The goal of vaccination is to achieve long-lasting protection through the development of antigen-specific memory cells. Current COVID-19 vaccines induce good early immune responses, but are sub-optimal in the maintenance phase, resulting in short- but not long-term protection. Dr. Kung, John, research fellow in the Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, identified hepatic stellate cell as the cell capable of sustaining memory CD8+ T cells survival and functionality indefinitely. He conclude that the liver, the largest organ of our body, contributes significantly to memory CD8+ T cell longevity; these findings have significant implications for vaccine development. This study was published in Hepatology.

Article link: https://aasldpubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hep.32788