epitopes – BioQuakes

On December 1st, 2022, Nature Immunology published an article based on discoveries, founded by University of Birmingham researchers, regarding why SARS-CoV-2 still continues to invade our bodies and harm our immune systems!

In an experiment funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Researcher, CD4+ T cells (which are a necessity for our immune systems to protect from viruses) were tested at the beginning of the pandemic in healthcare workers that were infected with COVID- 19. This experiment determined that T-cells were successfully able to identify epitopes in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 but as SARS-CoV-2 continued to evolve and mutate, the T-cell recognition was impaired. Against certain variants of SARS-CoV-2 such as Omicron, it was shown through this experiment that the T-cell recognition was less effective against the Omicron variant. Due to SAR-CoV-2 constant mutation affecting the role of our T- cells, this causes a lack of protection from our immune system which effects our health. This relates to biology class where we have been learning about how our immune systems can fight and prevent viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. We have discussed the central roles of T- cells and how “helper T- cells” recognize antigens and stimulate humoral and cell mediated immunity by releasing cytokines. Learning about how vital T- cells are to our bodies while fighting off viruses makes me understand why after 3 years we are still being affected by SARS-CoV-2 virus! This is also interesting to understand why certain variants of SARS-CoV-2 can be more detrimental to our health than other variants.

This study also makes it clear that while the current vaccines are still essential to protect us from COVID-19, researchers are continuing to develop new vaccines that are specific to other variants.

Researchers from the University of Birmingham have shown that T cell immunity is coping with mutations that have increased within COVID-19 variants. Researchers tested CD4+ T cells at the beginning of the pandemic and found that a few of the T cells were able to recognize the epitopes in the Omicron variant. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to mutate, T-cell recognition of epitopes could decrease, causing a decline in the overall protection of the immune system. Although most people have a diversified T-cell response against the virus, some are less effective against Omicron specifically.

Vaccines developed at the beginning of the pandemic help to provide strong protection against severe hospitalization and death. But COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 continue to mutate. These mutations alter the epitope, which the virus uses to enter. It helps the virus to dodge the immune system’s attack. Current vaccines help the creation of antibodies and immune cells that recognize the protein.

Vials containing the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine sit on a table in preparation for vaccinations at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 4, 2021. As part of the DoD strategy for prioritizing, distributing and administering the COVID-19 vaccine, those providing direct medical care and emergency services will be prioritized to receive the vaccine at units based in Japan, including Kadena AB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Anna Nolte)

One thing we have learned thus far in AP Biology class is that T Helper Cells stimulate other T cells to divide and create two types of cells. T Memory Cells are long-lived cells to prevent reinfection, and T Killer Cells or Cytotoxic T Cells kill infected or cancerous cells.

It is very interesting for us to be able to understand how vaccines work to help us. Current mRNA vaccines produce some T cells that recognize multiple variants. This may help to protect against severe disease with the Omicron variant. Hopefully, with continued research, they will be able to make another vaccine that can specifically enhance this T-cell response.

BioQuakes

AP Biology class blog for discussing current research in Biology

Tag: epitopes

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