SARS-CoV-2 T Cell Responses Elicited by COVID-19 Vaccines or Infection Are Expected to Remain Robust against Omicron
Syed Faraz Ahmed, Ahmed Abdul Quadeer, Matthew R. McKay
Abstract
Omicron, the most recent SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC), harbours multiple mutations in the spike protein that were not observed in previous VOCs. Initial studies suggest Omicron to substantially reduce the neutralizing capability of antibodies induced from vaccines and previous infection. However, its effect on T cell responses remains to be determined. Here, we assess the effect of Omicron mutations on known T cell epitopes and report data suggesting T cell responses to remain broadly robust against this new variant.
Topics & Concepts
VirologyCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)EpitopeSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)BiologyAntibodyCellT cellImmunologyImmune systemMedicineGeneticsDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)PathologySARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Researchvaccines and immunoinformatics approachesImmunotherapy and Immune Responses