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Comes JDG, Doets K, Zegers T, Kessler M, Slits I, Ballesteros NA, van de Weem NMP, Pouwels H, van Oers MM, van Hulten MCW, Langereis M, Pijlman GP. Evaluation of bird-adapted self-amplifying mRNA vaccine formulations in chickens. Vaccine 2024; 42:2895-2908. [PMID: 38521674 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
Each year, millions of poultry succumb to highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus (AIV) and infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) infections. Conventional vaccines based on inactivated or live-attenuated viruses are useful tools for disease prevention and control, yet, they often fall short in terms of safety, efficacy, and development times. Therefore, versatile vaccine platforms are crucial to protect poultry from emerging viral pathogens. Self-amplifying (replicon) RNA vaccines offer a well-defined and scalable option for the protection of both animals and humans. The best-studied replicon platform, based on the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV; family Togaviridae) TC-83 vaccine strain, however, displays limited efficacy in poultry, warranting the exploration of alternative, avian-adapted, replicon platforms. In this study, we engineered two Tembusu virus (TMUV; family Flaviviridae) replicons encoding varying capsid gene lengths and compared these to the benchmark VEEV replicon in vitro. The TMUV replicon system exhibited a robust and prolonged transgene expression compared to the VEEV replicon system in both avian and mammalian cells. Moreover, the TMUV replicon induced a lesser cytopathic effect compared to the VEEV replicon RNA in vitro. DNA-launched versions of the TMUV and VEEV replicons (DREP) were also developed. The replicons successfully expressed the AIV haemagglutinin (HA) glycoproteins and the IBDV capsid protein (pVP2). To assess the immune responses elicited by the TMUV replicon system in chickens, a prime-boost vaccination trial was conducted using lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-formulated replicon RNA and DREP encoding the viral (glyco)proteins of AIV or IBDV. Both TMUV and VEEV replicon RNAs were unable to induce a humoral response against AIV. However, TMUV replicon RNA induced IBDV-specific seroconversion in vaccinated chickens, in contrast to VEEV replicon RNA, which showed no significant humoral response. In both AIV and IBDV immunization studies, VEEV DREP generated the highest (neutralizing) antibody responses, which underscores the potential for self-amplifying mRNA vaccine technology to combat emerging poultry diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome D G Comes
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708PB, the Netherlands
| | - Kristel Doets
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708PB, the Netherlands; MSD Animal Health, Wim de Körverstraat 35, Boxmeer 5831AN, the Netherlands
| | - Thijmen Zegers
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708PB, the Netherlands
| | - Merel Kessler
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708PB, the Netherlands
| | - Irene Slits
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708PB, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Henk Pouwels
- MSD Animal Health, Wim de Körverstraat 35, Boxmeer 5831AN, the Netherlands
| | - Monique M van Oers
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708PB, the Netherlands
| | | | - Martijn Langereis
- MSD Animal Health, Wim de Körverstraat 35, Boxmeer 5831AN, the Netherlands
| | - Gorben P Pijlman
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, Wageningen 6708PB, the Netherlands.
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2
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Meyers G, Tews BA. Self-Replicating RNA Derived from the Genomes of Positive-Strand RNA Viruses. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2786:25-49. [PMID: 38814389 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3770-8_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Self-replicating RNA derived from the genomes of positive-strand RNA viruses represents a powerful tool for both molecular studies on virus biology and approaches to novel safe and effective vaccines. The following chapter summarizes the principles how such RNAs can be established and used for design of vaccines. Due to the large variety of strategies needed to circumvent specific pitfalls in the design of such constructs the technical details of the experiments are not described here but can be found in the cited literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregor Meyers
- Institut für Immunologie, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Birke Andrea Tews
- Institut für Infektionsmedizin, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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3
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Koseki T, Teramachi M, Koga M, Ko MSH, Amano T, Yu H, Amano M, Leyder E, Badiola M, Ray P, Kim J, Ko AC, Achour A, Weng NP, Imai T, Yoshida H, Taniuchi S, Shintani A, Fujigaki H, Kondo M, Doi Y. A Phase I/II Clinical Trial of Intradermal, Controllable Self-Replicating Ribonucleic Acid Vaccine EXG-5003 against SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1767. [PMID: 38140172 PMCID: PMC10747308 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121767] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
mRNA vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have played a key role in reducing morbidity and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled phase I/II trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of EXG-5003, a two-dose, controllable self-replicating RNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. EXG-5003 encodes the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 and was administered intradermally without lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The participants were followed for 12 months. Forty healthy participants were enrolled in Cohort 1 (5 µg per dose, n = 16; placebo, n = 4) and Cohort 2 (25 µg per dose, n = 16; placebo, n = 4). No safety concerns were observed with EXG-5003 administration. SARS-CoV-2 RBD antibody titers and neutralizing antibody titers were not elevated in either cohort. Elicitation of antigen-specific cellular immunity was observed in the EXG-5003 recipients in Cohort 2. At the 12-month follow-up, participants who had received an approved mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273) >1 month after receiving the second dose of EXG-5003 showed higher cellular responses compared with equivalently vaccinated participants in the placebo group. The findings suggest a priming effect of EXG-5003 on the long-term cellular immunity of approved SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takenao Koseki
- Department of Pharmacotherapeutics and Informatics, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan;
| | - Mayumi Teramachi
- Center for Clinical Trial and Research Support, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan; (M.T.); (M.K.)
| | - Minako Koga
- KM Pharmaceutical Consulting, Washington, DC 20006, USA;
| | - Minoru S. H. Ko
- Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.S.H.K.); (T.A.); (H.Y.); (M.A.); (E.L.); (M.B.); (P.R.); (J.K.); (A.C.K.)
| | - Tomokazu Amano
- Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.S.H.K.); (T.A.); (H.Y.); (M.A.); (E.L.); (M.B.); (P.R.); (J.K.); (A.C.K.)
| | - Hong Yu
- Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.S.H.K.); (T.A.); (H.Y.); (M.A.); (E.L.); (M.B.); (P.R.); (J.K.); (A.C.K.)
| | - Misa Amano
- Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.S.H.K.); (T.A.); (H.Y.); (M.A.); (E.L.); (M.B.); (P.R.); (J.K.); (A.C.K.)
| | - Erica Leyder
- Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.S.H.K.); (T.A.); (H.Y.); (M.A.); (E.L.); (M.B.); (P.R.); (J.K.); (A.C.K.)
| | - Maria Badiola
- Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.S.H.K.); (T.A.); (H.Y.); (M.A.); (E.L.); (M.B.); (P.R.); (J.K.); (A.C.K.)
| | - Priyanka Ray
- Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.S.H.K.); (T.A.); (H.Y.); (M.A.); (E.L.); (M.B.); (P.R.); (J.K.); (A.C.K.)
| | - Jiyoung Kim
- Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.S.H.K.); (T.A.); (H.Y.); (M.A.); (E.L.); (M.B.); (P.R.); (J.K.); (A.C.K.)
| | - Akihiro C. Ko
- Elixirgen Therapeutics, Inc., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (M.S.H.K.); (T.A.); (H.Y.); (M.A.); (E.L.); (M.B.); (P.R.); (J.K.); (A.C.K.)
| | - Achouak Achour
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 20892, USA; (A.A.); (N.-p.W.)
| | - Nan-ping Weng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 20892, USA; (A.A.); (N.-p.W.)
| | - Takumi Imai
- Department of Medical Statistics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka 545-8585, Japan; (T.I.); (H.Y.); (S.T.); (A.S.)
| | - Hisako Yoshida
- Department of Medical Statistics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka 545-8585, Japan; (T.I.); (H.Y.); (S.T.); (A.S.)
| | - Satsuki Taniuchi
- Department of Medical Statistics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka 545-8585, Japan; (T.I.); (H.Y.); (S.T.); (A.S.)
| | - Ayumi Shintani
- Department of Medical Statistics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka 545-8585, Japan; (T.I.); (H.Y.); (S.T.); (A.S.)
| | - Hidetsugu Fujigaki
- Department of Advanced Diagnostic System Development, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan
| | - Masashi Kondo
- Center for Clinical Trial and Research Support, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan; (M.T.); (M.K.)
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan
| | - Yohei Doi
- Departments of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Research, Fujita Health University, Toyoake 470-1192, Japan
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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4
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Kitikoon P, Knetter SM, Mogler MA, Morgan CL, Hoehn A, Puttamreddy S, Strait EL, Segers RPAM. Quadrivalent neuraminidase RNA particle vaccine protects pigs against homologous and heterologous strains of swine influenza virus infection. Vaccine 2023; 41:6941-6951. [PMID: 37884412 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Influenza A virus in swine (IAV-S) continues to cause significant negative impact to both sows and growing pigs. The viral hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes continue to evolve with HA diversifying at a faster rate than NA. Depending on country, whole inactivated virus (WIV) commercial and autogenous vaccines, as well as veterinary prescription vaccines targeting HA, are currently available. The use of these vaccines is focused on reducing virus and clinical signs in sows and to provide HA-specific maternally derived antibodies (MDA) to their suckling pigs. The deficiency in this strategy is that HA-MDA does not persist long enough to protect pigs through their growing phase from infection, and HA-MDA can interfere with effective pig immunization. This study evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of an adjuvanted, quadrivalent RNA Particle vaccine (Sequivity NA), currently licensed as Sequivity® IAV-S NA. This vaccine was formulated based on four NA antigens representing the major NA clades of IAV subtypes H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 circulating in swine herds in the United States. In a series of trials, pigs were vaccinated twice, at three days and three weeks of age (WOA), followed by challenge with either homologous or heterologous IAV strains at 8 or 15 WOA. The Sequivity NA vaccine induced robust serum NA inhibition (NI) antibody and protected against IAV-S strains with homologous and heterologous NA to that of the vaccine. The magnitude and duration of nasal shedding was reduced in vaccinated-pigs challenged with either homologous or heterologous virus within the same NA clade. This NA-based RNA Particle vaccine avoids the known impact of HA-MDA on pig vaccination and provides a new tool to successfully reduce IAV-induced disease in the pig population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Allison Hoehn
- Merck Animal Health, De Soto, KS 66018, United States
| | | | - Erin L Strait
- Merck Animal Health, De Soto, KS 66018, United States.
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5
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Huang HW, Wu S, Chowdhury EA, Shah DK. Expansion of platform physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model for monoclonal antibodies towards different preclinical species: cats, sheep, and dogs. J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn 2023:10.1007/s10928-023-09893-5. [PMID: 37947924 DOI: 10.1007/s10928-023-09893-5] [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: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are becoming an important therapeutic option in veterinary medicine, and understanding the pharmacokinetic (PK) of mAbs in higher-order animal species is also important for human drug development. To better understand the PK of mAbs in these animals, here we have expanded a platform physiological-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model to characterize the disposition of mAbs in three different preclinical species: cats, sheep, and dogs. We obtained PK data for mAbs and physiological parameters for the three different species from the literature. We were able to describe the PK of mAbs following intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous administration in cats, IV administration in sheep, and IV administration dogs reasonably well by fixing the physiological parameters and just estimating the parameters related to the binding of mAbs to the neonatal Fc receptor. The platform PBPK model presented here provides a quantitative tool to predict the plasma PK of mAbs in dogs, cats, and sheep. The model can also predict mAb PK in different tissues where the site of action might be located. As such, the mAb PBPK model presented here can facilitate the discovery, development, and preclinical-to-clinical translation of mAbs for veterinary and human medicine. The model can also be modified in the future to account for more detailed compartments for certain organs, different pathophysiology in the animals, and target-mediated drug disposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Wei Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 455 Pharmacy Building, Buffalo, NY, 14214-8033, USA
| | - Shengjia Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 455 Pharmacy Building, Buffalo, NY, 14214-8033, USA
| | - Ekram A Chowdhury
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 455 Pharmacy Building, Buffalo, NY, 14214-8033, USA
| | - Dhaval K Shah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The State University of New York at Buffalo, 455 Pharmacy Building, Buffalo, NY, 14214-8033, USA.
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6
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Imanishi I, Asahina R, Hayashi S, Uchiyama J, Hisasue M, Yamasaki M, Murata Y, Morikawa S, Mizutani T, Sakaguchi M. Guest edited collection serological study of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in japanese cats using protein-A/G-based ELISA. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:443. [PMID: 36539820 PMCID: PMC9767852 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03527-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about the epidemic status of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in cats in Japan due to insufficiently reliable seroepidemiological analysis methods that are easy to use in cats. RESULTS We developed a protein-A/G-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in cats. The assay was standardized using positive rabbit antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The ELISA results were consistent with those of a conventional anti-feline-immunoglobulin-G (IgG)-based ELISA. To test the protein-A/G-based ELISA, we collected blood samples from 1,969 cats that had been taken to veterinary clinics in Japan from June to July 2020 and determined the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Nine cats were found to have SARS-CoV-2 S1-specific IgG, of which 4 had recombinant receptor-binding domain-specific IgG. Of those 9 samples, one showed neutralizing activity. Based on these findings, we estimated that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies in cats in Japan was 0.05% (1/1,969 samples). This prevalence was consistent with the prevalence of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in humans in Japan according to research conducted at that time. CONCLUSIONS Protein-A/G-based ELISA has the potential to be a standardized method for measuring anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in cats. The infection status of SARS-CoV-2 in cats in Japan might be linked to that in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ichiro Imanishi
- grid.410786.c0000 0000 9206 2938Department of Microbiology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Ryota Asahina
- grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shunji Hayashi
- grid.410786.c0000 0000 9206 2938Department of Microbiology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Jumpei Uchiyama
- grid.261356.50000 0001 1302 4472Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masaharu Hisasue
- grid.252643.40000 0001 0029 6233Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis Science, Azabu University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yamasaki
- grid.411792.80000 0001 0018 0409Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Iwate University, Iwate, Japan
| | - Yoshiteru Murata
- grid.136594.c0000 0001 0689 5974Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan ,Murata Animal Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shigeru Morikawa
- grid.444568.f0000 0001 0672 2184Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Okayama University of Science, Ehime, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Mizutani
- grid.136594.c0000 0001 0689 5974Research and Education Center for Prevention of Global Infectious Diseases of Animals, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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A self-amplifying RNA vaccine against COVID-19 with long-term room-temperature stability. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:136. [PMID: 36323666 PMCID: PMC9628444 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00549-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
mRNA vaccines were the first to be authorized for use against SARS-CoV-2 and have since demonstrated high efficacy against serious illness and death. However, limitations in these vaccines have been recognized due to their requirement for cold storage, short durability of protection, and lack of access in low-resource regions. We have developed an easily-manufactured, potent self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 that is stable at room temperature. This saRNA vaccine is formulated with a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC), providing stability, ease of manufacturing, and protection against degradation. In preclinical studies, this saRNA/NLC vaccine induced strong humoral immunity, as demonstrated by high pseudovirus neutralization titers to the Alpha, Beta, and Delta variants of concern and induction of bone marrow-resident antibody-secreting cells. Robust Th1-biased T-cell responses were also observed after prime or homologous prime-boost in mice. Notably, the saRNA/NLC platform demonstrated thermostability when stored lyophilized at room temperature for at least 6 months and at refrigerated temperatures for at least 10 months. Taken together, this saRNA delivered by NLC represents a potential improvement in RNA technology that could allow wider access to RNA vaccines for the current COVID-19 and future pandemics.
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Elliott T, Cheeseman HM, Evans AB, Day S, McFarlane LR, O’Hara J, Kalyan M, Amini F, Cole T, Winston A, Fidler S, Pollock KM, Harker JA, Shattock RJ. Enhanced immune responses following heterologous vaccination with self-amplifying RNA and mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010885. [PMID: 36194628 PMCID: PMC9565686 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The optimal vaccination strategy to boost responses in the context of pre-existing immune memory to the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein is an important question for global public health. To address this, we explored the SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral and cellular immune responses to a novel self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine followed by a UK authorised mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2) in individuals with and without previous COVID-19, and compared these responses with those who received an authorised vaccine alone. 35 subjects receiving saRNA (saRNA group) as part of the COVAC1 clinical trial and an additional 40 participants receiving an authorised SARS-CoV-2 vaccine only (non-saRNA group) were recruited. Antibody responses were measured by ELISA and a pseudoneutralisation assay for wildtype, Delta and Omicron variants. Cellular responses were measured by IFN-ƴ ELISpot and an activation induced marker (AIM) assay. Approximately 50% in each group had previous COVID-19 prior to vaccination, confirmed by PCR or antibody positivity on ELISA. All of those who received saRNA subsequently received a full course of an authorised vaccine. The majority (83%) of those receiving saRNA who were COVID-19 naïve at baseline seroconverted following the second dose, and those with previous COVID-19 had an increase in antibody titres two weeks following saRNA vaccination (median 27-fold), however titres were lower when compared to mRNA vaccination. Two weeks following the 2nd authorised mRNA vaccine dose, binding and neutralising antibody titres were significantly higher in the saRNA participants with previous COVID-19, compared to non-saRNA, or COVID-19 naive saRNA participants. Cellular responses were again highest in this group, with a higher proportion of spike specific CD8+ than CD4+ T cells when compared to those receiving the mRNA vaccine only. These findings suggest an immunological benefit of increased antigen exposure, both from natural infection and vaccination, particularly evident in those receiving heterologous vaccination with saRNA and mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Elliott
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Imperial College NIHR BRC, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Abbey B. Evans
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne Day
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Leon R. McFarlane
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Jessica O’Hara
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Mohini Kalyan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Fahimah Amini
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Tom Cole
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alan Winston
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Fidler
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Imperial College NIHR BRC, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katrina M. Pollock
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Robin J. Shattock
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
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9
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Zhang P, Luo S, Zou P, Liang C, Wang C, Li J, Li Y, Wang G, Zhang L, Li T, Li C. Vaccination of cats with Sad23L-nCoV-S vaccine candidate against major variants of SARS-CoV-2. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 26:181-190. [PMID: 35756078 PMCID: PMC9217069 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cats are susceptible to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and risk transmitting viruses to naive cats or humans. Here, based on our novel adenovirus-vectored COVID-19 vaccine, the immunogenicity of Sad23L-nCoV-S vaccine was evaluated in cats by prime-boost vaccinations. Five cats were primed with a dose of 108 plaque-forming units (PFUs) Sad23L-nCoV-S vaccine and then boosted with an equal dose of same vaccine at a 4-week interval. Cat serum neutralizing antibody (NAb) titers (the sample dilution at which 50% inhibitory concentration [IC50]) were measured as IC50 15,849 to wild-type strain, IC50 6,591 to Alpha, IC50 2,315 to Beta, IC50 2,744 to Gamma, IC50 1,848 to Delta, and IC50 318 to Omicron variants of pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 viruses at week 6 post-prime vaccination. All NAb levels to these five variants were ≥IC50 49 from vaccinated cats at week 10, while 48.8% to Delta and 100% to Omicron variants were <IC50 10 from human vaccinees at week 2 or 4 after receiving two injections of the inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Robust T cell response of interferon (IFN)-γ to S peptides were detected in vaccinated cats. It was concluded that Sad23L-nCoV-S vaccine could be a promising vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2 infection in cats by prime or plus boost vaccinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panli Zhang
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shengxue Luo
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518101, China
- Guangzhou Bai Rui Kang (BRK) Biological Science and Technology Limited Company, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Peng Zou
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Guangzhou Bai Rui Kang (BRK) Biological Science and Technology Limited Company, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Chaolan Liang
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Guangzhou Bai Rui Kang (BRK) Biological Science and Technology Limited Company, Guangzhou 510000, China
| | - Jinfeng Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yongyin Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Guangdong Medical Laboratory Animal Center, Foshan 528248, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Guangzhou Bai Rui Kang (BRK) Biological Science and Technology Limited Company, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Corresponding author Ling Zhang, Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Corresponding author Tingting Li, Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Chengyao Li
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Guangzhou Bai Rui Kang (BRK) Biological Science and Technology Limited Company, Guangzhou 510000, China
- Corresponding author Chengyao Li, Department of Transfusion Medicine, School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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10
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Yan K, Dumenil T, Tang B, Le TT, Bishop CR, Suhrbier A, Rawle DJ. Evolution of ACE2-Independent SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Mouse Adaption After Passage in Cells Expressing Human and Mouse ACE2. Virus Evol 2022; 8:veac063. [PMID: 35919871 PMCID: PMC9338707 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veac063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Human ACE2 Human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) is the key cell attachment and entry receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with the original SARS-CoV-2 isolates unable to use mouse ACE2 (mACE2). Herein we describe the emergence of a SARS-CoV-2 strain capable of ACE2-independent infection and the evolution of mouse-adapted (MA) SARS-CoV-2 by in vitro serial passaging of virus in co-cultures of cell lines expressing hACE2 and mACE2. MA viruses evolved with up to five amino acid changes in the spike protein, all of which have been seen in human isolates. MA viruses replicated to high titers in C57BL/6J mouse lungs and nasal turbinates and caused characteristic lung histopathology. One MA virus also evolved to replicate efficiently in several ACE2-negative cell lines across several species, including clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) ACE2 knockout cells. An E484D substitution is likely involved in ACE2-independent entry and has appeared in only ≈0.003 per cent of human isolates globally, suggesting that it provided no significant selection advantage in humans. ACE2-independent entry reveals a SARS-CoV-2 infection mechanism that has potential implications for disease pathogenesis, evolution, tropism, and perhaps also intervention development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Yan
- Infection and Inflammation Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane, Queensland. 4029, Australia
| | - Troy Dumenil
- Infection and Inflammation Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane, Queensland. 4029, Australia
| | - Bing Tang
- Infection and Inflammation Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane, Queensland. 4029, Australia
| | - Thuy T Le
- Infection and Inflammation Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane, Queensland. 4029, Australia
| | - Cameron R Bishop
- Infection and Inflammation Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane, Queensland. 4029, Australia
| | - Andreas Suhrbier
- Infection and Inflammation Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane, Queensland. 4029, Australia
- Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, GVN Center of Excellence , Brisbane, Queensland, 4029 and 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel J Rawle
- Infection and Inflammation Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute , Brisbane, Queensland. 4029, Australia
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11
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A subunit vaccine candidate based on the Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 prevents infectious virus shedding in cats. Res Vet Sci 2022; 148:52-64. [PMID: 35667227 PMCID: PMC9148427 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Of the numerous animal species affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, cats are one of the most susceptible, and cat-to-cat transmission has been described. Although cat-to-human infection has not, as yet, been demonstrated, preventive measures should be taken in order to avoid both viral infection in cats and transmission among them. In this respect, the application of an effective vaccine to at-risk populations would be a useful tool for controlling the disease in this species. Here, we test a new vaccine prototype based on the Spike protein of the virus in order to prevent infection and infectious virus shedding in cats. The vaccine employed in experimentation, and which is easily produced, triggered a strong neutralizing antibody response in vaccinated animals. In contrast to that which occurred with control animals, no infectious virus was detected in the oropharyngeal or rectal swabs of vaccinated cats submitted to a SARS-CoV-2 challenge. These results are of great interest as regards future considerations related to implementing vaccination programs in pets. The value of cats as vaccination trial models is also described herein.
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12
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Tabynov K, Orynbassar M, Yelchibayeva L, Turebekov N, Yerubayev T, Matikhan N, Yespolov T, Petrovsky N, Tabynov K. A Spike Protein-Based Subunit SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine for Pets: Safety, Immunogenicity, and Protective Efficacy in Juvenile Cats. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:815978. [PMID: 35372556 PMCID: PMC8967242 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.815978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Whereas, multiple vaccine types have been developed to curb the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) among humans, there are very few vaccines being developed for animals including pets. To combat the threat of human-to-animal, animal-to-animal, and animal-to-human transmission and the generation of new virus variants, we developed a subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine which is based on the recombinant spike protein extracellular domain expressed in insect cells and then formulated with appropriate adjuvants. Sixteen 8–12-week-old outbred female and male kittens (n = 4 per group) were randomly assigned into four treatment groups: spike protein alone; spike plus ESSAI oil-in-water (O/W) 1849102 adjuvant; spike plus aluminum hydroxide adjuvant; and a PBS control. All animals were vaccinated intramuscularly twice, 2 weeks apart, with 5 μg of spike protein in a volume of 0.5 ml. On days 0 and 28, serum samples were collected to evaluate anti-spike IgG, antibody inhibition of spike binding to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), neutralizing antibodies against wild-type and delta variant viruses, and hematology studies. At day 28, all groups were challenged with SARS-CoV-2 wild-type virus 106 TCID50 intranasally. On day 31, tissue samples (lung, heart, and nasal turbinates) were collected for viral RNA detection, and virus titration. After two immunizations, both vaccines induced high titers of serum anti-spike IgG that inhibited spike ACE-2 binding and neutralized both wild-type and delta variant virus. Both adjuvanted vaccine formulations protected juvenile cats against virus shedding from the upper respiratory tract and viral replication in the lower respiratory tract and hearts. These promising data warrant ongoing evaluation of the vaccine's ability to protect cats against SARS-CoV-2 infection and in particular to prevent transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kairat Tabynov
- International Center for Vaccinology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Preclinical Research Laboratory With Vivarium, M. Aikimbayev National Research Center for Especially Dangerous Infections (NSCEDI), Almaty, Kazakhstan
- T&TvaX LLC, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Madiana Orynbassar
- International Center for Vaccinology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Leila Yelchibayeva
- International Center for Vaccinology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Nurkeldi Turebekov
- Central Reference Laboratory, M. Aikimbayev National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections (NSCEDI), Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Toktassyn Yerubayev
- Central Reference Laboratory, M. Aikimbayev National Scientific Center for Especially Dangerous Infections (NSCEDI), Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Nurali Matikhan
- International Center for Vaccinology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Tlektes Yespolov
- International Center for Vaccinology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Nikolai Petrovsky
- Vaxine Pty Ltd., Adelaide, SA, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Kaissar Tabynov
- International Center for Vaccinology, Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Preclinical Research Laboratory With Vivarium, M. Aikimbayev National Research Center for Especially Dangerous Infections (NSCEDI), Almaty, Kazakhstan
- T&TvaX LLC, Almaty, Kazakhstan
- *Correspondence: Kaissar Tabynov ;
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13
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The SARS-CoV-2 Reproduction Number R 0 in Cats. Viruses 2021; 13:v13122480. [PMID: 34960749 PMCID: PMC8704225 DOI: 10.3390/v13122480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Domestic cats are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and given that they are in close contact with people, assessing the potential risk cats represent for the transmission and maintenance of SARS-CoV-2 is important. Assessing this risk implies quantifying transmission from humans-to-cats, from cats-to-cats and from cats-to-humans. Here we quantified the risk of cat-to-cat transmission by reviewing published literature describing transmission either experimentally or under natural conditions in infected households. Data from these studies were collated to quantify the SARS-CoV-2 reproduction number R0 among cats. The estimated R0 was significantly higher than one, hence cats could play a role in the transmission and maintenance of SARS-CoV-2. Questions that remain to be addressed are the risk of transmission from humans-to-cats and cats-to-humans. Further data on household transmission and data on virus levels in both the environment around infected cats and their exhaled air could be a step towards assessing these risks.
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