Identification of conserved SARS-CoV-2 spike epitopes that expand public cTfh clonotypes in mild COVID-19 patients

• DOI: 10.1084/jem.20211327
• Publication Date: 2021-10-18T11:26:57Z
• Authors: Xiuyuan Lu; Yuki Hosono; Masamichi Nagae; Shigenari Ishizuka; Eri Ishikawa; Daisuke Motooka; Yuki Ozaki; Nicolas Sax; Yuichi Maeda; Yasuhiro Kato; Takayoshi Morita; Ryo Shinnakasu; Takeshi Inoue; Taishi Onodera; Takayuki Matsumura; Masaharu Shinkai; Takashi Sato; Shota Nakamura; Shunsuke Mori; Teru Kanda; Emi E. Nakayama; Tatsuo Shioda; Tomohiro Kurosaki; Kiyoshi Takeda; Atsushi Kumanogoh; Hisashi Arase; Hironori Nakagami; Kazuo Yamashita; Yoshimasa Takahashi; Sho Yamasaki
• Keywords: Adult; Male; 0301 basic medicine; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; Antibodies, Viral; Lymphocyte Activation; Article; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; HLA Antigens; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Humans; Female

Adaptive immunity is a fundamental component in controlling COVID-19. In this process, follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are subset of CD4+ that mediate the production protective antibodies; however, SARS-CoV-2 epitopes activating Tfh not well characterized. Here, we identified and crystallized TCRs public circulating (cTfh) clonotypes expanded patients who have recovered from mild symptoms. These recognized spike (S) conserved across emerging variants. The epitope most prevalent cTfh clonotype, S864–882, was presented by multiple HLAs activated healthy donors, suggesting S region universal cell useful for booster antigen. SARS-CoV-2–specific also cross-reacted with specific commensal bacteria. study, activate associated