COVID-19 Immunity Research at Mass General Brigham

Duane Wesemann, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Associate Physician, Brigham and Women’s Hospital. It is relatively well-known that the immune system produces antibodies in response to COVID-19 infection, but how long these antibody responses last continues to be unclear, and the heterogeneity of immune responses to COVID-19 makes it difficult to develop predictive models. Dr. Wesemann discusses his laboratory’s efforts to understand the features that influence the magnitude and durability of the antibody response to the virus that causes COVID-19, namely, SARS-CoV-2. Emerging data suggests that there are individuals who are capable of both clearing the infection quickly and developing a durable anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody response. Analysis of the cells that make and regulate antibody production provide clues into what may influence immune durability. Dr. Weseman discusses these findings and invites an open discussion to help advance the knowledge around meaningful treatment strategies for COVID-19 cases.