Virus-specific CD8⁺ T Cells in the Human Nasal Cavity

Dr. Nina Le Bert describes SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in the human nasal cavity, using simple nasal swabs to study tissue-resident immune responses. The study finds that nasal T cells are mainly tissue-resident, antigen-specific, and show distinct immunodominance compared to blood, with local infection required for their induction. It also reveals that some virus-specific T cells persist longer in the nasal cavity than in blood, but maintaining them may require ongoing exposure. These findings provide new insights into local respiratory immunity and the role of T cells in infection and vaccination.