Multi-Epitope Vaccine Construct for Broad SARS-CoV-2 T-Cell Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing COVID-19 vaccines lack sufficient cellular immune response, are not universally effective, and face challenges in global distribution, especially in low- to middle-income countries, necessitating a vaccine construct that induces a broader and more robust T cell response.
Innovation Solution
A combination of at least eight T cell epitopes from the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein receptor binding domain, designed to bind to multiple HLA class II molecules, is used in a vaccine construct, along with CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes, to enhance immune recognition and coverage across a genetically diverse population.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single T cell epitope is used in the vaccine construct, then the vaccine structure is simple, but the immune response coverage is limited and not universal
Solution Approach 1:
The vaccine construct is segmented into multiple functional components: at least eight different T cell epitopes (including CD4+ and CD8+ epitopes) combined with the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein RBD. This segmentation allows each epitope to target different HLA molecules and T cell populations, achieving broad immune coverage while maintaining a manageable construct structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The epitope combination is designed to achieve universal recognition across genetically diverse populations. By incorporating multiple epitopes that bind to different HLA class I and class II molecules, the vaccine construct becomes multi-functional, capable of inducing T cell responses in over 90% of the global population regardless of their genetic background.
2Ease of manufacture
If existing vaccines are used, then manufacturing and distribution are established, but cellular immune response is insufficient and reinfection occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The vaccine construct uses a composite approach by combining synthetic peptide epitopes with the recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein RBD. This composite structure integrates the advantages of both components: the epitopes provide broad T cell recognition across different HLA types, while the RBD maintains strong antibody response and neutralizing activity, achieving superior protection against reinfection.
3Reliability
If more T cell epitopes are included in the combination, then the cellular immune response is enhanced and population coverage is increased, but the epitope combination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs partial action by selecting and combining only the most critical and representative epitopes (at least eight) that provide sufficient coverage for over 90% of the population. This partial selection achieves the desired immune response enhancement without the excessive complexity of including all possible epitopes, maintaining an optimal balance between effectiveness and manageability.
Data Source
AI summary
COMBINATION OF EPITOPES AND USE THEREOF, VACCINE CONSTRUCT, METHOD OF INDUCING AN IMMUNE RESPONSE, METHOD FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF EPITOPES The present invention refers to a combination of epitopes comprising at least eight T cell epitopes from the SARS-CoV-2, as well as the use of said combination (“set of epitopes”). Said epitopes are widely recognized by CD4+ T-lymphocytes of the overwhelming majority of COVID-19 convalescent individuals.