Molecular Mimicry Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sequence Homology Between SARS-CoV-2 and Autoimmune Diseases Epitopes

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Computational Biology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Molecular mimicry, where foreign and self-peptides share similar epitopes, can trigger autoimmune diseases.
• Infectious agents are implicated in the onset of autoimmune conditions in susceptible individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify potential molecular mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 and human autoimmune disease epitopes using a computational approach.
• To investigate the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and specific autoimmune disorders.

Main Methods:

• Employed a scalable in-silico method to analyze over one billion possible pairs of SARS-CoV-2 and autoimmune disease epitopes.
• Identified 861 epitope pairs based on sequence homology, predicted binding to the same major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule, and high immunogenicity.

Main Results:

• Identified 861 SARS-CoV-2 epitopes with sequence homology to human autoimmune disorder epitopes.
• These epitopes demonstrated predicted binding to the same MHC molecules and high immunogenicity.
• Revealed associations between SARS-CoV-2 infection and autoimmune disorders like type 1 diabetes, autoimmune uveitis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Conclusions:

• The study provides computational evidence supporting molecular mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 and self-epitopes involved in autoimmune diseases.
• Findings suggest SARS-CoV-2 infection may contribute to the development or exacerbation of certain autoimmune conditions.
• The identified epitope pairs warrant further investigation for their role in SARS-CoV-2-associated autoimmunity.