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Pandemic Preparedness Capabilities

Utilising the Meso Scale Discovery multiplex serology platform and development of novel scalable T cell assays for rapid immunophenotyping


PI(s)/Head responsible for the resource:

Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren

Host organisation(s):

Karolinska Institutet

Resource description:

In the immediate aftermath of the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, substantial investments were made in the development of mRNA-based vaccine platforms. While current vaccines have proven highly effective against SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, their potential to provide additional immunity against future high-risk zoonotic coronaviruses remains largely unknown. This project aims to determine the extent to which current immunity induced by SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination can confer cross-protection against related coronaviruses. We hypothesise that individuals with robust SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced immunity will exhibit some cross-protection against, e.g., the ACE2- (used by SARS-CoV-1 and -2) and DPP4-tropic (used by MERS) coronaviruses. To assess this, we will leverage our well-established clinical cohort (COVAXID), and associated biobank, of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine recipients, including both healthy and large groups of immunocompromised individuals, analysing their blood samples for cross-reactive immune responses to multiple other coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-1 and MERS as proxies for emerging coronaviruses. We will utilise biobanked material from the clinical trial COVAXID, sampled from before onset of SARS-CoV mRNA vaccination and infection with repeat samplings (>10 timepoints) over a period of three years (2012-2024). Using the multiplex serology platform (Meso Scale Discovery) at SciLifeLab Uppsala, we will quantify SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine elicited neutralising and binding antibodies against SARS- CoV-1, MERS-CoV, and other related coronaviruses. Results will be followed up with high-dimensional single-cell immunophenotyping to deeply characterize virus-specific T cell and B cell responses. Together, these approaches will elucidate how far current vaccine-induced immunity extends to novel threats by related coronaviruses. A particular emphasis in this respect is studies into vulnerable immunocompromised patient groups. This knowledge will be instrumental in guiding future potential of current SARS-CoV-2 vaccines as well as future vaccine design and preparedness strategies in the face of emerging coronavirus threats.

Contact information:

Hans-Gustaf Ljunggren
Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet
Email: hans-gustaf.ljunggren@ki.se