SARS-CoV-2-identical protein regions found in mammalian coronaviruses have immunogenic potential and can imply cross-protection

Abstract

Coronaviruses are known to infect a wide range of mammals. In humans, coronaviruses have been responsible for causing the common cold. The immune response against common cold coronaviruses appears to elicit a cross-protective response to SARS-CoV-2. This study identified protein regions in the mammalian coronaviruses' proteome that are identical to those of SARS-CoV-2. Using bioinformatics analysis, the study predicted the involvement of SARS-CoV-2-identical protein regions, identified in mammalian coronaviruses, in antigen-presenting processes and their ability to elicit immune responses. The SARS-CoV-2-identical protein regions were predominantly found in the proteomes of betacoronaviruses, with less prevalence in alphacoronaviruses. Alphacoronaviruses, such as FCoV in domestic felines and MCoV in minks, are known to infect species highly susceptible to SARS-CoV-2. In contrast, betacoronaviruses infect mammals with lower susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, including dogs, mice, and farmed animals. Furthermore, betacoronaviruses exhibited a higher number of peptides with an increased potential for efficient presentation during the antigen-presenting process, indicating their greater immunogenicity. Conversely, the SW1 gammacoronavirus showed a lower count of SARS-CoV-2 protein regions and a reduced potential for efficient antigen presentation. The results suggested that the elevated number of SARS-CoV-2 identical stretches found in betacoronaviruses may provide potential cross-protection between SARS-CoV-2 and mammalian betacoronaviruses. This cross-protection could be similar to that observed between human coronaviruses causing the common cold and SARS-CoV-2. The limited numbers observed in the proteomes of FCoV, MCoV, and SW1-CoV may offer an explanation for the susceptibility of cats and minks to SARS-CoV-2, as well as a potential vulnerability in cetaceans.