State of the Art in Epitope Mapping and Opportunities in COVID-19

Abstract

The understanding of any disease calls for studying specific biological structures called epitopes. One important tool recently drawing attention and improving efficiency in both diagnosis and vaccine development is epitope mapping. Several techniques have been developed with the urge to provide precise epitope mapping for use in designing sensitive diagnostic tools and developing epitope-based vaccines (EBVs) as well as therapeutics. In this review, we will discuss the state of the art in epitope mapping with a special emphasis on accomplishments and opportunities in combating COVID-19. These comprise SARS-CoV-2 variant analysis versus the currently available immune-based diagnostic tools and vaccines, immunological profile-based patient stratification, and finally, exploring novel epitope targets for potential prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic agents for COVID-19.

Plain Language Summary

Epitope mapping is an important tool recently improving efficiency in both diagnosis and vaccine development. Several epitope mapping techniques have been developed for designing sensitive diagnostic tools and developing epitope-based vaccines (EBVs) as well as therapeutics. In this review, we will discuss the state of the art in epitope mapping, emphasizing accomplishments and opportunities in combating COVID-19. These comprise SARS-CoV-2 variant analysis versus the currently available immune-based diagnostic tools and vaccines and exploring novel epitope targets for potential prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic agents for COVID-19.

Keywords:

• diagnostic tools
• epitope-based vaccines
• epitope mapping
• host-pathogen interface
• SARS-CoV-2

Author contributions

The idea was conceived by KM Aboshanab. SM Hamed and MM Sakr established the manuscript outline and designed the figures and tables. SM Hamed, MM Sakr, GS El-Housseiny and R Wasfi wrote the manuscript. KM Aboshanab carried out the final revision. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.