Highly conserved, non-human-like, and cross-reactive SARS-CoV-2 T cell epitopes for COVID-19 vaccine design and validation.

ABSTRACT: Natural and vaccine-induced SARS-CoV-2 immunity in humans has been described but correlates of protection are not yet defined. T cells support the SARS-CoV-2 antibody response, clear virus-infected cells, and may be required to block transmission. In this study, we identified peptide epitopes associated with SARS-CoV-2 T-cell immunity. Using immunoinformatic methods, T-cell epitopes from spike, membrane, and envelope were selected for maximal HLA-binding potential, coverage of HLA diversity, coverage of circulating virus, and minimal potential cross-reactivity with self. Direct restimulation of PBMCs collected from SARS-CoV-2 convalescents confirmed 66% of predicted epitopes, whereas only 9% were confirmed in naive individuals. However, following a brief period of epitope-specific T-cell e

SUBMITTER: Meyers LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8119491 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature