Designing a SARS-CoV-2 T-Cell-Inducing Vaccine for High-Risk Patient Groups

Designing a SARS-CoV-2 T-Cell-Inducing Vaccine for High-Risk Patient Groups

Hans-Georg Rammensee, Cécile Gouttefangeas, Sonja Heidu, Reinhild Klein, Beate Preuß, Juliane Sarah Walz, Annika Nelde, Sebastian P. Haen, Michael Reth, Jianying Yang, Ghazaleh Tabatabai, Hans Bösmüller, Helen Hoffmann, Michael Schindler, Oliver Planz, Karl-Heinz Wiesmüller, Markus W. Löffler

We describe the results of two vaccinations of a self-experimenting healthy volunteer with SARS-CoV-2-derived peptides performed in March and April 2020, respectively. The first set of peptides contained eight peptides predicted to bind to the individual’s HLA molecules. The second set consisted of ten peptides predicted to bind promiscuously to several HLA-DR allotypes. The vaccine formulation contained the new TLR 1/2 agonist XS15 and was administered as an emulsion in Montanide as a single subcutaneous injection. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from blood drawn before and after vaccinations were assessed using Interferon-γ ELISpot assays and intracellular cytokine staining. We detected vaccine-induced CD4 T cell responses against six out of 11 peptides predicted to bind to HLA-DR after 19 days, following vaccination, for one peptide already at day 12. We used these results to support the design of a T-cell-inducing vaccine for application in high-risk patients, with weakened lymphocyte performance. Meanwhile, an according vaccine, incorporating T cell epitopes predominant in convalescents, is undergoing clinical trial testing.

2021

covid-19, SARS-CoV-2, adjuvant, peptide vaccine, lipopeptide, high-risk patient

10.3390/vaccines9050428

Epidemiology and Health

Korean Society of Epidemiology

Medicine