T cells possible cure for COVID-19, study shows

Several researchers from the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in California have released a study on the possibility that T cells may be the key in defeating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to a report on "Stand for Truth," the researchers observed that 10 patients with severe COVID-19 produced T cells which helped defeat the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

They also observed that asymptomatic individuals and those with moderate symptoms have a strong T cell response.

A T cell is a kind of lymphocyte or white blood cell that is part of our immune system.  Based on the patients, the researchers found that the T cell destroyed the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2, which it uses to enter the host cell and multiply.

The chairperson of the Department of Microbiology of the University of the Philippines said that the findings are important for those developing a vaccine for the virus.

"With this study they're just proving that the T cells will be able to also contribute in recognizing the antigen or the COVID-19 just in case it will be, as part of the vaccine immunity," Dr. Maria Margarita Lota said.

"So these T cells will recognize this antigens, particular proteins that will be presented to them as foreign, and then they will start to produce chemicals. They will start to alarm, set an alarm, signal the B cells, other immune cells of the body that can actually attack this antigen," she added.

There are also instances where the decreasing number of T cells in the body is the cause for the worsening condition of a COVID-positive patient.

"What happens in COVID is bumababa 'yung lymphocytes mo. So kapag bumababa siya, anong panglaban mo sa virus? Kaya tuloy, a lof of these patients who go into severe COVID-19 infection or severe infection... kasi sa sobrang baba ng kanilang lymphocytes," she said.

Watch the video to know more. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News