Journal article

Authors list: Palmowski, J; Kohnhorst, S; Bauer, P; Puta, C; Haunhorst, S; Gebhardt, K; Reichel, T; Keller, C; Huber, M; Raifer, H; Krüger, K

Publication year: 2023

Journal: Frontiers in Physiology

Volume number: 14

ISSN: 1664-042X

Open access status: Gold

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1203983

Publisher: Frontiers Media

Abstract: 
Guidelines for medical clearing after SARS-CoV-2 infection in elite athletes do not include T-cell immunity aspects despite its relevance in the course of COVID-19 disease. Therefore, we aimed to analyze T-cell-related cytokines before and after in-vitro activation of CD4⁺ T-cells. We sampled professional indoor sports athletes at medical clearing after SARS-CoV-2 infection obtaining clinical, fitness data, and serological data including CD4⁺ T-cell cytokines. All data were analyzed by principal component analysis and 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVA. CD4⁺ T-cells were sampled for cell culture activation with anti-CD3/anti-CD28 tetramers. At medical clearing, CD4⁺ T-cells from convalescent athletes secreted increased levels of TNF-α 72 h after in-vitro activation compared to vaccinated athletes. IL-18 levels in plasma were elevated and a cluster of parameters differentiated convalescent from vaccinated athletes by 13 parameters at the timepoint of medical clearing. All clinical data indicate infection is resolved, while increased TNF-α may reflect altered proportions of peripheral T-cells as a hangover of infection.

Harvard Citation style: Palmowski, J., Kohnhorst, S., Bauer, P., Puta, C., Haunhorst, S., Gebhardt, K., et al. (2023) T-cell-derived TNF-α and a cluster of immunological parameters from plasma allow a separation between SARS-CoV-2 convalescent versus vaccinated elite athletes, Frontiers in Physiology, 14, Article 1203983. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1203983

APA Citation style: Palmowski, J., Kohnhorst, S., Bauer, P., Puta, C., Haunhorst, S., Gebhardt, K., Reichel, T., Keller, C., Huber, M., Raifer, H., & Krüger, K. (2023). T-cell-derived TNF-α and a cluster of immunological parameters from plasma allow a separation between SARS-CoV-2 convalescent versus vaccinated elite athletes. Frontiers in Physiology. 14, Article 1203983. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1203983