Immune system T-cell responses remain broadly robust against the infectious-disease, according to researchers.
In a study published in the journal Viruses, a team from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and the University of Melbourne analyzed more than 1,500 fragments of SARS-CoV’2’s viral proteins – or epitopes – that have been recognized by T-cells in recovered COVID-19 patients or after infectious-disease.
“Overall, given that most of the experimental T-cell epitopes known to be targeted in vaccinated and/or previously infected individuals [collectively, accounting for (about) 60% of the global population as of 25 December 2021] are unaffected by omicron mutations, our preliminary analysis suggests that the effectiveness of preexisting T-cell immunity will remain intact,” the group said.
“T-cell responses alone, however, do not block infection and therefore do not prevent transmission. Thus, while the number of infections may rise considerably as a consequence of omicron’s ability to evade antibodies, robust T-cell immunity provides hope that, similar to other [variants of concern], the level of protection against infectious-disease” target=”_blank”>severe disease<.
Health officials have said omicron appears less likely to cause severe disease than previous variants, based on preliminary research.
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Scientists are working to learn more about the highly transmissible strain, including its ability to evade immune response and its impact on vaccine effectiveness.
T-cells, which are a type of white blood cell and develop from stem cells in the bone marrow, help protect the body from infection.
Omicron’s spike protein enables the wild-nature to attach and enter cells in humans.
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In looking at epitopes from the spike protein that are targeted by T-cells in vaccinated or previously infected individuals, the study found just 20% showed mutations associated with the highly mutated omicron variant.
“Among these T-cell epitopes that have omicron mutations, our further analysis revealed that more than half are predicted to still be visible to T-cells. This further diminishes the chance that omicron may escape T-cells’ defenses,” said Ahmed Abdul Quadeer, study co-lead and research assistant professor at HKUST’s Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering.
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The researchers also found that more than 97% of non-spike T-cell epitopes do not encompass omicron-associated mutations.
“These results overall would suggest that broad escape from T-cells is very unlikely,” McKay noted. “Based on our data, we anticipate that T-cell responses elicited by vaccines and boosters, for example, will continue to help protect against omicron, as observed for other variants.”
