T-cell receptor recognizing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S-2P-derived peptides (TCR)

T-cell receptors (TCRs) recognizing S-2P-derived peptides are specialized immune receptors on the surface of T lymphocytes that specifically bind to fragments of the stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The S-2P designation refers to a prefusion-stabilized spike protein containing two proline substitutions (K986P and V987P), a design utilized in major mRNA and protein-subunit COVID-19 vaccines to enhance immunogenicity (McLellan et al., Science, 2017; Corbett et al., Nature, 2020). These TCRs play a critical role in the adaptive immune response by identifying peptide-MHC complexes on the surface of infected or antigen-presenting cells (Grifoni et al., Cell, 2020). Upon recognition, the TCR triggers intracellular signaling pathways that lead to T-cell activation, proliferation, and the execution of effector functions such as the killing of virally infected cells or the orchestration of B-cell antibody responses (Sahin et al., Nature, 2020). In a clinical context, these receptors are the primary mediators of cellular immunity induced by COVID-19 vaccination and are targets for monitoring vaccine efficacy and developing TCR-based immunotherapies. Understanding the repertoire and affinity of these TCRs is essential for evaluating long-term protection against emerging viral variants.

Other names

SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific T-cell receptorAnti-S-2P TCRSpike-reactive T-cell receptorSARS-CoV-2 S-2P TCR

Recognition of S-2P-derived peptides presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules, triggering T-cell signaling, proliferation, and effector functions to eliminate SARS-CoV-2 infected cells.