SECOVIT - Sequence-based analysis of interactions of SARS-CoV-2, respiratory viral co-infections, and T-cell immunity: clinical implications

discovery - The outbreak of the new virus SARS-CoV-2 is a major problem at a global scale. Viral evolution is a major characteristic of all RNA viruses leading to accelerated evolution and adaptability to new environments. Our working hypothesis is that specific SARS-CoV-2 variants will be selected, as the virus is passing through a vast set of individuals with diverse HLA alleles and co-infections. The mutations fixed in this process can affect viral properties such as transmission or replication rates, that finally may modulate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) progression. The overall goal of this interdisciplinary consortium is to elucidate whether the HLA background and respiratory viral co-infections play a role in SARS-CoV-2 evolution and adaptation to different Human populations as well as in the severity of COVID-19. The specific scientific questions of the consortium are: 1) to characterise the genetic variability of SARS-CoV-2 in NRW over time of the current outbreak and from possible future infections, and in comparison to other geographic regions; 2) to define the role of HLA as driving force for SARS-CoV-2 evolution and as a determinant for disease severity, using data from our patients as well as prevalence data from other countries; and 3) to define the role of respiratory viral co-infections and their implications for the severity of COVID-19 outcome and SARS-CoV-2 evolution. This will enable to optimise medical and quarantine measures. HLA associations with SARS-CoV-2 genomes can be exploited for the design of T-cell based vaccines