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Inoue T, Yamamoto Y, Sato K, Okemoto-Nakamura Y, Shimizu Y, Ogawa M, Onodera T, Takahashi Y, Wakita T, Kaneko MK, Fukasawa M, Kato Y, Noguchi K. Overcoming antibody-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants with bispecific antibodies constructed using non-neutralizing antibodies. iScience 2024; 27:109363. [PMID: 38500835 PMCID: PMC10946335 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109363] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
A current challenge is the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, such as BQ.1.1 and XBB.1.5, that can evade immune defenses, thereby limiting antibody drug effectiveness. Emergency-use antibody drugs, including the widely effective bebtelovimab, are losing their benefits. One potential approach to address this issue are bispecific antibodies which combine the targeting abilities of two antibodies with distinct epitopes. We engineered neutralizing bispecific antibodies in the IgG-scFv format from two initially non-neutralizing antibodies, CvMab-6 (which binds to the receptor-binding domain [RBD]) and CvMab-62 (targeting a spike protein S2 subunit epitope adjacent to the known anti-S2 antibody epitope). Furthermore, we created a bispecific antibody by incorporating the scFv of bebtelovimab with our anti-S2 antibody, demonstrating significant restoration of effectiveness against bebtelovimab-resistant BQ.1.1 variants. This study highlights the potential of neutralizing bispecific antibodies, which combine existing less effective anti-RBD antibodies with anti-S2 antibodies, to revive the effectiveness of antibody therapeutics compromised by immune-evading variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Inoue
- Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Yamazaki 2641, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Yamazaki 2641, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Kaoru Sato
- Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Yamazaki 2641, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
| | - Yuko Okemoto-Nakamura
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Shimizu
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo Heisei University, 4-21-2 Nakano, Nakano-ku 164-8530, Japan
| | - Motohiko Ogawa
- Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Taishi Onodera
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Takahashi
- Research Center for Drug and Vaccine Development, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Takaji Wakita
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Mika K. Kaneko
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Masayoshi Fukasawa
- Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Yamazaki 2641, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
| | - Yukinari Kato
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Antibody Drug Development, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Kohji Noguchi
- Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Therapy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Yamazaki 2641, Noda, Chiba 278-8510, Japan
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1-23-1, Toyama, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8640, Japan
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Hsieh MS, Hsu CW, Liao HC, Lin CL, Chiang CY, Chen MY, Liu SJ, Liao CL, Chen HW. SARS-CoV-2 spike-FLIPr fusion protein plus lipidated FLIPr protects against various SARS-CoV-2 variants in hamsters. J Virol 2024; 98:e0154623. [PMID: 38299865 PMCID: PMC10878263 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01546-23] [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: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccine-induced mucosal immunity and broad protective capacity against various severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants remain inadequate. Formyl peptide receptor-like 1 inhibitory protein (FLIPr), produced by Staphylococcus aureus, can bind to various Fcγ receptor subclasses. Recombinant lipidated FLIPr (rLF) was previously found to be an effective adjuvant. In this study, we developed a vaccine candidate, the recombinant Delta SARS-CoV-2 spike (rDS)-FLIPr fusion protein (rDS-F), which employs the property of FLIPr binding to various Fcγ receptors. Our study shows that rDS-F plus rLF promotes rDS capture by dendritic cells. Intranasal vaccination of mice with rDS-F plus rLF increases persistent systemic and mucosal antibody responses and CD4/CD8 T-cell responses. Importantly, antibodies induced by rDS-F plus rLF vaccination neutralize Delta, Wuhan, Alpha, Beta, and Omicron strains. Additionally, rDS-F plus rLF provides protective effects against various SARS-CoV-2 variants in hamsters by reducing inflammation and viral loads in the lung. Therefore, rDS-F plus rLF is a potential vaccine candidate to induce broad protective responses against various SARS-CoV-2 variants.IMPORTANCEMucosal immunity is vital for combating pathogens, especially in the context of respiratory diseases like COVID-19. Despite this, most approved vaccines are administered via injection, providing systemic but limited mucosal protection. Developing vaccines that stimulate both mucosal and systemic immunity to address future coronavirus mutations is a growing trend. However, eliciting strong mucosal immune responses without adjuvants remains a challenge. In our study, we have demonstrated that using a recombinant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike-formyl peptide receptor-like 1 inhibitory protein (FLIPr) fusion protein as an antigen, in combination with recombinant lipidated FLIPr as an effective adjuvant, induced simultaneous systemic and mucosal immune responses through intranasal immunization in mice and hamster models. This approach offered protection against various SARS-CoV-2 strains, making it a promising vaccine candidate for broad protection. This finding is pivotal for future broad-spectrum vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Shu Hsieh
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Hsu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chun Liao
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Ling Lin
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yi Chiang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yu Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Jen Liu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Len Liao
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Wei Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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3
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Amani B, Shabestan R, Rajabkhah K, Amani B. Sotrovimab in solid organ transplant recipients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. KOREAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION 2023; 37:277-285. [PMID: 37916433 PMCID: PMC10772269 DOI: 10.4285/kjt.23.0038] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Despite widespread implementation of vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) can remain particularly vulnerable to this disease. The present study was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of sotrovimab in the treatment of SOTRs with COVID-19. Methods A search was performed of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, medRxiv, and Google Scholar to gather relevant evidence through July 25, 2023. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the risk of bias tool. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (ver. 3.0, Biostat) was employed for data analysis. Results Ten studies, involving a total of 1,569 patients, were included. The meta-analysis revealed significant differences between the patients administered sotrovimab and those treated with the standard of care. These differences were observed in mortality rate (odds ratio [OR], 0.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03-0.67), hospitalization rate (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.21-0.57), intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate (OR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04-0.62), the need for supplemental oxygen therapy (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.09-0.51), and the need for mechanical ventilation (OR, 0.09; 95% CI, 0.01-0.70). However, no significant difference was observed between sotrovimab and other treatments regarding the rates of hospitalization or ICU admission (P>0.05). Regarding safety, sotrovimab was associated with a lower rate of adverse events compared to the absence of sotrovimab (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.02-0.86). Conclusions These results suggest that sotrovimab may improve efficacy outcomes among SOTRs with COVID-19. Nevertheless, additional high-quality trials are necessary to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Amani
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rouhollah Shabestan
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kourosh Rajabkhah
- Department of Curative Affairs, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahman Amani
- Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Mykytyn AZ, Fouchier RA, Haagmans BL. Antigenic evolution of SARS coronavirus 2. Curr Opin Virol 2023; 62:101349. [PMID: 37647851 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, emerged in China in December 2019. Vaccines developed were very effective initially, however, the virus has shown remarkable evolution with multiple variants spreading globally over the last three years. Nowadays, newly emerging Omicron lineages are gaining substitutions at a fast rate, resulting in escape from neutralization by antibodies that target the Spike protein. Tools to map the impact of substitutions on the further antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2, such as antigenic cartography, may be helpful to update SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. In this review, we focus on the antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the impact of Spike protein substitutions individually and in combination on immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Z Mykytyn
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ron Am Fouchier
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bart L Haagmans
- Viroscience Department, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Liao HC, Huang MS, Chiu FF, Chai KM, Liao CL, Wu SC, Chen HW, Liu SJ. Co-delivery of a trimeric spike DNA and protein vaccine with aluminum hydroxide enhanced Th1-dominant humoral and cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29040. [PMID: 37635380 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Protein subunit vaccines have been used as prophylactic vaccines for a long time. The well-established properties of these vaccines make them the first choice for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. However, it is not easy to develop a protein vaccine that induces cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses and requires a longer time for manufacturing, which limits the usage of this vaccine type. Here, we report the combination of a recombinant spike (S)-trimer protein with a DNA vaccine-encoded S protein as a novel COVID-19 vaccine. The recombinant S protein was formulated with different adjuvants and mixed with the DNA plasmid before injection. We found that the recombinant S protein formulated with the adjuvant aluminum hydroxide and mixed with the DNA plasmid could enhance antigen-specific antibody titers, neutralizing antibody titers. We further evaluated the IgG2a/IgG1 isotype and cytokine profiles of the specific boosted T-cell response, which indicated that the combined vaccine induced a T-helper 1 cell-biased immune response. Immunized hamsters were challenged with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, and the body weight of the hamsters that received the recombinant S protein with aluminum hydroxide and/or the DNA plasmid was not reduced. Alternatively, those that received control or only the DNA plasmid immunization were reduced. Interestingly, after the third day of the viral load in the lungs, the viral challenge could not be detected in hamsters immunized with the recombinant S protein in aluminum hydroxide mixed with DNA (tissue culture infectious dose < 10). The viral load in the lungs was 109 , 106 , and 107 for the phosphate-buffered saline, protein in aluminum hydroxide, and DNA-only immunizations, respectively. These results indicated that antiviral mechanisms neutralizing antibodies play important roles. Furthermore, we found that the combination of protein and DNA vaccination could induce relatively strong CD8+ T-cell responses. In summary, the protein subunit vaccine combined with a DNA vaccine could induce strong CD8+ T-cell responses to increase antiviral immunity for disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Chun Liao
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Min-Syuan Huang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Feng Chiu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Kit Man Chai
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Len Liao
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Suh-Chin Wu
- Institute of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Wei Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Jen Liu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Almagro JC, Mellado-Sánchez G, Pedraza-Escalona M, Pérez-Tapia SM. Evolution of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Therapeutic Antibodies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179763. [PMID: 36077159 PMCID: PMC9456190 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the first COVID-19 reports back in December of 2019, this viral infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 has claimed millions of lives. To control the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or European Agency of Medicines (EMA) have granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to nine therapeutic antibodies. Nonetheless, the natural evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has generated numerous variants of concern (VOCs) that have challenged the efficacy of the EUA antibodies. Here, we review the most relevant characteristics of these therapeutic antibodies, including timeline of approval, neutralization profile against the VOCs, selection methods of their variable regions, somatic mutations, HCDR3 and LCDR3 features, isotype, Fc modifications used in the therapeutic format, and epitope recognized on the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2. One of the conclusions of the review is that the EUA therapeutic antibodies that still retain efficacy against new VOCs bind an epitope formed by conserved residues that seem to be evolutionarily conserved as thus, critical for the RBD:hACE-2 interaction. The information reviewed here should help to design new and more efficacious antibodies to prevent and/or treat COVID-19, as well as other infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan C. Almagro
- GlobalBio, Inc., 320 Concord Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Unidad de Desarrollo e Investigación en Bioterapéuticos (UDIBI), Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Laboratorio Nacional para Servicios Especializados de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (I+D+i) para Farmoquímicos y Biotecnológicos, LANSEIDI-FarBiotec-CONACyT, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Correspondence: (J.C.A.); (S.M.P.-T.)
| | - Gabriela Mellado-Sánchez
- Unidad de Desarrollo e Investigación en Bioterapéuticos (UDIBI), Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Laboratorio Nacional para Servicios Especializados de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (I+D+i) para Farmoquímicos y Biotecnológicos, LANSEIDI-FarBiotec-CONACyT, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Martha Pedraza-Escalona
- CONACyT-Unidad de Desarrollo e Investigación en Bioterapéuticos (UDIBI), Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
| | - Sonia M. Pérez-Tapia
- Unidad de Desarrollo e Investigación en Bioterapéuticos (UDIBI), Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Laboratorio Nacional para Servicios Especializados de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (I+D+i) para Farmoquímicos y Biotecnológicos, LANSEIDI-FarBiotec-CONACyT, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Colonia Santo Tomás, Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico City 11340, Mexico
- Correspondence: (J.C.A.); (S.M.P.-T.)
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Chiang CY, Chen MY, Hsu CW, Liu CY, Tsai YW, Liao HC, Yan JY, Chuang ZS, Wang HI, Pan CH, Yu CY, Yu GY, Liao CL, Liu SJ, Chen HW. Induction of high affinity monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variant infection using a DNA prime-protein boost strategy. J Biomed Sci 2022; 29:37. [PMID: 35681239 PMCID: PMC9178533 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-022-00823-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Calls for the coronavirus to be treated as an endemic illness, such as the flu, are increasing. After achieving high coverage of COVID-19 vaccination, therapeutic drugs have become important for future SARS-CoV-2 variant outbreaks. Although many monoclonal antibodies have been approved for emergency use as treatments for SARS-CoV-2 infection, some monoclonal antibodies are not authorized for variant treatment. Broad-spectrum monoclonal antibodies are unmet medical needs. METHODS We used a DNA prime-protein boost approach to generate high-quality monoclonal antibodies. A standard ELISA was employed for the primary screen, and spike protein-human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 blocking assays were used for the secondary screen. The top 5 blocking clones were selected for further characterization, including binding ability, neutralization potency, and epitope mapping. The therapeutic effects of the best monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 infection were evaluated in a hamster infection model. RESULTS Several monoclonal antibodies were selected that neutralize different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs). These VOCs include Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Kappa and Lambda variants. The high neutralizing antibody titers against the Beta variant would be important to treat Beta-like variants. Among these monoclonal antibodies, mAb-S5 displays the best potency in terms of binding affinity and neutralizing capacity. Importantly, mAb-S5 protects animals from SARS-CoV-2 challenge, including the Wuhan strain, D614G, Alpha and Delta variants, although mAb-S5 exhibits decreased neutralization potency against the Delta variant. Furthermore, the identified neutralizing epitopes of monoclonal antibodies are all located in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein but in different regions. CONCLUSIONS Our approach generates high-potency monoclonal antibodies against a broad spectrum of VOCs. Multiple monoclonal antibody combinations may be the best strategy to treat future SARS-CoV-2 variant outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen-Yi Chiang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yu Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Hsu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yeh Liu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Wen Tsai
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chun Liao
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
- Department of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, 30072, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Ying Yan
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Zih-Shiuan Chuang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-I Wang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsiung Pan
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yi Yu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Guann-Yi Yu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Len Liao
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Jen Liu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 307378, Taiwan.
| | - Hsin-Wei Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 35053, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 307378, Taiwan.
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