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SARS-CoV-2 Epitope Mapping on Microarrays Highlights Strong Immune-Response to N Protein Region

Authors :
Angelo Musicò
Roberto Frigerio
Alessandro Mussida
Luisa Barzon
Alessandro Sinigaglia
Silvia Riccetti
Federico Gobbi
Chiara Piubelli
Greta Bergamaschi
Marcella Chiari
Alessandro Gori
Marina Cretich
Source :
Vaccines, Vol 9, Iss 1, p 35 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2021.

Abstract

A workflow for rapid SARS-CoV-2 epitope discovery on peptide microarrays is herein reported. The process started with a proteome-wide screening of immunoreactivity based on the use of a high-density microarray followed by a refinement and validation phase on a restricted panel of probes using microarrays with tailored peptide immobilization through a click-based strategy. Progressively larger, independent cohorts of Covid-19 positive sera were tested in the refinement processes, leading to the identification of immunodominant regions on SARS-CoV-2 spike (S), nucleocapsid (N) protein and Orf1ab polyprotein. A summary study testing 50 serum samples highlighted an epitope of the N protein (region 155–71) providing good diagnostic performance in discriminating Covid-19 positive vs. healthy individuals. Using this epitope, 92% sensitivity and 100% specificity were reached for IgG detection in Covid-19 samples, and no cross-reactivity with common cold coronaviruses was detected. Likewise, IgM immunoreactivity in samples collected within the first month after symptoms onset showed discrimination ability. Overall, epitope 155–171 from N protein represents a promising candidate for further development and rapid implementation in serological tests.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2076393X
Volume :
9
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Vaccines
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.f33392e268534a25b51f765385937ea6
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines9010035