2 and produced antibodies quickly,” said lead author Dr. Mark Sangster, professor of microbiology and immunology at URMC.

Sangster’s findings are based on a comparison of the blood samples of 26 people who had mild or moderate COVID-19 with samples taken 6 to 10 years ago from 21 healthy subjects. Scientists measured the levels of memory B cells and antibodies to specific proteins (Spike), common to all coronaviruses and crucial in the process of infecting cells.

Memory B cells attack proteins from different coronaviruses in the same way

The study also includes an in-depth look at the cross-reactivity mechanism of type B memory cells. If they have dealt with the common cold coronavirus in the past, they will also recognize SARS-CoV-2. This could mean that anyone infected with the common coronavirus is somewhat immune to COVID-19.

The Spike protein of different types of coronaviruses looks and works slightly differently. However, one component of it, the S2 subunit, is almost identical for all viruses. Memory B cells most likely do not distinguish between the Spike S2 ​​subunits of different coronaviruses and attack them the same way. This was the case for beta-coronaviruses, a subclass that includes the two viruses that cause the common cold, as well as SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2.

At the same time, the study did not identify the level of protection provided by cross-reactive memory B lymphocytes and its impact on treatment outcomes.

– This will be our next step – scientists from URMC agree. “ We need to see if the generation of memory B cells as a result of a cold results in milder symptoms and a shorter course of COVID-19. Can it also increase the effectiveness of vaccines.

We can find similar suggestions in an earlier study at the American La Jolla Institute for Immunology. Professor Alessandro Sette analyzed memory T cells from 10 people who had never been exposed to SARS-CoV-2. They found that their immune system can produce memory T cells that respond to both SARS-CoV-2 and four other types of coronaviruses that cause the common cold. According to Sette, this T-cell response makes it possible to fight infection much faster and better.

This phenomenon was also observed in some of the respondents from the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain and Singapore. For example, of the 68 Germans surveyed who never had COVID-19, more than a third had lymphocytes that reacted to the virus. Another study published in the journal Nature found that more than half of a group of 37 healthy people who had never had COVID-19 had T cells capable of recognizing the new coronavirus.

In the prevention of COVID-19, let’s not forget about disinfecting hands and surfaces. It is worth using the Naturaphy brand products that you can buy on Medonet Market:

1. Antibacterial hand disinfection gel with olive scent,
2. Antibacterial hand disinfection gel with the scent of lavender,
3. Antibacterial hand disinfection gel with the scent of forest fruit,
4. Antibacterial hand disinfection gel with the scent of melon,
5. Spray for surface disinfection – 75% alcohol.

See also:

1. The COVID-19 epidemic in September: records, new restrictions and a change of strategy in the fight against the pandemic
2. Has Sweden defeated the coronavirus? Scientists say that the country has already achieved population immunity
3. The quiet spread of COVID-19. There are new findings
4. Coronavirus: Norway is relaxing epidemic restrictions

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