Generation of robust resident memory T cells in barrier tissues through skin vaccination

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SUMMARY COVID 19, the lower respiratory disease caused by the 2019 nCov virus, is the latest betacoronavirus to cause epidemic disease in humans. Previously, SARS and MERS, both cause by related viruses, emerged and fell dormant as epidemics. Betacoronaviruses use homologous “Spike” proteins to bind mammalian cells for entry and infection, and most vaccines are being built to generate neutralizing antibodies to the unique 2019 nCov Spike protein. In contrast, we are trying to create a “universal” betacoronavirus vaccine base on T cell immunity, using proteins conserved between all known coronaviruses as immunogens. These proteins, expressed by MVA vectors and delivered by epidermal disruption, should provide broad and durable pulmonary immunity to past, present, and future betacoronavirus threats.