Innovative Pipeline for Universal Vaccines Could Broaden Protection Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Other Viruses

A groundbreaking research initiative aims to transform vaccine development by creating universal vaccines capable of combating a wide array of viruses within large viral families, including current and future SARS-CoV-2 variants. Traditionally, vaccines target single pathogens; for example, vaccines for chicken pox solely defend against varicella-zoster virus. However, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has spurred scientists to explore broader protective strategies.

Led by Alba Grifoni, Ph.D., at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), researchers have developed a novel pipeline to accelerate the creation of such universal vaccines. Published in the journal Cell, the study describes a method to identify conserved viral regions—epitopes—that are recognized by T cells across different coronavirus strains, including common cold coronaviruses, MERS, and SARS. These shared epitopes could be targeted by vaccines to induce broad T cell immunity, potentially neutralizing emerging variants and related viruses.

Many viruses in large families preserve specific protein sequences, known as conserved epitopes, which are less prone to mutation. By mapping these regions, scientists can design vaccines that train T cells to recognize and respond to a broad spectrum of viruses, providing a more resilient form of immunity compared to antibodies alone. T cells are particularly valuable because they tend to remain effective even as the virus mutates.

To facilitate this discovery, the team utilized the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), a resource developed by LJI scientists, analyzing over 200 viral epitopes through collaboration with the J. Craig Venter Institute. Using artificial intelligence (AI) and bioinformatic tools, they compared epitope similarities across coronavirus species, revealing key targets for T cell responses.

The research underscores the importance of inducing robust T cell immunity alongside neutralizing antibodies. Since T cells recognize multiple viral proteins, their responses are more stable against viral evolution, offering enhanced protection against current and future variants. This approach could also be extended beyond coronaviruses to other respiratory and hemorrhagic viruses, such as measles, Nipah, Lassa, and Junin viruses.

By establishing this comprehensive pipeline, scientists aim to fill existing knowledge gaps in viral immunity, enabling rapid development of broad-spectrum vaccines. Grifoni emphasizes that this process not only promises better defenses against COVID-19 variants but also offers a pathway for preempting pandemics caused by other rapidly evolving viruses. The research represents a significant step toward resilient, universal immunization strategies for global health safety.