SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2), also known as novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV, causes fever, severe respiratory illness, and can lead to life-threatening pneumonia. The first cases of this disease, termed COVID-19 for coronavirus disease 2019, have been detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.  

The PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Select pool contains 88 peptides of 9–22 aa in length. 63 of these peptides are MHC class I and 25 peptides are MHC class II–restricted. The peptides originate from structural proteins (S, M, N, E) as well as non-structural proteins.  

The peptides are restricted for the following HLA-molecules: HLA-A*01, A*02, A*03, A*11, A*24, A*29, A*30, A*31, A*68, B*07, B*08, B*15, B*27, B*35, B*40, B*44, B*54, B*58, C*07, DRB1*01, DRB1*03, DRB1*04, DRB1*07, DRB1*11, DRB1*15. 

The in vitro stimulation of SARS-CoV-2–specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells with PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Select causes secretion of effector cytokines and upregulation of activation markers, which then allow the detection and isolation of SARS-CoV-2–specific T cells: 

MACS GMP PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Select: 

• In vitro stimulation of SARS-CoV-2–specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells causes the production of the effector cytokine IFN-gamma. The secretion of IFN-gamma then permits the enrichment of SARS-CoV-2–specific effector/memory T cells with the use of the CliniMACS Cytokine Capture System (IFN-gamma). 
   

Premium-grade PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Select: 

• Detection and analysis of antigen-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ effector/memory T cells in PBMCs by MACS Cytokine Secretion Assays, intracellular cytokine staining, or other technologies.
• Isolation of viable antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cells with the CD154 MicroBead Kit, or of viable CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells using MACS Cytokine Secretion Assay – Cell Enrichment and Detection Kits. Subsequently, cells can be expanded for generation of T cell lines.
• Generation of antigen-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ effector/memory T cells from naive T cell populations.
• Pulsing of antigen-presenting cells, e.g., for research on dendritic cell vaccination. 
   

Quality statement 

MACS GMP Products are manufactured and tested under a quality management system (ISO 13485) and are in compliance with relevant GMP guidelines. They are designed following the recommendations of USP <1043> on ancillary materials. 

Disclaimer 

MACS GMP Products are for research use and ex vivo cell culture processing only, and are not intended for human in vivo applications. For regulatory status in the USA, please contact your local representative.

1. Anft, M. et al. (2020) COVID-19 progression is potentially driven by T cell immunopathogenesis. medRxiv 2020.04.28.20083089. Unrefereed preprint. (doi.org/10.1101/2020.04.28.20083089)
2. Thieme, C. J. et al. (2020) The SARS-CoV-2 T-cell immunity is directed against the spike, membrane, and nucleocapsid protein and associated with COVID 19 severity. medRxiv 2020.05.13.20100636. Unrefereed preprint. (doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.13.20100636)