A nonadjuvanted HLA-restricted peptide vaccine induced both T and B cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

Publication date: Sep 04, 2024

During COVID-19 pandemic, cases of postvaccination infections and restored SARS-CoV-2 virus have increased after full vaccination, which might be contributed to by immune surveillance escape or virus rebound. Here, artificial linear 9-mer human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-restricted UC peptides were designed based on the well-conserved S2 region of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein regardless of rapid mutation and glycosylation hindrance. The UC peptides were characterized for its effect on immune molecules and cells by HLA-tetramer refolding assay for HLA-binding ability, by HLA-tetramer specific T cell assay for engaged cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) involvement, by HLA-dextramer T cell assay for B cell activation, by intracellular cytokine release assay for polarization of immune response, Th1 or Th2. The specific lysis activity assay of T cells was performed for direct activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes by UC peptides. Mice were immunized for immunogenicity of UC peptides in vivo and immunized sera was assay for complement cytotoxicity assay. Results appeared that through the engagement of UC peptides and immune molecules, HLA-I and II, that CTLs elicited cytotoxic activity by recognizing SARS-CoV-2 spike-bearing cells and preferably secreting Th1 cytokines. The UC peptides also showed immunogenicity and generated a specific antibody in mice by both intramuscular injection and oral delivery without adjuvant formulation. In conclusion, a T-cell vaccine could provide long-lasting protection against SARS-CoV-2 either during reinfection or during SARS-CoV-2 rebound. Due to its ability to eradicate SARS-CoV-2 virus-infected cells, a COVID-19 T-cell vaccine might provide a solution to lower COVID-19 severity and long COVID-19.

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Concepts Keywords
Glycosylation Animals
Nonadjuvanted B-Lymphocytes
Postvaccination COVID-19
Vaccine COVID-19 Vaccines
Vivo COVID-19 Vaccines
Female
HLA Antigens
HLA Antigens
Humans
Mice
Protein Subunit Vaccines
Protein Subunit Vaccines
SARS-CoV-2
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
spike protein, SARS-CoV-2
T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic
Vaccines, Subunit
Vaccines, Subunit

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease IDO cell
disease MESH COVID-19 pandemic
disease MESH infections
disease IDO assay
pathway REACTOME Release
disease IDO immune response
disease MESH reinfection
disease MESH long COVID
drug DRUGBANK Coenzyme M
disease MESH syndrome
disease IDO protein
drug DRUGBANK Saquinavir
disease MESH virus infection
drug DRUGBANK Amino acids
disease MESH histocompatibility
disease IDO blood
drug DRUGBANK Proline
disease IDO production
disease MESH death
pathway REACTOME Digestion
drug DRUGBANK Isoxaflutole
disease MESH viral load
disease IDO infection
drug DRUGBANK Spinosad
drug DRUGBANK Adenosine 5′-phosphosulfate
drug DRUGBANK Biotin
drug DRUGBANK Phosphate ion
drug DRUGBANK Glycerin
drug DRUGBANK Polyethylene glycol
drug DRUGBANK Rasagiline
disease IDO infectivity
drug DRUGBANK Guanosine
pathway REACTOME Influenza Infection
disease MESH cancer
disease MESH breakthrough infections
disease MESH hepatitis
disease MESH glioblastoma
pathway REACTOME Reproduction

Original Article

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