SARS-CoV-2 Gut-Targeted Epitopes: Sequence Similarity and Cross-Reactivity Join Together for Molecular Mimicry

Author:

Lerner Aaron12ORCID,Benzvi Carina1,Vojdani Aristo3ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Chaim Sheba Medical Center, The Zabludowicz Research Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel

2. Research Department, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel

3. Immunosciences Lab., Inc., Los Angeles, CA 90035, USA

Abstract

The gastrointestinal tract can be heavily infected by SARS-CoV-2. Being an auto-immunogenic virus, SARS-CoV-2 represents an environmental factor that might play a role in gut-associated autoimmune diseases. However, molecular mimicry between the virus and the intestinal epitopes is under-investigated. The present study aims to elucidate sequence similarity between viral antigens and human enteric sequences, based on known cross-reactivity. SARS-CoV-2 epitopes that cross-react with human gut antigens were explored, and sequence alignment was performed against self-antigens implicated in enteric autoimmune conditions. Experimental SARS-CoV-2 epitopes were aggregated from the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), while enteric antigens were obtained from the UniProt Knowledgebase. A Pairwise Local Alignment tool, EMBOSS Matcher, was employed for the similarity search. Sequence similarity and targeted cross-reactivity were depicted between 10 pairs of immunoreactive epitopes. Similar pairs were found in four viral proteins and seven enteric antigens related to ulcerative colitis, primary biliary cholangitis, celiac disease, and autoimmune hepatitis. Antibodies made against the viral proteins that were cross-reactive with human gut antigens are involved in several essential cellular functions. The relationship and contribution of those intestinal cross-reactive epitopes to SARS-CoV-2 or its potential contribution to gut auto-immuno-genesis are discussed.

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,Medicine (miscellaneous)

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