Hong Kong, Australian universities discover T cells effective to tackle Omicron

MB – Published January 4, 2022, 10:29 AM

HONG KONG – A research done by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the University of Melbourne has revealed that T cells, one of the body’s key defenses against COVID-19, are expected to be effective in mounting an immune response against Omicron, the HKUST announced on Monday.

A staff member tests the Omicron variant of COVID-19 at a laboratory in Gwangju, South Korea, on Dec. 29, 2021. (NEWSIS/Handout via Xinhua)

Published on Sunday in scientific journal Viruses, the team analyzed over 1,500 fragments of SARS-CoV-2’s viral proteins, called epitopes, that have been found to be recognized by T cells in recovered COVID-19 patients or after vaccination. The team’s findings suggested that Omicron is unlikely to be able to evade T cells.

Even if Omicron, or some other variant for that matter, can potentially escape antibodies, a robust T cell response can still be expected to offer protection and help to prevent significant illness, according to the research team.

The team anticipated that T cell responses elicited by vaccines and boosters will continue to help protect people against Omicron and other variants.

SOURCE: https://mb.com.ph/2022/01/04/hong-kong-australian-universities-discover-t-cells-effective-to-tackle-omicron/