Minimal Crossover between Mutations Associated with Omicron Variant of SARS-CoV-2 and CD8 + T-Cell Epitopes Identified in COVID-19 Convalescent Individuals

• DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03617-21
• Publication Date: 2022-03-01T11:45:04Z
• Authors: Andrew D. Redd; Alessandra Nardin; Hassen Kared; Evan M. Bloch; Brian Abel; Andrew Pekosz; Oliver Laeyendecker; Michael Fehlings; Thomas C. Quinn; Aaron A. R. Tobian
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak

There is a growing concern that ongoing evolution of SARS-CoV-2 could lead to variants (VOC) are capable avoiding some or all the multifaceted immune response generated by both prior infection vaccination, with recently described B.1.1.529 (Omicron) VOC being particular interest. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples from PCR-confirmed, recovered COVID-19 convalescent individuals (n = 30) infected in United States collected April and May 2020 who possessed at least one more six different HLA haplotypes were selected for examination their anti-SARS-CoV-2 CD8+ T-cell responses using multiplexed peptide-major histocompatibility complex tetramer staining approach. This analysis examined if previously identified viral epitopes targeted T cells these 52 distinct epitopes) mutated newly Omicron 50 mutations). Within this population, only low-prevalence epitope Spike protein, restricted two alleles found 2/30 (7%) individuals, contained single amino acid change associated VOC. These data suggest virtually existing should recognize has not evolved extensive escape mutations time. IMPORTANCE The variant contains than any previous date. In addition, many areas likely bound neutralizing antibodies, suggesting first line immunological defense against compromised. However, natural vaccination develop T-cell-based addition antibodies. study parts virus, epitopes, 30 variant. Only population an was Omicron. infected, most vaccinated, still be effective