Mapping SARS-CoV-2 epitopes for T lymphocytes and spike protein receptor for B lymphocytes

Abstract

The emerging SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged in China, with easy spread and significant lethality. In less than three months of its identification it has already caused more than 35,000 deaths worldwide and with an increasing number of fatalities. As it is a new virus introduced in the human population, it is not known if there is an immune population; it has easy spread and lethality varies from 1 to 16% according to country, age group and comorbidities. In the absence of a specific vaccine or treatment, the pandemic is paralyzing entire continents. It is known that the entry of all coronaviruses in host cells is mediated by the glycoprotein spike, a potential therapeutic target, especially the region of the binding receptor domain. The knowledge of the cellular response to this virus is still little known. Therefore, this knowledge is of immediate relevance. In this project, we aim to map the epitopes of T and B lymphocytes recognized by cells and antibodies of convalescent COVID-19 patients, starting from the complete sequence for T epitopes and focusing on the Spike protein receptor for B lymphocytes. These data may assist in the development of vaccines and immunotherapeutics in the medium term. (AU)