scholarly journals Profound CD8 T cell responses towards the SARS-CoV-2 ORF1ab in COVID-19 patients

Author(s):  
Anastasia Gangaev ◽  
Steven L. C. Ketelaars ◽  
Sanne Patiwael ◽  
Anna Dopler ◽  
Olga I. Isaeva ◽  
...  

Abstract A large global effort is currently ongoing to develop vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19. While there is accumulating evidence on the antibody response against SARS-CoV-2, little is known about the SARS-CoV-2 antigens that are targeted by CD8 T cells. To address this issue, we have analyzed samples from 20 COVID-19 patients for T cell recognition of 500 predicted MHC class I epitopes. CD8 T cell reactivity against SARS-CoV- 2 was common. Remarkably, a substantial fraction of the observed CD8 T cell responses were directed towards the ORF1ab polyprotein 1ab, and these CD8 T cell responses were frequently of a very high magnitude. The fact that a major part of the SARS-CoV-2 specific CD8 T cell response is directed against a part of the viral genome that is not included in the majority of vaccine candidates currently in development may potentially influence their clinical activity and toxicity profile.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Tarke ◽  
John Sidney ◽  
Nils Methot ◽  
Yun Zhang ◽  
Jennifer M Dan ◽  
...  

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants highlighted the need to better understand adaptive immune responses to this virus. It is important to address whether also CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses are affected, because of the role they play in disease resolution and modulation of COVID-19 disease severity. Here we performed a comprehensive analysis of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses from COVID-19 convalescent subjects recognizing the ancestral strain, compared to variant lineages B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, and CAL.20C as well as recipients of the Moderna (mRNA-1273) or Pfizer/BioNTech (BNT162b2) COVID-19 vaccines. Similarly, we demonstrate that the sequences of the vast majority of SARS-CoV-2 T cell epitopes are not affected by the mutations found in the variants analyzed. Overall, the results demonstrate that CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in convalescent COVID-19 subjects or COVID-19 mRNA vaccinees are not substantially affected by mutations found in the SARS-CoV-2 variants.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9078-9078
Author(s):  
John B. A. G. Haanen ◽  
Pia Kvistborg ◽  
Daisy Philips ◽  
Sander Kelderman ◽  
Bianca Heemskerk ◽  
...  

9078 Background: There is strong evidence that melanoma-reactive T cells induced by immunotherapeutic interventions such as anti-CTLA4 therapy can exert clinically effects. However, there is very little information on how these therapies influence tumor-specific T cell responses. Furthermore, as the number of potential melanoma-associated antigens to which these responses can be directed is very high, classical strategies to map cytotoxic T cell reactivity do not suffice. Knowledge of such reactivities would be useful to design targeted strategies, selectively aiming to induce immune reactivity against these antigens. Methods: We have addressed these issues by designing MHC class I molecules occupied with UV-sensitive ‘conditional’ ligands, thereby allowing the production of very large collections of pMHC complexes for T cell detection. Secondly, we have developed a ‘combinatorial coding’ strategy that allows parallel detection of dozens of different T cell populations within a single sample. The combined use of MHC ligand exchange and combinatorial coding allows the high-throughput dissection of disease- and therapy-induced CTL immunity. We have used this platform to monitor immune reactivity against a panel of 145 melanoma-associated epitopes in patients receiving Ipilimumab treatment. Results: Comparison of PBMC samples from 32 melanoma patients pre- and post-therapy indicated a significant increase in the number of detectable melanoma-associated T cell responses (p=0.004). Furthermore, kinetic data on T cell responses during therapy suggests that this broadening generally occurs within weeks after start of therapy. The magnitude of melanoma-specific T cell responses that was detectable prior to start of therapy was not significantly altered (p=0.8). Conclusions: These results establish the pattern of melanoma-specific T-cell reactivity induced by anti-CTLA4 treatment and form a benchmark for evaluation of other immunotherapeutic interventions, like anti-PD1 treatment, that are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. Furthermore, our data suggests that the clinical activity of Ipilimumab may be mostly due to epitope spreading, rather than through enhancement of pre-existing immune activity.


2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek Naranbhai ◽  
Anusha Nathan ◽  
Clarety Kaseke ◽  
Cristhian Berrios ◽  
Ashok Khatri ◽  
...  

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) contains mutations that mediate escape from infection and vaccine-induced antibody responses, although the extent to which these substitutions in spike and non-spike proteins affect T cell recognition is unknown. Here we show that T cell responses in individuals with prior infection, vaccination, both prior infection and vaccination, and boosted vaccination are largely preserved to Omicron spike and non-spike proteins. However, we also identify a subset of individuals (~21%) with a >50% reduction in T cell reactivity to the Omicron spike. Evaluation of functional CD4+ and CD8+ memory T cell responses confirmed these findings and reveal that reduced recognition to Omicron spike is primarily observed within the CD8+ T cell compartment. Booster vaccination substantially enhanced T cell responses to Omicron spike. In contrast to neutralizing immunity, these findings suggest preservation of T cell responses to the Omicron variant, although with reduced reactivity in some individuals.


2003 ◽  
Vol 198 (6) ◽  
pp. 889-901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susmit Suvas ◽  
Uday Kumaraguru ◽  
Christopher D. Pack ◽  
Sujin Lee ◽  
Barry T. Rouse

Naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells appear important to prevent activation of autoreactive T cells. This article demonstrates that the magnitude of a CD8+ T cell–mediated immune response to an acute viral infection is also subject to control by CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells (Treg). Accordingly, if natural Treg were depleted with specific anti-CD25 antibody before infection with HSV, the resultant CD8+ T cell response to the immunodominant peptide SSIEFARL was significantly enhanced. This was shown by several in vitro measures of CD8+ T cell reactivity and by assays that directly determine CD8+ T cell function, such as proliferation and cytotoxicity in vivo. The enhanced responsiveness in CD25-depleted animals was between three- and fourfold with the effect evident both in the acute and memory phases of the immune response. Surprisingly, HSV infection resulted in enhanced Treg function with such cells able to suppress CD8+ T cell responses to both viral and unrelated antigens. Our results are discussed both in term of how viral infection might temporarily diminish immunity to other infectious agents and their application to vaccines. Thus, controlling suppressor effects at the time of vaccination could result in more effective immunity.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 350-359
Author(s):  
Liliana Acevedo-Saenz ◽  
Federico Perdomo-Celis ◽  
Carlos J. Montoya ◽  
Paula A. Velilla

Background: : The diversity of the HIV proteome influences the cellular response and development of an effective vaccine, particularly due to the generation of viral variants with mutations located within CD8+ T-cell epitopes. These mutations can affect the recognition of the epitopes, that may result in the selection of HIV variants with mutated epitopes (autologous epitopes) and different CD8+ T-cell functional profiles. Objective:: To determine the phenotype and functionality of CD8+ T-cell from HIV-infected Colombian patients in response to autologous and consensus peptides derived from HIV-1 clade B protease and reverse transcriptase (RT). Methods:: By flow cytometry, we compared the ex vivo CD8+ T-cell responses from HIV-infected patients to autologous and consensus peptides derived from HIV-1 clade B protease and RT, restricted by HLA-B*35, HLA-B*44 and HLA-B*51 alleles. Results:: Although autologous peptides restricted by HLA-B*35 and HLA-B*44 did not show any differences compared with consensus peptides, we observed the induction of a higher polyfunctional profile of CD8+ T-cells by autologous peptides restricted by HLA-B*51, particularly by the production of interferon-γ and macrophage inflammatory protein-1β. The response by different memory CD8+ T-cell populations was comparable between autologous vs. consensus peptides. In addition, the magnitude of the polyfunctional response induced by the HLA-B*51-restricted QRPLVTIRI autologous epitope correlated with low viremia. Conclusion:: Autologous peptides should be considered for the evaluation of HIV-specific CD8+ Tcell responses and to reveal some relevant epitopes that could be useful for therapeutic strategies aiming to promote polyfunctional CD8+ T-cell responses in a specific population of HIV-infected patients.


2005 ◽  
Vol 79 (15) ◽  
pp. 9419-9429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole E. Miller ◽  
Jennifer R. Bonczyk ◽  
Yumi Nakayama ◽  
M. Suresh

ABSTRACT Although it is well documented that CD8 T cells play a critical role in controlling chronic viral infections, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of CD8 T-cell responses are not well understood. Using the mouse model of an acute and chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection, we have examined the relative importance of peripheral T cells and thymic emigrants in the elicitation and maintenance of CD8 T-cell responses. Virus-specific CD8 T-cell responses were compared between mice that were either sham thymectomized or thymectomized (Thx) at ∼6 weeks of age. In an acute LCMV infection, thymic deficiency did not affect either the primary expansion of CD8 T cells or the proliferative renewal and maintenance of virus-specific lymphoid and nonlymphoid memory CD8 T cells. Following a chronic LCMV infection, in Thx mice, although the initial expansion of CD8 T cells was normal, the contraction phase of the CD8 T-cell response was exaggerated, which led to a transient but striking CD8 T-cell deficit on day 30 postinfection. However, the virus-specific CD8 T-cell response in Thx mice rebounded quickly and was maintained at normal levels thereafter, which indicated that the peripheral T-cell repertoire is quite robust and capable of sustaining an effective CD8 T-cell response in the absence of thymic output during a chronic LCMV infection. Taken together, these findings should further our understanding of the regulation of CD8 T-cell homeostasis in acute and chronic viral infections and might have implications in the development of immunotherapy.


Pathogens ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhijuan Qiu ◽  
Camille Khairallah ◽  
Brian Sheridan

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) infection induces robust CD8 T cell responses, which play a critical role in resolving Lm during primary infection and provide protective immunity to re-infections. Comprehensive studies have been conducted to delineate the CD8 T cell response after Lm infection. In this review, the generation of the CD8 T cell response to Lm infection will be discussed. The role of dendritic cell subsets in acquiring and presenting Lm antigens to CD8 T cells and the events that occur during T cell priming and activation will be addressed. CD8 T cell expansion, differentiation and contraction as well as the signals that regulate these processes during Lm infection will be explored. Finally, the formation of memory CD8 T cell subsets in the circulation and in the intestine will be analyzed. Recently, the study of CD8 T cell responses to Lm infection has begun to shift focus from the intravenous infection model to a natural oral infection model as the humanized mouse and murinized Lm have become readily available. Recent findings in the generation of CD8 T cell responses to oral infection using murinized Lm will be explored throughout the review. Finally, CD8 T cell-mediated protective immunity against Lm infection and the use of Lm as a vaccine vector for cancer immunotherapy will be highlighted. Overall, this review will provide detailed knowledge on the biology of CD8 T cell responses after Lm infection that may shed light on improving rational vaccine design.


2010 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 2881-2892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael L. Freeman ◽  
Kathleen G. Lanzer ◽  
Tres Cookenham ◽  
Bjoern Peters ◽  
John Sidney ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68) provides an important experimental model for understanding mechanisms of immune control of the latent human gammaherpesviruses. Antiviral CD8 T cells play a key role throughout three separate phases of the infection: clearance of lytic virus, control of the latency amplification stage, and prevention of reactivation of latently infected cells. Previous analyses have shown that T-cell responses to two well-characterized epitopes derived from ORF6 and ORF61 progress with distinct kinetics. ORF6487-specific cells predominate early in infection and then decline rapidly, whereas ORF61524-specific cells continue to expand through early latency, due to sustained epitope expression. However, the paucity of identified epitopes to this virus has limited our understanding of the overall complexities of CD8 T-cell immune control throughout infection. Here we screened 1,383 predicted H-2b-restricted peptides and identified 33 responses, of which 21 have not previously been reported. Kinetic analysis revealed a spectrum of T-cell responses based on the rapidity of their decline after the peak acute response that generally corresponded to the expression patterns of the two previously characterized epitopes. The slowly declining responses that were maintained during latency amplification proliferated more rapidly and underwent maturation of functional avidity over time. Furthermore, the kinetics of decline was accelerated following infection with a latency-null mutant virus. Overall, the data show that γHV68 infection elicits a highly heterogeneous CD8 T-cell response that segregates into two distinctive kinetic patterns controlled by differential epitope expression during the lytic and latency amplification stages of infection.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saskia Meyer ◽  
Isaac Blaas ◽  
Ravi Chand Bollineni ◽  
Marina Delic-Sarac ◽  
Trung T Tran ◽  
...  

T-cell epitopes with broad population coverage may form the basis for a new generation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. However, published studies on immunoprevalence are limited by small test cohorts, low frequencies of antigen-specific cells and lack of data correlating eluted HLA ligands with T-cell responsiveness. Here, we investigate CD8 T-cell responses to 48 peptides eluted from prevalent HLA alleles, and an additional 84 predicted binders, in a large cohort of convalescents (n=83) and pre-pandemic control samples (n=19). We identify nine conserved SARS-CoV-2 specific epitopes restricted by four of the most prevalent HLA class I alleles in Caucasians, to which responding CD8 T cells are detected in 70-100% of convalescents expressing the relevant HLA allele, including two novel epitopes. We find a strong correlation between immunoprevalence and immunodominance. Using a new algorithm, we predict that a vaccine including these epitopes would induce a T cell response in 83% of Caucasians. Significance Statement: Vaccines that induce broad T-cell responses may boost immunity as protection from current vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 is waning. From a manufacturing standpoint, and to deliver the highest possible dose of the most immunogenic antigens, it is rational to limit the number of epitopes to those inducing the strongest immune responses in the highest proportion of individuals in a population. Our data show that the CD8 T cell response to SARS-CoV-2 is more focused than previously believed. We identify nine conserved SARS-CoV-2 specific CD8 T cell epitopes restricted by four of the most prevalent HLA class I alleles in Caucasians and demonstrate that seven of these are endogenously presented.


Viruses ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Perdiguero ◽  
Suresh C. Raman ◽  
Cristina Sánchez-Corzo ◽  
Carlos Oscar S. Sorzano ◽  
José Ramón Valverde ◽  
...  

An effective vaccine against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) still remains the best solution to provide a sustainable control and/or eradication of the virus. We have previously generated the HIV-1 vaccine modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-B, which exhibited good immunogenicity profile in phase I prophylactic and therapeutic clinical trials, but was unable to prevent viral rebound after antiretroviral (ART) removal. To potentiate the immunogenicity of MVA-B, here we described the design and immune responses elicited in mice by a new T cell multi-epitopic B (TMEP-B) immunogen, vectored by DNA, when administered in homologous or heterologous prime/boost regimens in combination with MVA-B. The TMEP-B protein contained conserved regions from Gag, Pol, and Nef proteins including multiple CD4 and CD8 T cell epitopes functionally associated with HIV control. Heterologous DNA-TMEP/MVA-B regimen induced higher HIV-1-specific CD8 T cell responses with broader epitope recognition and higher polyfunctional profile than the homologous DNA-TMEP/DNA-TMEP or the heterologous DNA-GPN/MVA-B combinations. Moreover, higher HIV-1-specific CD4 and Tfh immune responses were also detected using this regimen. After MVA-B boost, the magnitude of the anti-VACV CD8 T cell response was significantly compromised in DNA-TMEP-primed animals. Our results revealed the immunological potential of DNA-TMEP prime/MVA-B boost regimen and supported the application of these combined vectors in HIV-1 prevention and/or therapy.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document