Reliable Identification of SARS-CoV-2-Specific T-Cell Responses

T Cells Take the Lead in COVID-19​

A deeper understanding of viral-specific T-cell responses to COVID-19 is needed to explore vaccine responses, long-term immunity, predict patients at risk, and even prepare for the next pandemic.​

T-cell responses are believed to be important for protection against severe disease through the development of long-term immunity. ​

SARS-CoV-2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are present for at least a year after infection with COVID-19. Functional T cells targeting multiple antigens of SARS-CoV-2 are detected in mild and severe COVID-19, as well as asymptomatic individuals. ​

Frequencies of SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells detected in PBMCs at different time points from a vaccinated convalescent donor with a SARS-CoV-2 Custom MHC I Dextramer® Panel.

Find out more about the study results

Development of COVID-19 Vaccines and Therapeutics​

Understanding the specificity, frequency, and durability of the T-cell response is important for defining correlates of protective immunity and identifying
sub-populations eligible for re-vaccination. ​

Monitoring T-cell responses to a range of epitopes enables researchers to understand which viral proteins (e.g. spike, nucleocapsid) are preferentially targeted by T cells. This information is crucial for vaccine development and may uncover new targets for immunotherapy.​

Reliable Tools for Precision Immune Monitoring​

Dextramer® technology can help you characterize SARS-CoV-2- specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in blood, without missing rare or low-affinity cells, in an easy and reproducible way.​

Monitor virus-specific T cells by flow cytometry using MHC I and II Dextramer® reagents, or choose dCODE Dextramer® reagents for NGS and single-cell multi-omics. ​

We provide pre-defined SARS-CoV-2 Dextramer® Panels, each with a curated selection of validated T-cell epitopes. Alternatively, select your own custom panel.​

SARS-CoV-2 Spike Panel

SARS-CoV-2 A*0201 Panel

SARS-CoV-2 Multi Allele Panel

SARS-CoV-2 Custom Panel

The Panels are Available as

MHC Dextramer®  - for identification of antigen-specific T cells in blood by flow cytometry
dCODE Dextramer® (HiT) - for bulk analysis of antigen-specific T cells by PCR and NGS
dCODE Dextramer® (10x) -  for single-cell multi-omic analysis of antigen-specific T cells to combine information on TCR recognition, TCR sequencing, and gene expression using 10x Chromium Single Cell analysis.
dCODE Dextramer® (RiO) - for single-cell multi-omic analysis of antigen-specific T cells to combine information on TCR recognition, TCR sequencing, and gene expression using BD Rhapsody^TM Single-Cell Analysis.

Download the Panels Overview

Published COVID-19 T-Cell Epitopes​

We want to share a curated list of validated epitopes shown to be recognized by T cells in COVID-19 patients. ​

These immunodominant SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cell epitopes are known to be present in large populations, based on publications and in-house knowledge. ​

Our scientists have found that many of these epitopes are conserved in Omicron and Delta variants, enabling researchers to monitor T-cell immunity across COVID-19 variants.​

We hope this list helps you to select the most suitable epitopes for your SARS-CoV-2 specific T-cells research.​