The role of T cells in COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the pathogen of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The global epidemic of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in recent years has posed a great threat to world health security. The interaction between the immune system and the virus is an important factor affecting the severity of clinical symptoms and prognosis of patients which has always been the focus of related research. As an important part of the body's adaptive immune response, T cells play an important role in all stages of COVID-19, including the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This article reviews the role of T cells in the prevention, control and clearance of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and provides ideas for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and the development of COVID-19 vaccines.