These three T cell antigens are: (i) Expressed by the early transcribed virus RTC region; (ii) Preferentially targeted by human cross-reactive memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells associated with protection of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients (i.e., unvaccinated individuals who never develop any COVID-19 symptoms despite being infected with SARS-CoV-2); and (iii) selectively targeted by lung-resident enriched memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from SARS-CoV-2 exposed seronegative individuals who were able to rapidly abort the virus replication (i.e., “SARS-CoV-2 aborters”)33, 34, 35, 36. Here, CD8A is linked to COVID-19.