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Rader NA, Lee KS, Loes AN, Miller-Stump OA, Cooper M, Wong TY, Boehm DT, Barbier M, Bevere JR, Heath Damron F. Influenza virus strains expressing SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain protein confer immunity in K18-hACE2 mice. Vaccine X 2024; 20:100543. [PMID: 39221180 PMCID: PMC11364132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2024.100543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), rapidly spread across the globe in 2019. With the emergence of the Omicron variant, COVID-19 shifted into an endemic phase. Given the anticipated rise in cases during the fall and winter seasons, the strategy of implementing seasonal booster vaccines for COVID-19 is becoming increasingly valuable to protect public health. This practice already exists for seasonal influenza vaccines to combat annual influenza seasons. Our goal was to investigate an easily modifiable vaccine platform for seasonal use against SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we evaluated the genetically modified influenza virus ΔNA(RBD) as an intranasal vaccine candidate for COVID-19. This modified virus was engineered to replace the coding sequence for the neuraminidase (NA) protein with a membrane-anchored form of the receptor binding domain (RBD) protein of SARS-CoV-2. We designed experiments to assess the protection of ΔNA(RBD) in K18-hACE2 mice using lethal (Delta) and non-lethal (Omicron) challenge models. Controls of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine and our lab's previously described intranasal virus like particle vaccine were used as comparisons. Immunization with ΔNA(RBD) expressing ancestral RBD elicited high anti-RBD IgG levels in the serum of mice, high anti-RBD IgA in lung tissue, and improved survival after Delta variant challenge. Modifying ΔNA(RBD) to express Omicron variant RBD shifted variant-specific antibody responses and limited viral burden in the lungs of mice after Omicron variant challenge. Overall, this data suggests that ΔNA(RBD) could be an effective intranasal vaccine platform that generates mucosal and systemic immunity towards SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel A. Rader
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Katherine S. Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Andrea N. Loes
- Division of Basic Sciences and Computational Biology Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA 98103, USA
| | - Olivia A. Miller-Stump
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Melissa Cooper
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ting Y. Wong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Dylan T. Boehm
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Mariette Barbier
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Justin R. Bevere
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - F. Heath Damron
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
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2
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Khalid K, Lim HX, Hwang JS, Poh CL. The Development of Epitope-Based Recombinant Protein Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. AAPS J 2024; 26:93. [PMID: 39138686 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-024-00963-1] [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: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause infections and deaths, which are attributable to the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant of concern (VOC). Moderna's response to the declining protective efficacies of current SARS-CoV-2 vaccines against Omicron was to develop a bivalent booster vaccine based on the Spike (S) protein from the Wuhan and Omicron BA.4/BA.5 strains. This approach, while commendable, is unfeasible in light of rapidly emerging mutated viral strains. PubMed and Google Scholar were systematically reviewed for peer-reviewed papers up to January 2024. Articles included focused on specific themes such as the clinical history of recombinant protein vaccine development against different diseases, including COVID-19, the production of recombinant protein vaccines using different host expression systems, aspects to consider in recombinant protein vaccine development, and overcoming problems associated with large-scale recombinant protein vaccine production. In silico approaches to identify conserved and immunogenic epitopes could provide broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 VOCs but require validation in animal models. The recombinant protein vaccine development platform has shown a successful history in clinical development. Recombinant protein vaccines incorporating conserved epitopes may utilize a number of expression systems, such as yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), baculovirus-insect cells (Sf9 cells), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Current multi-epitope subunit vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 utilizing synthetic peptides are unfeasible for large-scale immunizations. Recombinant protein vaccines based on conserved and immunogenic proteins produced using E. coli offer high production yields, convenient purification, and cost-effective production of large-scale vaccine quantities capable of protecting against the SARS-CoV-2 D614G strain and its VOCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwal Khalid
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Hui Xuan Lim
- Sunway Microbiome Centre, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Jung Shan Hwang
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- ALPS Global Holding Berhad, 1 Jalan 1/68F, Off Jalan Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur, 50400, Malaysia.
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Kumar DS, Prasanth K, Bhandari A, Kumar Jha V, Naveen A, Prasanna M. Innovations and Challenges in the Development of COVID-19 Vaccines for a Safer Tomorrow. Cureus 2024; 16:e60015. [PMID: 38854201 PMCID: PMC11162516 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60015] [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] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccination, a historically effective public health intervention, has shielded millions from various diseases. Lessons from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) have improved COVID-19 vaccine development. Despite mRNA vaccines' efficacy, emerging variants pose challenges, exhibiting increased transmissibility, infectivity, and severity. Developing COVID-19 vaccines has faced hurdles due to urgency, limited virus understanding, and the need for safe solutions. Genetic variability necessitates continuous vaccine adjustments and production challenges demand scaling up manufacturing with stringent quality control. This review explores SARS-CoV-2's evolution, upcoming mutations that challenge vaccines, and strategies such as structure-based, T cell-based, respiratory mucosal-based, and nanotechnology approaches for vaccine development. This review insight provides a roadmap for navigating virus evolution and improving vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devika S Kumar
- Research, Panimalar Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Chennai, IND
| | - Krishna Prasanth
- Department of Community Medicine, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, IND
| | - Ashni Bhandari
- Department of Community Medicine, Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, IND
| | - Vivek Kumar Jha
- Department of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology, Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary (SGT) University, Haryana, IND
| | - Avula Naveen
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, All India Institute Of Medical Science Bilaspur, Bilaspur, IND
| | - Muthu Prasanna
- Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Surya School of Pharmacy, Surya Group of Institutions, Villupuram, IND
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Najary S, Vatankhah M, Khadivi G, Salehi SN, Tabari MAK, Samieefar N, Behnaz M. A comprehensive review of oral microenvironment changes and orofacial adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccination: The good, the bad, and the ugly. Health Sci Rep 2024; 7:e1967. [PMID: 38482134 PMCID: PMC10935892 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines have the potential to alter several biological systems concurrently with remolding the immune system, most of which are related to immunization, while some others are known as adverse effects. This review aims to explore the potential effects of vaccination on the oral microenvironment and classifies them as good, bad, or ugly, with a brief review of facial diseases following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. METHODS This study was a comprehensive review conducted through searching related articles in Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. RESULTS On one side, the "Good" impacts of vaccination on the oro-nasal mucosa are explained as if the mucosal immune responses followed by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are enough to provide immunity. On the other side, the possible "Bad" and "Ugly" effects of the vaccine, which manifest as orofacial adverse events and autoimmune reactivations, respectively, should be noted. Exacerbation of pre-existing autoimmune conditions such as lichen planus, pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome have been reported. CONCLUSION COVID-19 vaccines could affect different biological systems alongside stimulating the immune system, and some of these effects are referred to as adverse effects. Nonetheless, these adverse effects are treatable, and healthcare professionals should not prevent patients from taking the first available vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaghayegh Najary
- School of DentistryShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- USERN OfficeShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Network of Interdisciplinarity in Neonates and Infants (NINI)Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)TehranIran
| | - Mohammadreza Vatankhah
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of DentistryUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Gita Khadivi
- School of DentistryShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- USERN OfficeShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Seyyede N. Salehi
- USERN OfficeShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Dentistry Student, Executive Secretary of Research Committee, Board Director of Scientific Society, Dental FacultyIslamic Azad UniversityTehranIran
| | - Mohammad A. K. Tabari
- Network of Interdisciplinarity in Neonates and Infants (NINI)Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)TehranIran
- Student Research CommitteeMazandaran University of Medical SciencesSariIran
- USERN OfficeMazandaran University of Medical SciencesSariIran
| | - Noosha Samieefar
- USERN OfficeShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Network of Interdisciplinarity in Neonates and Infants (NINI)Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)TehranIran
| | - Mohammad Behnaz
- USERN OfficeShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
- Dental Research Center, Research Institute of Dental Sciences, School of DentistryShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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5
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Wellford SA, Moseman EA. Olfactory immune response to SARS-CoV-2. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:134-143. [PMID: 38143247 PMCID: PMC10806031 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-023-01119-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous pathogens can infect the olfactory tract, yet the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has strongly emphasized the importance of the olfactory mucosa as an immune barrier. Situated in the nasal passages, the olfactory mucosa is directly exposed to the environment to sense airborne odorants; however, this also means it can serve as a direct route of entry from the outside world into the brain. As a result, olfactotropic infections can have serious consequences, including dysfunction of the olfactory system, CNS invasion, dissemination to the lower respiratory tract, and transmission between individuals. Recent research has shown that a distinctive immune response is needed to protect this neuronal and mucosal tissue. A better understanding of innate, adaptive, and structural immune barriers in the olfactory mucosa is needed to develop effective therapeutics and vaccines against olfactotropic microbes such as SARS-CoV-2. Here, we summarize the ramifications of SARS-CoV-2 infection of the olfactory mucosa, review the subsequent immune response, and discuss important areas of future research for olfactory immunity to infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian A Wellford
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - E Ashley Moseman
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
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6
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Lee KS, Rader NA, Miller-Stump OA, Cooper M, Wong TY, Shahrier Amin M, Barbier M, Bevere JR, Ernst RK, Heath Damron F. Intranasal VLP-RBD vaccine adjuvanted with BECC470 confers immunity against Delta SARS-CoV-2 challenge in K18-hACE2-mice. Vaccine 2023; 41:5003-5017. [PMID: 37407405 PMCID: PMC10300285 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.06.080] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic transitions into endemicity, seasonal boosters are a plausible reality across the globe. We hypothesize that intranasal vaccines can provide better protection against asymptomatic infections and more transmissible variants of SARS-CoV-2. To formulate a protective intranasal vaccine, we utilized a VLP-based platform. Hepatitis B surface antigen-based virus like particles (VLP) linked with receptor binding domain (RBD) antigen were paired with the TLR4-based agonist adjuvant, BECC 470. K18-hACE2 mice were primed and boosted at four-week intervals with either VLP-RBD-BECC or mRNA-1273. Both VLP-RBD-BECC and mRNA-1273 vaccination resulted in production of RBD-specific IgA antibodies in serum. RBD-specific IgA was also detected in the nasal wash and lung supernatants and were highest in VLP-RBD-BECC vaccinated mice. Interestingly, VLP-RBD-BECC vaccinated mice showed slightly lower levels of pre-challenge IgG responses, decreased RBD-ACE2 binding inhibition, and lower neutralizing activity in vitro than mRNA-1273 vaccinated mice. Both VLP-RBD-BECC and mRNA-1273 vaccinated mice were protected against challenge with a lethal dose of Delta variant SARS-CoV-2. Both vaccines limited viral replication and viral RNA burden in the lungs of mice. CXCL10 is a biomarker of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and we observed both vaccines limited expression of serum and lung CXCL10. Strikingly, VLP-RBD-BECC when administered intranasally, limited lung inflammation at early timepoints that mRNA-1273 vaccination did not. VLP-RBD-BECC immunization elicited antibodies that do recognize SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. However, VLP-RBD-BECC immunized mice were protected from Omicron challenge with low viral burden. Conversely, mRNA-1273 immunized mice had low to no detectable virus in the lungs at day 2. Together, these data suggest that VLP-based vaccines paired with BECC adjuvant can be used to induce protective mucosal and systemic responses against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine S Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Nathaniel A Rader
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Olivia A Miller-Stump
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Melissa Cooper
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ting Y Wong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Md Shahrier Amin
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Laboratory Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Mariette Barbier
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Justin R Bevere
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - F Heath Damron
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA.
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7
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Abdelaziz MO, Raftery MJ, Weihs J, Bielawski O, Edel R, Köppke J, Vladimirova D, Adler JM, Firsching T, Voß A, Gruber AD, Hummel LV, Fernandez Munoz I, Müller-Marquardt F, Willimsky G, Elleboudy NS, Trimpert J, Schönrich G. Early protective effect of a ("pan") coronavirus vaccine (PanCoVac) in Roborovski dwarf hamsters after single-low dose intranasal administration. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1166765. [PMID: 37520530 PMCID: PMC10372429 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1166765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has highlighted the danger posed by human coronaviruses. Rapid emergence of immunoevasive variants and waning antiviral immunity decrease the effect of the currently available vaccines, which aim at induction of neutralizing antibodies. In contrast, T cells are marginally affected by antigen evolution although they represent the major mediators of virus control and vaccine protection against virus-induced disease. Materials and methods We generated a multi-epitope vaccine (PanCoVac) that encodes the conserved T cell epitopes from all structural proteins of coronaviruses. PanCoVac contains elements that facilitate efficient processing and presentation of PanCoVac-encoded T cell epitopes and can be uploaded to any available vaccine platform. For proof of principle, we cloned PanCoVac into a non-integrating lentivirus vector (NILV-PanCoVac). We chose Roborovski dwarf hamsters for a first step in evaluating PanCoVac in vivo. Unlike mice, they are naturally susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, Roborovski dwarf hamsters develop COVID-19-like disease after infection with SARS-CoV-2 enabling us to look at pathology and clinical symptoms. Results Using HLA-A*0201-restricted reporter T cells and U251 cells expressing a tagged version of PanCoVac, we confirmed in vitro that PanCoVac is processed and presented by HLA-A*0201. As mucosal immunity in the respiratory tract is crucial for protection against respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, we tested the protective effect of single-low dose of NILV-PanCoVac administered via the intranasal (i.n.) route in the Roborovski dwarf hamster model of COVID-19. After infection with ancestral SARS-CoV-2, animals immunized with a single-low dose of NILV-PanCoVac i.n. did not show symptoms and had significantly decreased viral loads in the lung tissue. This protective effect was observed in the early phase (2 days post infection) after challenge and was not dependent on neutralizing antibodies. Conclusion PanCoVac, a multi-epitope vaccine covering conserved T cell epitopes from all structural proteins of coronaviruses, might protect from severe disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 variants and future pathogenic coronaviruses. The use of (HLA-) humanized animal models will allow for further efficacy studies of PanCoVac-based vaccines in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed O. Abdelaziz
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin J. Raftery
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Tumor Immunology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julian Weihs
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Olivia Bielawski
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Richard Edel
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Köppke
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Julia M. Adler
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Theresa Firsching
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Voß
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Achim D. Gruber
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Luca V. Hummel
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ivan Fernandez Munoz
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Francesca Müller-Marquardt
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerald Willimsky
- Institute of Immunology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nooran S. Elleboudy
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Jakob Trimpert
- Institute of Virology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Günther Schönrich
- Institute of Virology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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8
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Kim E, Khan MS, Ferrari A, Huang S, Sammartino JC, Percivalle E, Kenniston TW, Cassaniti I, Baldanti F, Gambotto A. SARS-CoV-2 S1 Subunit Booster Vaccination Elicits Robust Humoral Immune Responses in Aged Mice. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0436322. [PMID: 37162333 PMCID: PMC10269910 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.04363-22] [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: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants has raised concerns about reduced vaccine effectiveness and the increased risk of infection, and while repeated homologous booster shots are recommended for elderly and immunocompromised individuals, they cannot completely protect against breakthrough infections. In our previous study, we assessed the immunogenicity of an adenovirus-based vaccine expressing SARS-CoV-2 S1 (Ad5.S1) in mice, which induced robust humoral and cellular immune responses (E. Kim, F. J. Weisel, S. C. Balmert, M. S. Khan, et al., Eur J Immunol 51:1774-1784, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1002/eji.202149167). In this follow-up study, we found that the mice had high titers of anti-S1 antibodies 1 year after vaccination, and one booster dose of the nonadjuvanted rS1Beta (recombinant S1 protein of SARS-CoV-2 Beta [B.1.351]) subunit vaccine was effective at stimulating strong long-lived S1-specific immune responses and inducing significantly high neutralizing antibodies against Wuhan, Beta, and Delta strains, with 3.6- to 19.5-fold increases. Importantly, the booster dose also elicited cross-reactive antibodies, resulting in angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) binding inhibition against spikes of SARS-CoV-2, including Omicron variants, persisting for >28 weeks after booster vaccination. Interestingly, the levels of neutralizing antibodies were correlated not only with the level of S1 binding IgG but also with ACE2 inhibition. Our findings suggest that the rS1Beta subunit vaccine candidate as a booster has the potential to offer cross-neutralization against broad variants and has important implications for the vaccine control of newly emerging breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 variants in elderly individuals primed with adenovirus-based vaccines like AZD1222 and Ad26.COV2.S. IMPORTANCE Vaccines have significantly reduced the incidences of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and deaths. However, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has raised concerns about their increased transmissibility and ability to evade neutralizing antibodies, especially among elderly individuals who are at higher risks of mortality and reductions of vaccine effectiveness. To address this, a heterologous booster vaccination strategy has been considered as a solution to protect the elderly population against breakthrough infections caused by emerging variants. This study evaluated the booster effect of an S1 subunit vaccine in aged mice that had been previously primed with adenoviral vaccines, providing valuable preclinical evidence for elderly people vaccinated with the currently approved COVID-19 vaccines. This study confirms the potential for using the S1 subunit vaccine as a booster to enhance cross-neutralizing antibodies against emerging variants of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Kim
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Muhammad S Khan
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alessandro Ferrari
- Molecular Virology Unit, Microbiology and Virology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Shaohua Huang
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Josè C Sammartino
- Molecular Virology Unit, Microbiology and Virology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elena Percivalle
- Molecular Virology Unit, Microbiology and Virology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Thomas W Kenniston
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Irene Cassaniti
- Molecular Virology Unit, Microbiology and Virology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Fausto Baldanti
- Molecular Virology Unit, Microbiology and Virology Department, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Andrea Gambotto
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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