Dataset Information

Accuracy of QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 RUO assay and characterization of the CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell-SARS-CoV-2 response: comparison with a homemade IFN-γ release assay.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Characterization of the SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell response detected by the QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 RUO assay in terms of accuracy and T-cell subsets involved compared to a homemade interferon (IFN)-γ release assay (IGRA).

Methods

We evaluated T-cell response by the standardized QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 tubes (Ag1 and Ag2) and a homemade IGRA quantifying IFN-γ response to SARS-CoV-2 spike peptides (homemade-IGRA-SPIKE test). By flow cytometry, we evaluated the T-cell subsets mediating the specific response.

Results

We prospectively enrolled 66 individuals: COVID-19 or post-COVID-19 subjects, and NO-COVID-19-vaccinated subjects, including healthy donors and immunocompromised subjects. The standardized kit detected 62.1% (41/66) of T-cell responders. Ag2 tube showed the higher IFN-γ quantitative and qualitative response. Ag1 tube response was mainly mediated by CD4⁺ T cells; Ag2 tube response was mediated by both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. The homemade-IGRA-SPIKE test detected a higher number of responders (52/66, 78.8%) than QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 assay (p=0.056), and the response was found in both T-cell subsets, although a higher magnitude and response rate was observed in the CD4⁺ T-cell subset.

Conclusions

QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 response is mediated by CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. A lower number of responders is found compared to homemade-IGRA-SPIKE test, likely due to the different peptide composition.

SUBMITTER: Aiello A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9307287 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:COVID-19 caused, as of September, 1rst, 2022, 599,825,400 confirmed cases, including 6,469,458 deaths. Currently used vaccines reduced severity and mortality but not virus transmission or reinfection by different strains. They are based on the Spike protein of the Wuhan reference virus, which although highly antigenic suffered many mutations in SARS-CoV-2 variants, escaping vaccine-generated immune responses. Multiepitope vaccines based on 100% conserved epitopes of multiple proteins of all SARS-CoV-2 variants, rather than a single highly mutating antigen, could offer more long-lasting protection. In this study, a multiepitope multivariant vaccine was designed using immunoinformatics and in silico approaches. It is composed of highly promiscuous and strong HLA binding CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes of the S, M, N, E, ORF1ab, ORF 6 and ORF8 proteins. Based on the analysis of one genome per WHO clade, the epitopes were 100% conserved among the Wuhan-Hu1, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Omicron, Mµ, Zeta, Lambda and R1 variants. An extended epitope-conservancy analysis performed using GISAID metadata of 3,630,666 SARS-CoV-2 genomes of these variants and the additional genomes of the Epsilon, Lota, Theta, Eta, Kappa and GH490 R clades, confirmed the high conservancy of the epitopes. All but one of the CD4 peptides showed a level of conservation greater than 97% among all genomes. All but one of the CD8 epitopes showed a level of conservation greater than 96% among all genomes, with the vast majority greater than 99%. A multiepitope and multivariant recombinant vaccine was designed and it was stable, mildly hydrophobic and non-toxic. The vaccine has good molecular docking with TLR4 and promoted, without adjuvant, strong B and Th1 memory immune responses and secretion of high levels of IL-2, IFN-γ, lower levels of IL-12, TGF-β and IL-10, and no IL-6. Experimental in vivo studies should validate the vaccine's further use as preventive tool with cross-protective properties.

Dataset Information

Accuracy of QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 RUO assay and characterization of the CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell-SARS-CoV-2 response: comparison with a homemade IFN-γ release assay.

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

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Dataset Information

Accuracy of QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 RUO assay and characterization of the CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell-SARS-CoV-2 response: comparison with a homemade IFN-γ release assay.

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets

Accuracy of QuantiFERON SARS-CoV-2 RUO assay and characterization of the CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell-SARS-CoV-2 response: comparison with a homemade IFN-γ release assay.