Some people’s immune systems are able to partially recognize the new coronavirus even if it has never fought it yet, a conundrum that could be explained by the circulation of common colds, according to a study.
Of 68 healthy participants whose blood was tested by researchers in Germany, one-third had immune cells that reacted to fragments of SARS-CoV-2 in the lab. And this, even if they have never caught COVID-19.
A suprise “
Scientists, affiliated in particular with the Charité University Hospital in Berlin, admit that this discovery was a “surprise” for them.
The immune cells in question are T helper lymphocytes, white blood cells sometimes called T-helper or TCD4 that play an important role in regulating the immune response of the human body.
According to the researchers, “the likely reason is that SARS-CoV-2 shares some structural similarities with the coronaviruses which are responsible for common colds.”
It is estimated that four coronaviruses are responsible for about 15 to 30% of common colds, which are generally harmless.
This would mean that some of the study participants had contracted one of these colds in the past and that their immune system had memorized information about them in order to better fight them in case of a second infection.
As the new coronavirus is from the same family – although much more complex and virulent – the “T-helper” cells would also have recognized it in part.
–
