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Vecchio E, Rotundo S, Veneziano C, Abatino A, Aversa I, Gallo R, Giordano C, Serapide F, Fusco P, Viglietto G, Cuda G, Costanzo F, Russo A, Trecarichi EM, Torti C, Palmieri C. The spike-specific TCRβ repertoire shows distinct features in unvaccinated or vaccinated patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. J Transl Med 2024; 22:33. [PMID: 38185632 PMCID: PMC10771664 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-04852-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The evolving variants of SARS-CoV-2 may escape immunity from prior infections or vaccinations. It's vital to understand how immunity adapts to these changes. Both infection and mRNA vaccination induce T cells that target the Spike protein. These T cells can recognize multiple variants, such as Delta and Omicron, even if neutralizing antibodies are weakened. However, the degree of recognition can vary among people, affecting vaccine efficacy. Previous studies demonstrated the capability of T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire analysis to identify conserved and immunodominant peptides with cross-reactive potential among variant of concerns. However, there is a need to extend the analysis of the TCR repertoire to different clinical scenarios. The aim of this study was to examine the Spike-specific TCR repertoire profiles in natural infections and those with combined natural and vaccine immunity. METHODS A T-cell enrichment approach and bioinformatic tools were used to investigate the Spike-specific TCRβ repertoire in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of previously vaccinated (n = 8) or unvaccinated (n = 6) COVID-19 patients. RESULTS Diversity and clonality of the TCRβ repertoire showed no significant differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. When comparing the TCRβ data to public databases, 692 unique TCRβ sequences linked to S epitopes were found in the vaccinated group and 670 in the unvaccinated group. TCRβ clonotypes related to spike regions S135-177, S264-276, S319-350, and S448-472 appear notably more prevalent in the vaccinated group. In contrast, the S673-699 epitope, believed to have super antigenic properties, is observed more frequently in the unvaccinated group. In-silico analyses suggest that mutations in epitopes, relative to the main SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, don't hinder their cross-reactive recognition by associated TCRβ clonotypes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal distinct TCRβ signatures in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals with COVID-19. These differences might be associated with disease severity and could influence clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION FESR/FSE 2014-2020 DDRC n. 585, Action 10.5.12, noCOVID19@UMG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Vecchio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre of Services, University "Magna Graecia", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Salvatore Rotundo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Chair of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University "Magna Graecia", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Claudia Veneziano
- Interdepartmental Centre of Services, University "Magna Graecia", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Abatino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ilenia Aversa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Raffaella Gallo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Caterina Giordano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesca Serapide
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Chair of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University "Magna Graecia", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Paolo Fusco
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Chair of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University "Magna Graecia", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Viglietto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovanni Cuda
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Costanzo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
- Interdepartmental Centre of Services, University "Magna Graecia", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Alessandro Russo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Chair of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University "Magna Graecia", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Enrico Maria Trecarichi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Chair of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University "Magna Graecia", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carlo Torti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Chair of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, University "Magna Graecia", 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Camillo Palmieri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
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Neoantigens: promising targets for cancer therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:9. [PMID: 36604431 PMCID: PMC9816309 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01270-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 115.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in neoantigen research have accelerated the development and regulatory approval of tumor immunotherapies, including cancer vaccines, adoptive cell therapy and antibody-based therapies, especially for solid tumors. Neoantigens are newly formed antigens generated by tumor cells as a result of various tumor-specific alterations, such as genomic mutation, dysregulated RNA splicing, disordered post-translational modification, and integrated viral open reading frames. Neoantigens are recognized as non-self and trigger an immune response that is not subject to central and peripheral tolerance. The quick identification and prediction of tumor-specific neoantigens have been made possible by the advanced development of next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic technologies. Compared to tumor-associated antigens, the highly immunogenic and tumor-specific neoantigens provide emerging targets for personalized cancer immunotherapies, and serve as prospective predictors for tumor survival prognosis and immune checkpoint blockade responses. The development of cancer therapies will be aided by understanding the mechanism underlying neoantigen-induced anti-tumor immune response and by streamlining the process of neoantigen-based immunotherapies. This review provides an overview on the identification and characterization of neoantigens and outlines the clinical applications of prospective immunotherapeutic strategies based on neoantigens. We also explore their current status, inherent challenges, and clinical translation potential.
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