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Hsieh CL, Leist SR, Miller EH, Zhou L, Powers JM, Tse AL, Wang A, West A, Zweigart MR, Schisler JC, Jangra RK, Chandran K, Baric RS, McLellan JS. Prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 S2-only antigen provides protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1553. [PMID: 38378768 PMCID: PMC10879192 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45404-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Ever-evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have diminished the effectiveness of therapeutic antibodies and vaccines. Developing a coronavirus vaccine that offers a greater breadth of protection against current and future VOCs would eliminate the need to reformulate COVID-19 vaccines. Here, we rationally engineer the sequence-conserved S2 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and characterize the resulting S2-only antigens. Structural studies demonstrate that the introduction of interprotomer disulfide bonds can lock S2 in prefusion trimers, although the apex samples a continuum of conformations between open and closed states. Immunization with prefusion-stabilized S2 constructs elicits broadly neutralizing responses against several sarbecoviruses and protects female BALB/c mice from mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 lethal challenge and partially protects female BALB/c mice from mouse-adapted SARS-CoV lethal challenge. These engineering and immunogenicity results should inform the development of next-generation pan-coronavirus therapeutics and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Lin Hsieh
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Sarah R Leist
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Emily Happy Miller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
- Department of Medicine-Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Ling Zhou
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - John M Powers
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Alexandra L Tse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Albert Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Ande West
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Mark R Zweigart
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jonathan C Schisler
- McAllister Heart Institute and Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Rohit K Jangra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Kartik Chandran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Ralph S Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jason S McLellan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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2
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Wang X, Sun L, Liu Z, Xing L, Zhu Y, Xu W, Xia S, Lu L, Jiang S. An engineered recombinant protein containing three structural domains in SARS-CoV-2 S2 protein has potential to act as a pan-human coronavirus entry inhibitor or vaccine antigen. Emerg Microbes Infect 2023; 12:2244084. [PMID: 37534910 PMCID: PMC10424610 DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2244084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 07/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
The threat to global health caused by three highly pathogenic human coronaviruses (HCoV), SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, calls for the development of pan-HCoV therapeutics and vaccines. This study reports the design and engineering of a recombinant protein designated HR1LS. It contains three linked molecules, each consisting of three structural domains, including a heptad repeat 1 (HR1), a central helix (CH), and a stem helix (SH) region, in the S2 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. It was found that HR1LS protein automatically formed a trimer able to bind with heptad repeat 2 (HR2) region in the SARS-CoV-2 S2 subunit, thus potently inhibiting HCoV fusion and entry into host cells. Furthermore, immunization of mice with HR1LS, when combined with CF501 adjuvant, resulted in the production of neutralizing antibodies against infection of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, as well as SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63 and MjHKU4r-CoV-1. These results suggest that HR1LS is a promising candidate for further development as a novel HR1-trimer-based pan-HCoV entry inhibitor or vaccine for the treatment and prevention of infection by SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, but also other HCoVs with the potential to cause future emerging and re-emerging infectious coronavirus diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinling Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lujia Sun
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zezhong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Pharmacology & Key Laboratory of Smart Drug Delivery, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lixiao Xing
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yun Zhu
- National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shuai Xia
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microbes and Infection, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, The Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, People’s Republic of China
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3
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Balinsky CA, Jiang L, Jani V, Cheng Y, Zhang Z, Belinskaya T, Qiu Q, Long TK, Schilling MA, Jenkins SA, Corson KS, Martin NJ, Letizia AG, Hontz RD, Sun P. Antibodies to S2 domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in Moderna mRNA vaccinated subjects sustain antibody-dependent NK cell-mediated cell cytotoxicity against Omicron BA.1. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1266829. [PMID: 38077368 PMCID: PMC10702584 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1266829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccination with the primary two-dose series of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA protects against infection with the ancestral strain, and limits the presentation of severe disease after re-infection by multiple variants of concern (VOC), including Omicron, despite the lack of a strong neutralizing response to these variants. We compared antibody responses in serum samples collected from mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccinated subjects to identify mechanisms of immune escape and cross-protection. Using pseudovirus constructs containing domain-specific amino acid changes representative of Omicron BA.1, combined with domain competition and RBD-antibody depletion, we showed that RBD antibodies were primarily responsible for virus neutralization and variant escape. Antibodies to NTD played a less significant role in antibody neutralization but acted along with RBD to enhance neutralization. S2 of Omicron BA.1 had no impact on neutralization escape, suggesting it is a less critical domain for antibody neutralization; however, it was as capable as S1 at eliciting IgG3 responses and NK-cell mediated, antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC). Antibody neutralization and ADCC activities to RBD, NTD, and S1 were all prone to BA.1 escape. In contrast, ADCC activities to S2 resisted BA.1 escape. In conclusion, S2 antibodies showed potent ADCC function and resisted Omicron BA.1 escape, suggesting that S2 contributes to cross-protection against Omicron BA.1. In line with its conserved nature, S2 may hold promise as a vaccine target against future variants of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey A. Balinsky
- Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Le Jiang
- Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Vihasi Jani
- Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Zhiwen Zhang
- Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Tatyana Belinskaya
- Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Qi Qiu
- Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Megan A. Schilling
- Virology and Emerging Infectious Department, U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit SOUTH, Lima, Peru
| | - Sarah A. Jenkins
- Diagnostics and Surveillance Department, Naval Medical Research Command, Silver Spring, MD, United States
| | - Karen S. Corson
- US Naval Medical Research Unit-INDO PACIFIC, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | | | - Robert D. Hontz
- US Naval Medical Research Unit-INDO PACIFIC, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Peifang Sun
- Diagnostics and Surveillance Department, Naval Medical Research Command, Silver Spring, MD, United States
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Mittal N, Kumar S, Rajmani RS, Singh R, Lemoine C, Jakob V, Bj S, Jagannath N, Bhat M, Chakraborty D, Pandey S, Jory A, Sa SS, Kleanthous H, Dubois P, Ringe RP, Varadarajan R. Enhanced protective efficacy of a thermostable RBD-S2 vaccine formulation against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:161. [PMID: 37880298 PMCID: PMC10600342 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00755-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
With the rapid emergence of variants of concern (VOC), the efficacy of currently licensed vaccines has reduced drastically. VOC mutations largely occur in the S1 subunit of Spike. The S2 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 is conserved and thus more likely to elicit broadly reactive immune responses that could improve protection. However, the contribution of the S2 subunit in improving the overall efficacy of vaccines remains unclear. Therefore, we designed, and evaluated the immunogenicity and protective potential of a stabilized SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) fused to a stabilized S2. Immunogens were expressed as soluble proteins with approximately fivefold higher purified yield than the Spike ectodomain and formulated along with Squalene-in-water emulsion (SWE) adjuvant. Immunization with S2 alone failed to elicit a neutralizing immune response, but significantly reduced lung viral titers in mice challenged with the heterologous Beta variant. In hamsters, SWE-formulated RS2 (a genetic fusion of stabilized RBD with S2) showed enhanced immunogenicity and efficacy relative to corresponding RBD and Spike formulations. Despite being based on the ancestral Wuhan strain of SARS-CoV-2, RS2 elicited broad neutralization, including against Omicron variants (BA.1, BA.5 and BF.7), and the clade 1a WIV-1 and SARS-CoV-1 strains. RS2 elicited sera showed enhanced competition with both S2 directed and RBD Class 4 directed broadly neutralizing antibodies, relative to RBD and Spike elicited sera. When lyophilized, RS2 retained antigenicity and immunogenicity even after incubation at 37 °C for a month. The data collectively suggest that the RS2 immunogen is a promising modality to combat SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Mittal
- Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560012, India
| | - Sahil Kumar
- Virology Unit, Institute of Microbial Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Chandigarh, 160036, India
| | - Raju S Rajmani
- Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560012, India
| | - Randhir Singh
- Mynvax Private Limited; 3rd Floor, Brigade MLR Centre, No.50, Vani Vilas Road, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, 560004, India
| | - Céline Lemoine
- Vaccine Formulation Institute; Rue du Champ-Blanchod 4, 1228, Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland
| | - Virginie Jakob
- Vaccine Formulation Institute; Rue du Champ-Blanchod 4, 1228, Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland
| | - Sowrabha Bj
- Mynvax Private Limited; 3rd Floor, Brigade MLR Centre, No.50, Vani Vilas Road, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, 560004, India
| | - Nayana Jagannath
- Mynvax Private Limited; 3rd Floor, Brigade MLR Centre, No.50, Vani Vilas Road, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, 560004, India
| | - Madhuraj Bhat
- Mynvax Private Limited; 3rd Floor, Brigade MLR Centre, No.50, Vani Vilas Road, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, 560004, India
| | - Debajyoti Chakraborty
- Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560012, India
| | - Suman Pandey
- Mynvax Private Limited; 3rd Floor, Brigade MLR Centre, No.50, Vani Vilas Road, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru, 560004, India
| | - Aurélie Jory
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, 560065, India
| | - Suba Soundarya Sa
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bengaluru, 560065, India
| | | | - Patrice Dubois
- Vaccine Formulation Institute; Rue du Champ-Blanchod 4, 1228, Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland
| | - Rajesh P Ringe
- Virology Unit, Institute of Microbial Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Chandigarh, 160036, India.
| | - Raghavan Varadarajan
- Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, 560012, India.
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5
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Park J, Pho T, Champion JA. Chemical and biological conjugation strategies for the development of multivalent protein vaccine nanoparticles. Biopolymers 2023; 114:e23563. [PMID: 37490564 PMCID: PMC10528127 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
The development of subunit vaccine platforms has been of considerable interest due to their good safety profile and ability to be adapted to new antigens, compared to other vaccine typess. Nevertheless, subunit vaccines often lack sufficient immunogenicity to fully protect against infectious diseases. A wide variety of subunit vaccines have been developed to enhance antigen immunogenicity by increasing antigen multivalency, as well as stability and delivery properties, via presentation of antigens on protein nanoparticles. Increasing multivalency can be an effective approach to provide a potent humoral immune response by more strongly engaging and clustering B cell receptors (BCRs) to induce activation, as well as increased uptake by antigen presenting cells and their subsequent T cell activation. Proper orientation of antigen on protein nanoparticles is also considered a crucial factor for enhanced BCR engagement and subsequent immune responses. Therefore, various strategies have been reported to decorate highly repetitive surfaces of protein nanoparticle scaffolds with multiple copies of antigens, arrange antigens in proper orientation, or combinations thereof. In this review, we describe different chemical bioconjugation methods, approaches for genetic fusion of recombinant antigens, biological affinity tags, and enzymatic conjugation methods to effectively present antigens on the surface of protein nanoparticle vaccine scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeyoung Park
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332-2000, USA
| | - Thomas Pho
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332-2000, USA
- BioEngineering Program
| | - Julie A. Champion
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332-2000, USA
- BioEngineering Program
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6
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Su P, Wu Y, Xie F, Zheng Q, Chen L, Liu Z, Meng X, Zhou F, Zhang L. A Review of Extracellular Vesicles in COVID-19 Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023:e2206095. [PMID: 37144543 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202206095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is ongoing, and has necessitated scientific efforts in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Interestingly, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been crucial in these developments. EVs are a collection of various nanovesicles which are delimited by a lipid bilayer. They are enriched in proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and metabolites, and naturally released from different cells. Their natural material transport properties, inherent long-term recycling ability, excellent biocompatibility, editable targeting, and inheritance of parental cell properties make EVs one of the most promising next-generation drug delivery nanocarriers and active biologics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many efforts have been made to exploit the payload of natural EVs for the treatment of COVID-19. Furthermore, strategies that use engineered EVs to manufacture vaccines and neutralization traps have produced excellent efficacy in animal experiments and clinical trials. Here, the recent literature on the application of EVs in COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment, damage repair, and prevention is reviewed. And the therapeutic value, application strategies, safety, and biotoxicity in the production and clinical applications of EV agents for COVID-19 treatment, as well as inspiration for using EVs to block and eliminate novel viruses are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Su
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, 310014, P. R. China
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Yuchen Wu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The First School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325035, P. R. China
| | - Feng Xie
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Qinghui Zheng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, 310014, P. R. China
| | - Long Chen
- Center for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Zhangjiagang Hospital of Soochow University, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, 215600, China
| | - Zhuang Liu
- Institute of Functional Nano and Soft Materials (FUNSOM), Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Carbon-Based Functional Materials and Devices, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Xuli Meng
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, 310014, P. R. China
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- Institutes of Biology and Medical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, P. R. China
| | - Long Zhang
- Department of Breast Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, 310014, P. R. China
- MOE Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, P. R. China
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
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7
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Iqbal R, Khan S, Ali HM, Khan M, Wahab S, Khan T. Application of nanomaterials against SARS-CoV-2: An emphasis on their usefulness against emerging variants of concern. FRONTIERS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fnano.2022.1060756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Researchers are now looking to nanomaterials to fight serious infectious diseases that cause outbreaks and even pandemics. SARS-CoV-2 brought chaos to almost every walk of life in the past 2 years and has challenged every available treatment method. Although vaccines were developed in no time against it, the most pressing issue was the emergence of variants of concern arising because of the rapidly evolving viral strains. The higher pathogenicity and, in turn, the higher mortality rate of infections caused by these variants renders the existing vaccines less effective and the effort to produce further vaccines a costly endeavor. While several techniques, such as immunotherapy and repurposed pharmaceutical research, are being studied to minimize viral infection, the fundamentals of nanotechnology must also be considered to enhance the anti-SARS-CoV-2 efforts. For instance, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been applied against SARS-CoV-2 effectively. Similarly, nanomaterials have been tested in masks, gloves, and disinfectants to aid in controlling SARS-CoV-2. Nanotechnology has also contributed to diagnoses such as rapid and accurate detection and treatment such as the delivery of mRNA vaccines and other antiviral agents into the body. The development of polymeric nanoparticles has been dubbed a strategy of choice over traditional drugs because of their tunable release kinetics, specificity, and multimodal drug composition. Our article explores the potential of nanomaterials in managing the variants of concern. This will be achieved by highlighting the inherent ability of nanomaterials to act against the virus on fronts such as inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 entry, inhibition of RNA replication in SARS-CoV-2, and finally, inhibition of their release. In this review, a detailed discussion on the potential of nanomaterials in these areas will be tallied with their potential against the current and emerging future variants of concern.
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8
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Song Y, Zhu W, Wang Y, Deng L, Ma Y, Dong C, Gonzalez GX, Kim J, Wei L, Kang SM, Wang BZ. Layered protein nanoparticles containing influenza B HA stalk induced sustained cross-protection against viruses spanning both viral lineages. Biomaterials 2022; 287:121664. [PMID: 35810540 PMCID: PMC9822777 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2022.121664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The influenza epidemics pose a significant threat to public health. Of them, type B influenza coincided with several severe flu outbreaks. The efficacy of the current seasonal flu vaccine is limited due to the antigenicity changes of circulating strains. In this study, we generated structure-stabilized HA stalk antigens from influenza B and fabricated double-layered protein nanoparticles as universal influenza B vaccine candidates. In vitro studies found that the resulting protein nanoparticles were effectively taken up to activate dendritic cells. Nanoparticle immunization induced broadly reactive immune responses conferring robust and sustained cross-immune protection against influenza B virus strains of both lineages. The results reveal the potential of layered protein nanoparticles incorporated with structure-stabilized constant antigens as a universal influenza vaccine with improved immune protective potency and breadth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Song
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Wandi Zhu
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Ye Wang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Lei Deng
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; Hunan Provincial Kay Laboratory of Medical Virology, Institute of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China
| | - Yao Ma
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Chunhong Dong
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Gilbert X Gonzalez
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Joo Kim
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Lai Wei
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Sang-Moo Kang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Bao-Zhong Wang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
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