Spike is the most recognized antigen in the whole-blood platform in both acute and convalescent COVID-19 patients
Alessandra Aiello, Saeid Najafi Fard, Elisa Petruccioli, Linda Petrone, Valentina Vanini, Chiara Farroni, Gilda Cuzzi, Assunta Navarra, Gina Gualano, Silvia Mosti, Luca Pierelli, Emanuele Nicastri, Delia Goletti
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To identify the best experimental approach to detect a SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell response using a whole-blood platform. METHODS: Whole-blood from 56 COVID-19 and 23 "NO-COVID-19" individuals were stimulated overnight with different concentrations (0.1 or 1 μg/mL) of SARS-CoV-2 PepTivator® Peptide Pools, including spike (pool S), nucleocapsid (pool N), membrane (pool M), and a MegaPool (MP) of these three peptide pools. ELISA was used to analyse interferon (IFN)-γ levels. RESULTS: T cells, and independently detected of clinical parameters in both hospitalized and recovered patients. CONCLUSIONS: This easy-to-use assay for detecting SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses may be implemented in clinical laboratories as a powerful diagnostic tool.