Predicting the Immunogenicity of T cell epitopes: From HIV to SARS-CoV-2
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.14.095885v2
The study introduces a physics-based learning model that accurately predicts the immunogenicity of Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes derived from various pathogens in relation to Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genotypes, with findings indicating that only a fraction of predicted SARS-CoV-2 epitopes are immunogenic, and that pre-existing CTL immunity against COVID-19 may exist in some individuals due to identical CTL epitopes found in low-pathogenicity coronaviruses.
Keywords:
1. Physics-based learning model
- A model that relies on physics principles to predict or understand phenomena.
2. Immunogenicity
- The ability of a substance to provoke an immune response in the body.
3. Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes
- Specific sequences of amino acids that are recognized by CTLs, a type of immune cell that kills infected or cancerous cells.
4. Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) genotype
- The specific combination of HLA genes an individual possesses. HLA genes code for proteins that play a critical role in the immune system by helping the body distinguish between self and non-self.
5. Immunodominance
- The phenomenon where certain epitopes elicit a stronger immune response compared to others.
6. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- A virus that attacks the immune system and can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
7. SARS-CoV-2
- The virus that causes COVID-19, a respiratory illness that emerged in late 2019.
8. Immunogenic CTL epitopes
- CTL epitopes that are capable of eliciting an immune response.
9. SARS-CoV-2 spike protein
- A protein on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that allows it to enter human cells.
10. Low-pathogenicity coronaviruses
- Coronaviruses that cause mild illness in humans.
11. CTL immunity against COVID-19
- The ability of CTLs to protect against COVID-19 by killing infected cells.