Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2-Specific T-Cell Activation with a Rapid On-Chip IGRA

Abstract

Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) that measure pathogen-specific T-cell response rates can provide a more reliable estimate of protection than specific antibody levels but have limited potential for widespread use due to their workflow, personnel, and instrumentation demands. The major vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 have demonstrated substantial efficacy against all of its current variants, but approaches are needed to determine how these vaccines will perform against future variants, as they arise, to inform vaccine and public health policies. Here we describe a rapid, sensitive, nanolayer polylysine-integrated microfluidic chip IGRA read by a fluorescent microscope that has a 5 h sample-to-answer time and uses ∼25 μL of a fingerstick whole blood sample. Results from this assay correlated with those of a comparable clinical IGRA when used to evaluate the T-cell response to SARS-CoV-2 peptides in a population of vaccinated and/or infected individuals. Notably, this streamlined and inexpensive assay is suitable for high-throughput analyses in resource-limited settings for other infectious diseases.

Microfluidic strategies for biomimetic lung chip establishment and SARS-CoV2 study

“…The rapid spread, transmission, and evolution of SARS-CoV2 have increased the risks of pandemics [ 27 , 113 , 114 ]. Developing effective antiviral drugs and vaccines has become increasingly complex with the emergence of new viral strains.…”

“…Finally, on-chip multi-omics and high-resolution imaging devices can be used to analyze ultra-early-stage viral infection detection, virus screening, organopathy, and secondary and systemic diseases [ [143] , [144] , [145] ]. Hu's group [ 113 ] recently designed an integrated on-chip interferon-gamma release analyzer incorporating a fluorescent microscope to evaluate SARS-CoV2-specific T-cell response in vaccinated or infected populations. With a sample-to-answer time of only 5 h and a blood sample size of approximately 25 μL, this method is suitable for high-throughput analyses of SARS-CoV2 in a streamlined and rapid detection mode [ 113 ].…”

“…Hu's group [ 113 ] recently designed an integrated on-chip interferon-gamma release analyzer incorporating a fluorescent microscope to evaluate SARS-CoV2-specific T-cell response in vaccinated or infected populations. With a sample-to-answer time of only 5 h and a blood sample size of approximately 25 μL, this method is suitable for high-throughput analyses of SARS-CoV2 in a streamlined and rapid detection mode [ 113 ]. We anticipate that with these high-tech collaborative strategies, point-of-care systems may become possible, enabling people to detect early disease and assess the progression of the disease at home.…”