Thesis

Immunogenicity Validation of Predicted HLA Class II-binding Peptides Derived from SARS-CoV-2 Structural Proteins on Indonesian Population

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SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompted rapid vaccine
development. However, emerging variants challenge antibody-mediated protection. Targeting T-cell
immunity is promising due to its crucial role in eliminating infected cells and the difficulty of viral
evasion via HLA diversity. Despite this potential, there is a lack of HLA studies and SARS-CoV-2 epitope
mapping in the Indonesian population.
Methods: This study enrolled 60 participants from the Indonesian population to evaluate the
immunogenicity of 10 SARS-CoV-2 peptides that were predicted to bind to HLA class II alleles of the
Indonesian population. Six peptides were from nucleocapsid protein (NP), two from spike (S), one
from envelope (E), and one from membrane (M). Three peptides (NP_263-280, S_313-330, and
E_46-60) were reported in the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB). Immunogenicity was validated using
ELISpot IFN-γ assay on 48 PBMC samples. ELISA measured anti-SARS-CoV-2 (N) IgG antibody levels on
56 serum samples.
Results: ELISpot validated the immunogenicity of the 10 peptides, with the newly identified epitope
NP_104-122 emerging as a promising representative epitope for the Indonesian population. The
ELISpot assay displayed a trend of T cell increase over time, potentially indicating unreported
reinfections. Interestingly, while T-cell responses increased over time, there was a significant decline
in antibody concentrations.
Conclusion: This research establishes the groundwork for SARS-CoV-2 epitope mapping in
Indonesians through successfully validating SARS-CoV-2 peptides' immunogenicity. The findings
emphasize the importance of T cell-mediated long-term immunity in combating SARS-CoV-2,
especially in the face of emerging variants that may evade antibody responses.

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Availability

Detail Information

Series Title

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Call Number

BM 24-032

Publisher

i3L, Jakarta : i3L Press., 2024

Collation

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Language

English

ISBN/ISSN

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Classification

NONE

Content Type

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Media Type

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Carrier Type

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Edition

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Subject(s)

T-cell mediated immunity
SARS-CoV-2 peptide
peptide immunogenicity validation
ELISpot IFN-γ assay
Indonesian HLA

Specific Detail Info

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Statement of Responsibility

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