IMMUNOLOGY2026™ Conference Recordings For Attendees-Toward a Pan-Arenavirus T-cell Vaccine: Identification and Preclinical Evaluation of Conserved Epitope constructs

Toward a Pan-Arenavirus T-cell Vaccine: Identification and Preclinical Evaluation of Conserved Epitope constructs

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Video Summary

Dr. Tze-Yin Wong presented research on T cell responses to bivalent COVID-19 vaccination and conserved epitopes across beta coronaviruses. Her team identified conserved T cell epitope regions in spike protein that can recognize SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV-1, and MERS. In a NIH clinical trial of 56 vaccinated donors, bivalent vaccination did not increase overall T cell magnitude, cross-reactivity, or conserved-epitope boosting. However, CDER-specific T cells remained functionally strong, producing more interferon gamma without signs of exhaustion or major memory changes. The findings suggest conserved epitopes could improve future pan-coronavirus T cell vaccines.

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Date April 16, 2026 4:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Room 102

Session Innovations Targeting Adaptive Immune Mechanisms against Viral Pathogens

Speaker Ziyin Wang

Track Vaccines and Immunotherapy (VAC)

Year 2026

Keywords

bivalent COVID-19 vaccination

T cell responses

conserved epitopes

beta coronaviruses

pan-coronavirus vaccines

April 16, 2026 4:15 PM - 4:30 PM

102

Innovations Targeting Adaptive Immune Mechanisms against Viral Pathogens

Ziyin Wang

Vaccines and Immunotherapy (VAC)

2026