scholarly journals Preliminary Identification of Potential Vaccine Targets for the COVID-19 Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Based on SARS-CoV Immunological Studies

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Faraz Ahmed ◽  
Ahmed A. Quadeer ◽  
Matthew R. McKay
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
T Cell Epitopes ◽  
Population Coverage ◽  
Preliminary Identification ◽  
Coverage Analysis ◽  
Potential Vaccine ◽  
Novel Virus ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Mhc Alleles

The beginning of 2020 has seen the emergence of COVID-19 outbreak caused by a novel coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There is an imminent need to better understand this new virus and to develop ways to control its spread. In this study, we sought to gain insights for vaccine design against SARS-CoV-2 by considering the high genetic similarity between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, which caused the outbreak in 2003, and leveraging existing immunological studies of SARS-CoV. By screening the experimentally-determined SARS-CoV-derived B cell and T cell epitopes in the immunogenic structural proteins of SARS-CoV, we identified a set of B cell and T cell epitopes derived from the spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins that map identically to SARS-CoV-2 proteins. As no mutation has been observed in these identified epitopes among the 120 available SARS-CoV-2 sequences (as of 21 February 2020), immune targeting of these epitopes may potentially offer protection against this novel virus. For the T cell epitopes, we performed a population coverage analysis of the associated MHC alleles and proposed a set of epitopes that is estimated to provide broad coverage globally, as well as in China. Our findings provide a screened set of epitopes that can help guide experimental efforts towards the development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Preliminary identification of potential vaccine targets for the COVID-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) based on SARS-CoV immunological studies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Faraz Ahmed ◽  
Ahmed A. Quadeer ◽  
Matthew R. McKay
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
T Cell Epitopes ◽  
Population Coverage ◽  
Preliminary Identification ◽  
Coverage Analysis ◽  
Potential Vaccine ◽  
Novel Virus ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Mhc Alleles

AbstractThe beginning of 2020 has seen the emergence of COVID-19 outbreak caused by a novel coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). There is an imminent need to better understand this new virus and to develop ways to control its spread. In this study, we sought to gain insights for vaccine design against SARS-CoV-2 by considering the high genetic similarity between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, which caused the outbreak in 2003, and leveraging existing immunological studies of SARS-CoV. By screening the experimentally-determined SARS-CoV-derived B cell and T cell epitopes in the immunogenic structural proteins of SARS-CoV, we identified a set of B cell and T cell epitopes derived from the spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) proteins that map identically to SARS-CoV-2 proteins. As no mutation has been observed in these identified epitopes among the available SARS-CoV-2 sequences (as of 9 February 2020), immune targeting of these epitopes may potentially offer protection against this novel virus. For the T cell epitopes, we performed a population coverage analysis of the associated MHC alleles and proposed a set of epitopes that is estimated to provide broad coverage globally, as well as in China. Our findings provide a screened set of epitopes that can help guide experimental efforts towards the development of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Computational perspectives revealed prospective vaccine candidates from five structural proteins of novel SARS corona virus 2019 (SARS-CoV-2)

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9855
Author(s):  
Rajesh Anand ◽  
Subham Biswal ◽  
Renu Bhatt ◽  
Bhupendra N. Tiwary
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
T Cell Epitopes ◽  
Population Coverage ◽  
B Cell Epitopes ◽  
Vaccine Candidates ◽  
Conformational Epitopes ◽  
Potential Vaccine ◽  
Linear B

Background The present pandemic COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus from the Coronaviridae family. Due to a lack of antiviral drugs, vaccines against the virus are urgently required. Methods In this study, validated computational approaches were used to identify peptide-based epitopes from six structural proteins having antigenic properties. The Net-CTL 1.2 tool was used for the prediction of CD8+ T-cell epitopes, while the robust tools Bepi-Pred 2 and LBtope was employed for the identification of linear B-cell epitopes. Docking studies of the identified epitopes were performed using HADDOCK 2.4 and the structures were visualized by Discovery Studio and LigPlot+. Antigenicity, immunogenicity, conservancy, population coverage and allergenicity of the predicted epitopes were determined by the bioinformatics tools like VaxiJen v2.0 server, the Immune Epitope Database tools and AllerTOP v.2.0, AllergenFP 1.0 and ElliPro. Results The predicted T cell and linear B-cell epitopes were considered as prime vaccine targets in case they passed the requisite parameters like antigenicity, immunogenicity, conservancy, non-allergenicity and broad range of population coverage. Among the predicted CD8+ T cell epitopes, potential vaccine targets from surface glycoprotein were; YQPYRVVVL, PYRVVVLSF, GVYFASTEK, QLTPTWRVY, and those from ORF3a protein were LKKRWQLAL, HVTFFIYNK. Similarly, RFLYIIKLI, LTWICLLQF from membrane protein and three epitopes viz; SPRWYFYYL, TWLTYTGAI, KTFPPTEPK from nucleocapsid phosphoprotein were the superior vaccine targets observed in our study. The negative values of HADDOCK and Z scores obtained for the best cluster indicated the potential of the epitopes as suitable vaccine candidates. Analysis of the 3D and 2D interaction diagrams of best cluster produced by HADDOCK 2.4 displayed the binding interaction of leading T cell epitopes within the MHC-1 peptide binding clefts. On the other hand, among linear B cell epitopes the majority of potential vaccine targets were from nucleocapsid protein, viz; 59−HGKEDLKFPRGQGVPINTNSSPDDQIGYYRRATRRIRGGDGKMKDLS−105, 227−LNQLE SKMSGKGQQQQGQTVTKKSAAEASKKPRQKRTATK−266, 3−DNGPQNQRNAPRITFGGP−20, 29−GERSGARSKQRRPQGL−45. Two other prime vaccine targets, 370−NSASFSTFKCYGVSPTKLNDLCFTNV−395 and 260−AGAAAYYVGYLQPRT−274 were identified in the spike protein. The potential B-cell conformational epitopes were predicted on the basis of a higher protrusion index indicating greater solvent accessibility. These conformational epitopes were of various lengths and belonged to spike, ORF3a, membrane and nucleocapsid proteins. Conclusions Taken together, eleven T cell epitopes, seven B cell linear epitopes and ten B cell conformational epitopes were identified from five structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 using advanced computational tools. These potential vaccine candidates may provide important timely directives for an effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Vaccine Design against Coronavirus Spike (S) Glycoprotein in Chicken: Immunoinformatic and Computational Approaches

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumaia Awad Elkariem Ali ◽  
Eman Ali Awadelkareem
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
T Cell Epitopes ◽  
Resistance Response ◽  
Docking Analysis ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Infectious Bronchitis ◽  
Mhc Alleles

Abstract Background: Infectious bronchitis (IB) is a highly contagious respiratory disease in chickens and produces economic loss within the poultry industry. It is caused by a single stranded RNA virus belonging to Cronaviridae family. Methods: The present study used various tools in Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) to predict conserved B and T cell epitopes against IBV spike (S) protein that may perform a significant role in provoking the resistance response to IBV infection. Results: In B cell prediction methods, three epitopes (1139KKSSYY1144, 1140KSSYYT1145, 1141SSYYT1145) were selected as surface, linear and antigenic epitopes. Many MHCI and MHCII epitopes were predicted for IBV S protein. Among them 982YYITARDMY990 and 983YITARDMYM991 epitopes displayed high antigenicity, no allergenicity and no toxicity as well as great linkage with MHCI and MHCII alleles. Moreover, docking analysis of MHCI epitope produced strong binding affinity with BF2 alleles. Conclusion: Five conserved epitopes were expected from spike glycoprotein of IBV as the best B cell and T cell epitopes due to high antigenicity, no allergenicity and no toxicity. In addition, MHC epitopes showed great linkage with MHC alleles as well as strong interaction with BF2 alleles. These epitopes should be designed and incorporated and then tested as multi-epitope vaccine against IBV.

scholarly journals Immunoinformatic identification of B cell and T cell epitopes in the SARS-CoV-2 proteome

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen N. Crooke ◽  
Inna G. Ovsyannikova ◽  
Richard B. Kennedy ◽  
Gregory A. Poland
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Selection Criteria ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Hla Class I ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Class I ◽  
T Cell Epitopes ◽  
B Cell Epitopes ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

AbstractA novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) emerged from China in late 2019 and rapidly spread across the globe, infecting millions of people and generating societal disruption on a level not seen since the 1918 influenza pandemic. A safe and effective vaccine is desperately needed to prevent the continued spread of SARS-CoV-2; yet, rational vaccine design efforts are currently hampered by the lack of knowledge regarding viral epitopes targeted during an immune response, and the need for more in-depth knowledge on betacoronavirus immunology. To that end, we developed a computational workflow using a series of open-source algorithms and webtools to analyze the proteome of SARS-CoV-2 and identify putative T cell and B cell epitopes. Using increasingly stringent selection criteria to select peptides with significant HLA promiscuity and predicted antigenicity, we identified 41 potential T cell epitopes (5 HLA class I, 36 HLA class II) and 6 potential B cell epitopes, respectively. Docking analysis and binding predictions demonstrated enrichment for peptide binding to HLA-B (class I) and HLA-DRB1 (class II) molecules. Overlays of predicted B cell epitopes with the structure of the viral spike (S) glycoprotein revealed that 4 of 6 epitopes were located in the receptor-binding domain of the S protein. To our knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively analyze all 10 (structural, non-structural and accessory) proteins from SARS-CoV-2 using predictive algorithms to identify potential targets for vaccine development.Significance StatementThe novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 recently emerged from China, rapidly spreading and ushering in a global pandemic. Despite intensive research efforts, our knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 immunology and the proteins targeted by the immune response remains relatively limited, making it difficult to rationally design candidate vaccines. We employed a suite of bioinformatic tools, computational algorithms, and structural modeling to comprehensively analyze the entire SARS-CoV-2 proteome for potential T cell and B cell epitopes. Utilizing a set of stringent selection criteria to filter peptide epitopes, we identified 41 T cell epitopes (5 HLA class I, 36 HLA class II) and 6 B cell epitopes that could serve as promising targets for peptide-based vaccine development against this emerging global pathogen.

scholarly journals Structure/epitope-based immunoinformatics analysis of structural proteins of 2019 novel coronavirus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuwei Li ◽  
Mi Mao ◽  
Liteng Yang ◽  
Xizhuo Sun ◽  
Nanshan Zhong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Envelope Protein ◽  
Antiviral Treatment ◽  
Peptide Vaccine ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
T Cell Epitopes ◽  
B Cell Epitopes ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Abstract The newly identified 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has caused more than 81,400 laboratory-confirmed human infections, including 3261 deaths, posing a serious threat to human health. Currently, however, there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine. To identify immunodominant peptides for designing global peptide vaccine for combating the infections caused by 2019-nCoV, the structure and immunogenicity of 2019-nCoV structural protein were analyzed by bioinformatics tools. 33 B-cell epitopes and 39 T-cell epitopes were determined in four structural proteins via different immunoinformatic tools in which include spike protein (22 B-cell epitopes, 25 T-cell epitopes ), nucleocapsid protein (7 B-cell epitopes, 6 T-cell epitopes), membrane protein (2 B-cell epitopes, 7 T-cell epitopes), and envelope protein (2 B-cell epitopes, 1T-cell epitopes), respectively. The proportion of epitope residues in primary sequence was used to determine the antigenicity and immunogenicity of proteins. The envelope protein has the largest antigenicity in which residue coverage of B-cell epitopes is 24%. The membrane protein possesses the largest immunogenicity in which residue coverage of T-cell epitopes is 55.86%. The reason that immune storm was caused by 2019-nCoV maybe that the membrane and envelope protein expressed plentifully in cell infected. Further, studies involving experimental validation of these predicted epitopes is warranted to ensure the potential of B-cells and T-cells stimulation for their effective use as vaccine candidates. These findings provide the basis for starting further studies on the pathogenesis, and optimizing the design of diagnostic, antiviral and vaccination strategies for this emerging infection.

scholarly journals Identification of Cytotoxic T-Cell and B-Cell Epitopes in the Nucleocapsid Phosphoprotein of SARS-COV-2 Using Immunoinformatics

2021 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-86
Author(s):  
A.A. Dawood ◽  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Human Leukocyte ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
Cytotoxic T Cell ◽  
B Cell Epitopes ◽  
Leukocyte Antigens ◽  
Strategy Process ◽  
Potential Vaccine ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

Last December, a novel coronavirus emerged in Wuhan city, China. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes a high intense acute respiratory syndrome with elevation mortality. Nucleocapsid phosphoprotein (NP) is one of the most structural proteins of the virus. NP possesses active immunogenicity for T-cell response. Because NP considered as a potential vaccine target, our study goal was to identify the cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) and B-cell epitopes inside NP peptides. Methods. We used a series of popular immunoinformatics and algorithm tools such as FASTA-NCBI, CLUSTAL-OMGA, T-COFFEE, SWISS-MODEL, CTLPred and its branches. Results. Homology modeling and alignment of SARS-CoV-2 NP showed high conserved residues compared with related sequences. Different types of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alleles were identified, specifically human leukocyte antigens (HLA-A) affinity for NP. We also demonstrate six B-cell epitopes with a high score above the threshold. Conclusions. We recorded high binder HLA-A*02:01 alleles matched between the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 NP and the Bat coronavirus SARS-Bat-CoV NP. Identification of CTL response and B-cell predictions will be helpful in reverse immunogenetic approaches, hence in the strategy process of the plausible design of the vaccine.

scholarly journals Multi-epitope Based Peptide Vaccine Design Using Three Structural Proteins (S, E, and M) of SARS-CoV-2: An In Silico Approach

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arpita Singha Roy ◽  
Mahafujul Islam Quadery Tonmoy ◽  
Atqiya Fariha ◽  
Ithmam Hami ◽  
Ibrahim Khalil Afif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Peptide Vaccine ◽  
Evolutionary Relationship ◽  
Cell Epitope ◽  
Epitope Prediction ◽  
Vaccine Design ◽  
Structural Proteins ◽  
T Cell Epitopes ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

AbstractSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the novel coronavirus responsible for the ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). No sustainable treatment option is available so far to tackle such a public health threat. Therefore, designing a suitable vaccine to overcome this hurdle asks for immediate attention. In this study, we targeted for a design of multi-epitope based vaccine using immunoinformatics tools. We considered the structural proteins S, E and, M of SARS-CoV-2, since they facilitate the infection of the virus into host cell and using different bioinformatics tools and servers, we predicted multiple B-cell and T-cell epitopes having potential for the required vaccine design. Phylogenetic analysis provided insight on ancestral molecular changes and molecular evolutionary relationship of S, E, and M proteins. Based on the antigenicity and surface accessibility of these proteins, eight epitopes were selected by various B cell and T cell epitope prediction tools. Molecular docking was executed to interpret the binding interactions of these epitopes and three potential epitopes WTAGAAAYY, YVYSRVKNL, and GTITVEELK were selected for their noticeable higher binding affinity scores −9.1, −7.4, and −7.0 kcal/mol, respectively. Targeted epitopes had 91.09% population coverage worldwide. In summary, we identified three epitopes having the most significant properties of designing the peptide-based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.

scholarly journals Vaccine Design against Coronavirus Spike (S) Glycoprotein in Chicken: Immunoinformatic and Computational Approaches

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumaia Awad Elkariem Ali ◽  
Eman Ali Awadelkareem
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Rna Virus ◽  
Homology Modelling ◽  
Economic Loss ◽  
T Cell Epitopes ◽  
Resistance Response ◽  
Docking Analysis ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Mhc Alleles

Abstract BackgroundInfectious bronchitis (IB) is a highly contagious respiratory disease in chickens and produces economic loss within the poultry industry. It is caused by a single stranded RNA virus belonging to Cronaviridae family.MethodsThe present study used various tools in Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) to predict conserved B and T cell epitopes against IBV spike (S) protein that may perform a significant role in provoking the resistance response to IBV infection. Structural analysis, homology modelling and molecular docking were also achieved.ResultsIn B cell prediction methods, three epitopes (1139KKSSYY1144, 1140KSSYYT1145, 1141SSYYT1145) were selected as surface, linear and antigenic epitopes based on the length and antigenicity score. Many MHCI and MHCII epitopes were predicted for IBV S protein. Among them 982YYITARDMY990 and 983YITARDMYM991 epitopes displayed high antigenicity, no allergenicity and no toxicity as well as great linkage with MHCI and MHCII alleles. Moreover, docking analysis of MHCI epitope produced strong binding affinity with BF2 alleles. Conclusion: Five conserved epitopes were expected from spike glycoprotein of IBV as the top B cell and T cell epitopes due to high antigenicity, no allergenicity and no toxicity. In addition, MHC epitopes showed great linkage with MHC alleles as well as strong interaction with BF2 alleles. These epitopes should be designed and incorporated and then tested as multi-epitope vaccine against IBV.

scholarly journals Population coverage analysis of T-Cell epitopes of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B from Iron acquisition proteins for vaccine design

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (7) ◽  
pp. 255-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Namrata Misra ◽  
Prasanna Kumar Panda ◽  
Kavita Shah ◽  
Lala Bihari Sukla ◽  
Priyanka Chaubey
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Neisseria Meningitidis ◽  
Iron Acquisition ◽  
Vaccine Design ◽  
T Cell Epitopes ◽  
Population Coverage ◽  
Coverage Analysis
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