Helminth exposure protects against murine SARS-CoV-2 infection through macrophage dependent T cell activation

• Published in: bioRxiv
• Main Authors: Hilligan, Kerry L, Oyesola, Oyebola O, Namasivayam, Sivaranjani, Howard, Nina, Clancy, Chad S, Oland, Sandra D, Garza, Nicole L, Lafont, Bernard A P, Johnson, Reed F, Mayer-Barber, Katrin D, Sher, Alan, Loke, P'ng
• Format: Paper
• Language: English
• Published: Cold Spring Harbor Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 10.11.2022
• Subjects: ACE2; Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2; Antigen presentation; Antiviral agents; CD8 antigen; Cell activation; COVID-19; Infections; Lymphocytes T; Macrophages; Morbidity; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Transgenic mice

Helminth endemic regions report lower COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Here, we show that lung remodeling from a prior infection with a lung migrating helminth, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, enhances viral clearance and survival of human-ACE2 transgenic mice challenged with SARS-CoV-2 (SCV2). This...