Andrey Velichkov

Dr. Andrey Velichkov


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 April 2026 in Immunology Letters
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
AVAndrey Velichkov
Andrey Velichkov
RSRumyana I. Susurkova
Rumyana I. Susurkova
ATAngelina I. Trifonova
Angelina I. Trifonova
MPMartin D. Pasev
Martin D. Pasev
ETEkaterina Alexandrova Tosheva
Ekaterina Alexandrova Tosheva
VTVelislava I. Terzieva
Velislava I. Terzieva
Studies of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed differences in the clinical course between paediatric and adult patients. In-depth research on whether T follicular cells support these observations is still ongoing. Circulating Tfh and Tfr cells were examined to identify specific immune responses in paediatric and adult individuals who recovered from asymptomatic to mild SARS-CoV-2 infection. Circulating Tfh and Tfr cells were evaluated by flow cytometry. To evaluate specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune responses, anti-Spike RBD IgG antibodies were measured by an enzyme-linked fluorescent assay, anti-Spike neutralizing activity - by an in vitro cell-based assay, and IFN-γ T cell responses were evaluated via ELISpot assay. Age-specific differences in the profiles of the CXCR5+CD4+ T cells that distinguish them from CXCR5- counterparts were detected. An increased percentage of cTfr cells and decreased percentage of cTfh cells was observed in the paediatric group, which resulted in a decreased cTfh/cTfr ratio. Increased proportions of ICOS- and HLA-DR-expressing cTfh and cTfr cells were also observed, consistent with the high proportion of antibody-responders among children. In contrast, a greater percentage of adults than children exhibited IFN-γ-positive T cells in response to the four viral peptides. In adult responders, a good correlation was found between the presence of plasmablasts and the cTfh/cTfr ratio. Antibody neutralizing capacity did not differ between children and adults. Circulating Tfh and Tfr cells exhibit specific age-dependent differences, which may contribute to the immunologic background of the clinical symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection.