"The Hidden Defense: Unveiling the Human Body's Secret Weapon Against SARS-CoV-2"

Scientists at the University of Oxford have discovered that a subset of HLA class I molecules, known as HLA-E, may hold the key to a covert immune response against SARS-CoV-2. HLA-E-restricted CD8+ T cells, which are capable of suppressing viral replication, were found to persist at a robust level in COVID-19 patients. This finding suggests that increasing the activity of HLA-E-restricted molecules could be exploited through a targeted vaccine, particularly for immunocompromised individuals. The study provides new insights into the HLA complex and its unique response during SARS-CoV-2 infection.