Scientists from UC Davis have made a breakthrough in understanding the immune response of the human body to COVID-19 infection. Using a novel imaging technology called dynamic total-body positron emission tomography (PET), the researchers were able to capture the immune response in recovering patients, providing insights into long-term protection against re-infection.
The study, which was published in Science Advances, utilized the uEXPLORER total-body PET scanner, developed in collaboration with United Imaging Healthcare at UC Davis. This cutting-edge imaging technology involves injecting minute amounts of radiotracers into the patient and continuously imaging their distribution over time within the body. The data collected is then used for biologically-relevant analysis through mathematical models.
Compared to conventional PET systems, total-body PET scanners have significantly greater sensitivity and provide superior image quality. They also allow for the use of lower radiotracer doses. According to Negar Omidvari, assistant project scientist in the UC Davis Department of Biomedical Engineering, dynamic total-body PET is currently the only technology that enables noninvasive quantitative measurements of immune cell distribution and movement within all tissues in living humans.
In this study, three healthy individuals and five recovering COVID-19 patients were enrolled. Participants were injected with a radioactive liquid containing an immunoPET radiotracer and underwent a series of dynamic scans over specific time intervals. The researchers analyzed the radiotracer activity in both blood and non-blood tissue on PET images and used kinetic modeling to measure radiotracer uptake in tissues irrespective of imaging timing or individual participant blood variations.
The results revealed high CD8+ T cell uptake in the lymphoid organs of all participants, with the highest concentration in the spleen, followed by the bone marrow, liver, tonsils, and lymph nodes. Recovering COVID-19 patients showed increased CD8+ T cell concentrations in the bone marrow compared to healthy controls. These concentrations remained slightly higher at 6 months post-infection compared to around 2 months post-infection.
This research presents a promising platform for non-invasive, long-term assessment of T cell distribution throughout the entire human body. It has implications for studying immune memory, treatment response in cancer patients, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, transplant procedures, and therapeutic and vaccine development.
The groundbreaking study conducted by UC Davis scientists provides valuable insights into the immune response to COVID-19 infection and establishes a foundation for further research in understanding and combating viral infections.
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