It has been four years since the outbreak of a virus turned the world upside down. In total, it is estimated that during this period the pathogen responsible for covid-19 has caused millions and millions of infections around the world. Especially after the appearance of the omicron variant and its successive lineages, which caused the largest explosion of infections of the pandemic. But, according to a study published this Friday in the journal ‘Science Immunology’, the virus is not the only one that mutates to adapt. An analysis by a team of South Korean scientists suggests that the human immune system is also adapting to deal with the new variants of covid-19. “We could be facing a enhanced immunity mechanism“say the experts.
The research focused on a group of patients who were infected with the omicron BA.2 variant in early 2022 (also popularly known as silent or stealthy omicron). Through an analysis of their blood, scientists studied the functioning of their T cells (one of the key tools of the immune system to deal with an infection). On the one hand, the production of cytokines was measured and, on the other, the antiviral activity of lymphocytes against different proteins of later variants of covid-19 (among which, for example, some of the most infectious detected so far stand out. ).
“By suffering an omicron infection, the immune system is strengthened to fight future strains of the same virus”
The result? According to the team of researchers led by immunologist Eui-Cheol Sin, the T cells from infected patients due to the BA.2 variant of Omicron, they are not only able to respond more effectively to this lineage but, in addition, they also react more forcefully to later variants such as BA.4 and BA.5 (two of the most contagious mutations detected throughout the covid-19 pandemic). “Everything indicates that when suffering from an omicron infection, the immune system of these patients was strengthened to combat future strains of the same virus,” comment the experts who have led this analysis.
Protection against serious symptoms
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The analyzes suggest that the immune system could be ‘strengthened’ after exposure to a very specific protein present in the ‘spike’ of the omicron virus. This is what would eventually accelerate the body’s immune response to future infections. In this sense, scientists argue that “once a person suffers from an omicron infection, it is unlikely that ever suffer severe symptoms of covid-19 due to future emerging variants.” The only exception would be, once again, groups especially vulnerable to the virus and patients with chronic pathologies.
“Our bodies have also adapted to the constant appearance of new variants of the virus”
Scientific
“This finding gives us new perspectives in the new endemic era of covid-19,” explains researcher Jung Min Kyung, one of the experts who has led this research work. “Now we know that our bodies have also adapted to the constant appearance of new variants of the virus and that they are more prepared to fight future infections,” adds this specialist. Immunologist Shin Eui-Cheol, for his part, also remembers that these findings could be key to the development of new vaccinesmore robust and effective, to protect patients especially vulnerable to covid-19 infections.