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Publication Abstract from PubMed

CD8+ T cells are crucial for anti-viral immunity; however, understanding T cell responses requires the identification of epitopes presented by human leukocyte antigens (HLA). To date, few SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cell epitopes have been described. Internal viral proteins are typically more conserved than surface proteins and are often the target of CD8+ T cells. Therefore, we have characterized eight peptides derived from the internal SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein predicted to bind HLA-A( *)02:01, the most common HLA molecule in the global population. We determined not all peptides could form a complex with HLA-A( *)02:01, and the six crystal structures determined revealed that some peptides adopted a mobile conformation. We therefore provide a molecular understanding of SARS-CoV-2 CD8+ T cell epitopes. Furthermore, we show that there is limited pre-existing CD8+ T cell response toward these epitopes in unexposed individuals. Together, these data show that SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid might not contain potent epitopes restricted to HLA-A( *)02:01.

The presentation of SARS-CoV-2 peptides by the common HLA-A( *)02:01 molecule.,Szeto C, Chatzileontiadou DSM, Nguyen AT, Sloane H, Lobos CA, Jayasinghe D, Halim H, Smith C, Riboldi-Tunnicliffe A, Grant EJ, Gras S iScience. 2021 Feb 19;24(2):102096. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102096. Epub 2021 , Jan 22. PMID:33521593^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.