The scientific community is relentlessly working to fight SARS‑CoV‑2. Miltenyi Biotec stands committed to assisting those researchers in getting on top of COVID-19.
SARS-CoV-2 PepTivator Peptide Pools can be used to load antigen-presenting cells and to stimulate SARS-CoV-2–specific T cells. The T cells can then be detected and/or isolated for further research, including analysis of T cell immunity after vaccination or monitoring the immune status after infection. We provide different peptide pools, covering the sequence of major structural SARS-CoV-2 proteins.
Research-grade SARS‑CoV‑2 PepTivator Peptide Pools:
New:
Beyond T cells – have a look at our antigens for SARS-CoV-2 research.
In these exemplary data, the mix of SARS-CoV-2 PepTivator Peptide Pools (Prot_N, Prot_M, and Prot_S) was used to stimulate cells in PBMC samples, whereas the PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Select was used to stimulate T cells in whole blood samples. The results illustrate that SARS-CoV-2–reactive T cells can be detected in PBMC samples as well as directly in whole blood upon stimulation with PepTivator Peptide Pools.
Please note that data are derived from a single experiment and do not include multiple donors. Thus, the results should be considered as exemplary only and not as representative. Results may vary dependent on donor, time since infection, and used assays.
Selected references:
More references using our SARS-CoV-2 PepTivator Peptide Pools can be found in the reference section below.
Overview of SARS‑CoV‑2 PepTivator Peptide Pools
SARS-CoV-2 lineage | Protein | Sequence part | Quality grade | Product name |
Wild type (Wuhan variant) | Spike protein | Predicted immunodominant sequences | Research grade | PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S |
Complete N-terminal S1 domain | Research grade | PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S1 | ||
Parts of the C-terminal S2 domain | Research grade | PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S+ | ||
Complete sequence of the mature protein | Research grade | PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S Complete | ||
Nucleoprotein | Complete sequence | Research grade | PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_N | |
Membrane protein | Complete sequence | Research grade | PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_M | |
Whole proteome (structural and non-structural proteins) | Immunodominant sequences | Premium grade & MACS GMP | PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Select | |
B.1.1.7. (UK variant) | Spike protein | Mutated regions (and WT reference) | Research grade | PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S B.1.1.7 |
Nucleoprotein | Mutated regions (and WT reference) | Research grade | PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_N B.1.1.7 | |
B.1.351 (South Africa variant) | Spike protein | Mutated regions (and WT reference) | Research grade | PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S B.1.351 |
The surface or spike glycoprotein (S) plays a critical role in coronavirus infection as it is crucial for recognition and fusion of the virus with the host cell membrane. Two different functional domains of the S protein are responsible for these individual processes: The S1 domain contains the surface binding site to the host cell receptor, the ACE2 receptor, whereas membrane fusion is mediated via the S2 domain. Furthermore, cleavage at the boundary of the S1 and S2 domains (aa residues 685 and 686) via cellular proteases primes the protein for entry into the host cell. Upon fusion of the viral envelope and the host cell membrane, the viral genome enters the host cell and viral replication starts.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the S protein and especially the S1 domain have been considered a potential key target for vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostic approaches. In fact, thanks to the relentless work of the scientific community, several vaccines based on the spike protein are available today and more are under development.
We offer different PepTivator Peptide Pools for the spike protein:
PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S covers selected immunodominant sequence domains of the spike protein (aa 304–338, 421–475, 492–519, 683–707, 741–770, 785–802, and 885–1273; GenBank MN908947.3, Protein QHD43416.1).
PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S1 spans the complete N-terminal S1 domain of the spike protein (aa 1–692).
PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S+ spans a part of the C-terminal S2 domain (aa 689–895) and can be combined with SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S to cover the complete S2 domain (and parts of the S1 domain: aa 304–338, 421–475, and 492–519).
Newly available: PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S Complete covers the complete sequence of the mature spike protein (omitting the first four amino acids of the N-terminal signal peptide). For your convenience, this product is optimized for water solubility and is delivered in one vial.
Prot_N stands for nucleoprotein (N), also known as nucleocapsid protein. The N protein has multiple functions in the coronavirus replication cycle. Its primary function is viral genome packaging. Furthermore, it is involved in virus transcription and interacts with the viral membrane during virion assembly.
The N protein has been suggested as a possible target for vaccine development (PMID: 32106567).
The PepTivator SARS‑CoV‑2 Prot_N covers the complete sequence of the SARS‑CoV‑2 N protein (GenBank MN908947.3, Protein QHD43423.2).
Prot_M stands for membrane glycoprotein (M). The M protein is the most abundant structural protein in the coronavirus envelope and thus defines viral morphogenesis. Additionally, the M protein is crucial for efficient virion assembly and involved in viral budding.
The M protein has been suggested as a possible target for vaccine development (PMID: 16423399).
The PepTivator SARS‑CoV‑2 Prot_M covers the complete sequence of the SARS‑CoV‑2 M protein (GenBank MN908947.3, Protein QHD43419.1).
All of the above-mentioned PepTivator SARS‑CoV‑2 products are available in two sizes (6 nmol and 60 nmol per peptide per vial) in research-grade quality.
Our PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Select covers selected immunodominant epitopes of the whole SARS-CoV-2 proteome. The peptides originate from structural proteins (spike protein, membrane protein, nucleoprotein, and envelope protein) as well as non-structural proteins. The included MHC class I– and MHC class II–restricted peptides have a length between 9–22 aa and enable the stimulation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.
As illustrated by the above-presented data (see “Exemplary application data of SARS‑CoV‑2 PepTivator Peptide Pools”), a strong T cell immune response can be observed upon stimulation with the PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Select.
PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Select is available in two quality grades:
Premium grade, being perfectly suited for your translational and basic research with a size of 6 nmol/peptide and an overall peptide purity of >80%. The product is manufactured and tested under a quality management system (ISO 9001).
MACS GMP, supporting your clinical research with a size of 60 nmol/peptide and an overall peptide purity of >90%. The sterile-bottled product (tested according to Ph. Eur.) is manufactured and tested under a quality management system (ISO 13485) and in compliance with relevant GMP guidelines. Designed following the recommendations of USP <1043> on ancillary materials.
Find out more about our MACS GMP PepTivator Peptide Pools and their application here.
Following ordinary viral evolution, SARS-CoV-2 accumulates mutations over time, leading to new virus variants. With the recently emerged B.1.1.7 lineage (UK variant) and the B.1.351 lineage (South Afrika variant), it was first reported that mutations have affected immune relevant parts of structural virus proteins. Both lineages have been found to be more infectious than former variants. They have become the dominant strains in the UK and South Afrika, respectively, and infections with these new variants have been reported in different countries worldwide.
We offer PepTivator Peptide Pools covering the mutated sequences of the structural proteins of the new SARS-CoV-2 variants (mutation pools). They can be used to supplement PepTivator Peptide Pools based on the Wuhan variant (PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S, Prot_S1, Prot_S+, Prot_N, or Select) to ensure that the immune response towards different virus lineages is detected upon stimulation. Besides the mutation pools, we also offer the respective WT reference pools, including the homologous peptides of the Wuhan variant (WT) without mutation. Thus, comparison of the T cell immune response upon stimulation with the mutation versus reference pools can be used to detect mutation-specific T cell responses.
B.1.1.7 lineage (UK variant)
Compared to the Wuhan variant (wild type (WT)) of SARS-CoV-2, the B.1.1.7 lineage, also known as VUI202012/01 or VOC202012/01, displays mutations in the nucleoprotein and spike protein. The respective sequences are available in the genome data base GISAID, e.g., reference sequence EPI_ISL_756151.
B.1.1.7 spike protein
In total, 10 mutations occurred in the spike protein of the B.1.1.7 lineage (deletion 69, deletion 70, deletion 144, N501Y, A570D, D614G, P681H, T716I, S982A, D1118H) compared to the variant first discovered in Wuhan (WT) (reference genome GenBank MN908947.3). Of particular interest are the N501Y mutation in the receptor binding domain (RBD), as it influences the binding of the virus to the host cell, and the D614G mutation, as it increases the transmissibility of the virus. Our PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S B.1.1.7 Mutation Pool contains 34 peptides covering all of the above-mentioned mutations of the spike protein of the B.1.1.7 lineage. PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S B.1.1.7 WT Reference Pool consists of the homologous peptides of the Wuhan WT without mutation.
B.1.1.7 nucleoprotein
In total, 4 mutations occurred in the nucleoprotein of the B.1.1.7 lineage (D3L, R203K, G204R, S235F) compared to the Wuhan variant (WT) (reference genome GenBank MN908947.3). Our PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_N B.1.1.7 Mutation Pool contains 9 peptides covering all of the above-mentioned mutations of the nucleoprotein of the B.1.1.7 lineage. PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_N B.1.1.7 WT Reference Pool consists of the homologous peptides of the Wuhan WT without mutation.
B.1.351 lineage (South Africa variant)
Compared to the Wuhan variant (wild type (WT)) of SARS-CoV-2, the B.1.351 lineage, also known as variant 501Y.V2 or VOC-202012/02, displays mutations in the spike protein. The respective sequences are available in the genome data base GISAID and the mutations listed below are taken from EPI_ISL_861709.
B.1.351 spike protein
In total, 10 mutations occurred in the spike protein of the B.1.351 lineage (D80A, D215G, 242 deletion, 243 deletion, 244 deletion, K417N, E484K, N501Y, D614G, A701V) compared to the Wuhan variant (WT) (reference genome GenBank MN908947.3). Our PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S B.1.351 Mutation Pool contains 30 peptides covering all of the above-mentioned mutations of the spike protein of the B.1.351 lineage. PepTivator SARS-CoV-2 Prot_S B.1.351 WT Reference Pool consists of the homologous peptides of the Wuhan WT without mutation.
The products for the mutation and reference pools are available in research grade with a size of 6 nmol/peptide.
Human T cell immunity – CD4+ and CD8+ T cell response
Human CD4+ T cell response
Human CD8+ T cell response
Cell therapy
Animal models, immunization and vaccination research
PepTivator® Peptide Pools consist of short 15-mer peptides with 11-amino-acid overlaps, covering the amino acid sequence of a particular virus-, tumor-, or auto-antigen.
They bind to MHC class I as well as MHC class II complexes and thus are suitable for the antigen-specific stimulation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Products containing 6 nmol per peptide are sufficient to stimulate up to 10⁸ cells and products containing 60 nmol per peptide are sufficient to stimulate up to 10⁹ cells.
We offer PepTivator Peptide Pools in three quality grades:
Research grade: Select from a broad range of antigens with an average purity of 70% – the perfect choice for your basic research.
Premium grade: A selection of individually purified (purity >80%) and endotoxin-tested peptides – perfectly suited for your translational and basic research.
MACS GMP Grade: Sterile-bottled peptides (tested according to Ph. Eur) with an overall peptide purity of >90%. Manufactured and tested under a quality management system (ISO 13485) and in compliance with relevant GMP guidelines – an excellent fit for the development of clinical applications.
Virus-specific PepTivator Peptide Pools can be used:
If you are interested in virus-specific PepTivator Products besides SARS-CoV-2, please have a look here.
Find a complete workflow to activate, isolate, and detect virus-specific T cells here.
For the detection of SARS-CoV-2–reactive T cells, we offer an all-in-one kit including a PepTivator Peptide Pool of your choice as well as optimized staining panels and protocol. Get more product information here.
Protocols:
The following protocols are designed for the 96-well plate format (PepTivators HT). You can adapt the protocols to the standard vial sizes of PepTivator Peptide Pools by resuspending the product as described in the data sheet and applying 2 µL/well (of a 96 well plate):
To request a quote for our SARS‑CoV‑2 PepTivator Peptide Pools, please fill in the contact form below and we will come back to you: