Ma Y, Liu F, Li B, Peng K, Zhou H, Xu Y, Qiao D, Deng L, Tian G, Nielsen M, Wang M. Identification and assessment of TCR-T cells targeting an epitope conserved in SARS-CoV-2 variants for the treatment of COVID-19.
Int Immunopharmacol 2022;
112:109283. [PMID:
36201943 PMCID:
PMC9515335 DOI:
10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109283]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to be a major global public health challenge, with the emergence of variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Current vaccines or monoclonal antibodies may not well be protect against infection with new SARS-CoV-2 variants. Unlike antibody-based treatment, T cell-based therapies such as TCR-T cells can target epitopes that are highly conserved across different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Reportedly, T cell-based immunity alone can restrict SARS-CoV-2 replication.
Methods
In this study, we identified two TCRs targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) protein in CD8 + T cells. Functional evaluation by transducing these TCRs into CD8 + or CD4 + T cells confirmed their specificity.
Results
Combinations of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines secreted by CD8 + and CD4 + T cells can help control COVID-19 in patients. Moreover, the targeted epitope is highly conserved in all emerged SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the Omicron. It is also conserved in the seven coronaviruses that infect humans and more broadly in the subfamily Coronavirinae.
Conclusions
The pan-genera coverage of mutant epitopes from the Coronavirinae subfamily by the two TCRs highlights the unique strengths of TCR-T cell therapies in controlling the ongoing pandemic and in preparing for the next coronavirus outbreak.
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