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Liao HC, Shen KY, Yang CH, Chiu FF, Chiang CY, Chai KM, Huang WC, Ho HM, Chen YH, Huang MS, Liao CL, Chen HW, Huang MH, Liu SJ. Lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated DNA vaccine robustly induce superior immune responses to the mRNA vaccine in Syrian hamsters. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101169. [PMID: 38187094 PMCID: PMC10767207 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101169] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
DNA vaccines for infectious diseases and cancer have been explored for years. To date, only one DNA vaccine (ZyCoV-D) has been authorized for emergency use in India. DNA vaccines are inexpensive and long-term thermostable, however, limited by the low efficiency of intracellular delivery. The recent success of mRNA/lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has opened a new application for nucleic acid-based vaccines. Here, we report that plasmid encoding a trimeric spike protein with LNP delivery (pTS/LNP), similar to those in Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, induced more effective humoral responses than naked pTS or pTS delivered via electroporation. Compared with TSmRNA/LNP, pTS/LNP immunization induced a comparable level of neutralizing antibody titers and significant T helper 1-biased immunity in mice; it also prolonged the maintenance of higher antigen-specific IgG and neutralizing antibody titers in hamsters. Importantly, pTS/LNP immunization exhibits enhanced cross-neutralizing activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants and protects hamsters from the challenge of SARS-CoV-2 (Wuhan strain and the Omicron BA.1 variant). This study indicates that pDNA/LNPs as a promising platform could be a next-generation vaccine technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Chun Liao
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Yin Shen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsiang Yang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Feng Chiu
- 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
| | - Kit Man Chai
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Chun Huang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Min Ho
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hua Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Min-Syuan Huang
- 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
| | - 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, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsi Huang
- 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, College 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, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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2
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Khalid K, Lim HX, Anwar A, Tan SH, Hwang JS, Ong SK, Poh CL. Preclinical Development of a Novel Epitope-based DNA Vaccine Candidate against SARS-CoV-2 and Evaluation of Immunogenicity in BALB/c Mice. AAPS PharmSciTech 2024; 25:60. [PMID: 38472523 DOI: 10.1208/s12249-024-02778-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The protective efficacies of current licensed vaccines against COVID-19 have significantly reduced as a result of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) which carried multiple mutations in the Spike (S) protein. Considering that these vaccines were developed based on the S protein of the original SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain, we designed a recombinant plasmid DNA vaccine based on highly conserved and immunogenic B and T cell epitopes against SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain and the Omicron VOC. Literature mining and bioinformatics were used to identify 6 immunogenic peptides from conserved regions of the SARS-CoV-2 S and membrane (M) proteins. Nucleotide sequences encoding these peptides representing highly conserved B and T cell epitopes were cloned into a pVAX1 vector to form the pVAX1/S2-6EHGFP recombinant DNA plasmid vaccine. The DNA vaccine was intranasally or intramuscularly administered to BALB/c mice and evaluations of humoral and cellular immune responses were performed. The intramuscular administration of pVAX1/S2-6EHGFP was associated with a significantly higher percentage of CD8+ T cells expressing IFN-γ when compared with the empty vector and PBS controls. Intramuscular or intranasal administrations of pVAX1/S2-6EHGFP resulted in robust IgG antibody responses. Sera from mice intramuscularly immunized with pVAX1/S2-6EHGFP were found to elicit neutralizing antibodies capable of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant with the ACE2 cell surface receptor. This study demonstrated that the DNA vaccine construct encoding highly conserved immunogenic B and T cell epitopes was capable of eliciting potent humoral and cellular immune responses in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwal Khalid
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hui Xuan Lim
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- Sunway Microbiome Centre, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ayaz Anwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Soon Hao Tan
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jung Shan Hwang
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Seng-Kai Ong
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
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3
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Kisakov DN, Belyakov IM, Kisakova LA, Yakovlev VA, Tigeeva EV, Karpenko LI. The use of electroporation to deliver DNA-based vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines 2024; 23:102-123. [PMID: 38063059 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2023.2292772] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nucleic acids represent a promising platform for creating vaccines. One disadvantage of this approach is its relatively low immunogenicity. Electroporation (EP) is an effective way to increase the DNA vaccines immunogenicity. However, due to the different configurations of devices used for EP, EP protocols optimization is required not only to enhance immunogenicity, but also to ensure greater safety and tolerability of the EP procedure. AREA COVERED An data analysis for recent years on the DNA vaccines delivery against viral and parasitic infections using EP was carried out. The study of various EP physical characteristics, such as frequency, pulse duration, pulse interval, should be considered along with the immunogenic construct design and the site of delivery of the vaccine, through the study of the immunogenic and protective characteristics of the latter. EXPERT OPINION Future research should focus on regulating the humoral and cellular response required for protection against infectious agents by modifying the EP protocol. Significant efforts will be directed to establishing the possibility of redirecting the immune response toward the Th1 or Th2 response by changing the EP physical parameters. It will allow for an individual selective approach during EP, depending on the pathogen type of an infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis N Kisakov
- Department of bioengineering, State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, Rospotrebnadzor, Novosibirsk region, Russia
| | - Igor M Belyakov
- Department of medico-biological disciplines, Moscow University for Industry and Finance "Synergy", Moscow, Russia
| | - Lubov A Kisakova
- Department of bioengineering, State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, Rospotrebnadzor, Novosibirsk region, Russia
| | - Vladimir A Yakovlev
- Department of bioengineering, State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, Rospotrebnadzor, Novosibirsk region, Russia
| | - Elena V Tigeeva
- Department of bioengineering, State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, Rospotrebnadzor, Novosibirsk region, Russia
| | - Larisa I Karpenko
- Department of bioengineering, State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology VECTOR, Rospotrebnadzor, Novosibirsk region, Russia
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Khalid K, Poh CL. The development of DNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Adv Med Sci 2023; 68:213-226. [PMID: 37364379 PMCID: PMC10290423 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2023.05.003] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic exerted significant impacts on public health and global economy. Research efforts to develop vaccines at warp speed against SARS-CoV-2 led to novel mRNA, viral vectored, and inactivated vaccines being administered. The current COVID-19 vaccines incorporate the full S protein of the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain but rapidly emerging variants of concern (VOCs) have led to significant reductions in protective efficacies. There is an urgent need to develop next-generation vaccines which could effectively prevent COVID-19. METHODS PubMed and Google Scholar were systematically reviewed for peer-reviewed papers up to January 2023. RESULTS A promising solution to the problem of emerging variants is a DNA vaccine platform since it can be easily modified. Besides expressing whole protein antigens, DNA vaccines can also be constructed to include specific nucleotide genes encoding highly conserved and immunogenic epitopes from the S protein as well as from other structural/non-structural proteins to develop effective vaccines against VOCs. DNA vaccines are associated with low transfection efficiencies which could be enhanced by chemical, genetic, and molecular adjuvants as well as delivery systems. CONCLUSIONS The DNA vaccine platform offers a promising solution to the design of effective vaccines. The challenge of limited immunogenicity in humans might be solved through the use of genetic modifications such as the addition of nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide gene, strong promoters, MARs, introns, TLR agonists, CD40L, and the development of appropriate delivery systems utilizing nanoparticles to increase uptake by APCs in enhancing the induction of potent immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwal Khalid
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
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5
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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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6
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An Y, Zhao G, Duan H, Zhang N, Duan M, Xu S, Liu X, Han Y, Zheng T, Li X, Hou J, Zhang Z, Bi Y, Zhao X, Xu K, Dai L, Wang B, Gao GF. Robust and protective immune responses induced by heterologous prime-boost vaccination with DNA-protein dimeric RBD vaccines for COVID-19. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28948. [PMID: 37436839 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic posed great impacts on public health. To fight against the pandemic, robust immune responses induced by vaccination are indispensable. Previously, we developed a subunit vaccine adjuvanted by aluminum hydroxide, ZF2001, based on the dimeric tandem-repeat RBD immunogen, which has been approved for clinical use. This dimeric RBD design was also explored as an mRNA vaccine. Both showed potent immunogenicity. In this study, a DNA vaccine candidate encoding RBD-dimer was designed. The humoral and cellular immune responses induced by homologous and heterologous prime-boost approaches with DNA-RBD-dimer and ZF2001 were assessed in mice. Protection efficacy was studied by the SARS-CoV-2 challenge. We found that the DNA-RBD-dimer vaccine was robustly immunogenic. Priming with DNA-RBD-dimer followed by ZF2001 boosting induced higher levels of neutralizing antibodies than homologous vaccination with either DNA-RBD-dimer or ZF2001, elicited polyfunctional cellular immunity with a TH 1-biased polarization, and efficiently protected mice against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lung. This study demonstrated the robust and protective immune responses induced by the DNA-RBD-dimer candidate and provided a heterologous prime-boost approach with DNA-RBD-dimer and ZF2001.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaling An
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
| | - Gan Zhao
- Advaccine Biopharmaceutics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd, Suzhou, China
| | - Huixin Duan
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Minrun Duan
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Senyu Xu
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
| | - Xueyuan Liu
- School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuxuan Han
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
| | - Tianyi Zheng
- Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Jiawang Hou
- Advaccine Biopharmaceutics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhiyu Zhang
- Advaccine Biopharmaceutics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuhai Bi
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Influenza Research and Early-Warning (CASCIRE), CAS-TWAS Center of Excellence for Emerging Infectious Diseases (CEEID), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Kun Xu
- Research Network of Immunity and Health (RNIH), Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lianpan Dai
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Advaccine Biopharmaceutics (Suzhou) Co. Ltd, Suzhou, China
| | - George F Gao
- Savaid Medical School, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogen Microbiology and Immunology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China
- Research Network of Immunity and Health (RNIH), Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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7
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Shen K, Yang C, Chen C, Ho H, Chiu F, Huang C, Liao H, Hsu C, Yu G, Liao C, Chen H, Huang M, Liu S. Omicron-specific mRNA vaccine induced cross-protective immunity against ancestral SARS-CoV-2 infection with low neutralizing antibodies. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28370. [PMID: 36458553 PMCID: PMC9877661 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
The major challenge in COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness is immune escape by SARS-CoV-2 variants. To overcome this, an Omicron-specific messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine was designed. The extracellular domain of the spike of the Omicron variant was fused with a modified GCN4 trimerization domain with low immunogenicity (TSomi). After immunization with TSomi mRNA in hamsters, animals were challenged with SARS-CoV-2 virus. The raised nonneutralizing antibodies or cytokine secretion responses can recognize both Wuhan S and Omicron S. However, the raised antibodies neutralized SARS-CoV-2 Omicron virus infection but failed to generate Wuhan virus neutralizing antibodies. Surprisingly, TSomi mRNA immunization protected animals from Wuhan virus challenge. These data indicated that non-neutralizing antibodies or cellular immunity may play a more important role in vaccine-induced protection than previously believed. Next-generation COVID-19 vaccines using the Omicron S antigen may provide sufficient protection against ancestral or current SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan‐Yin Shen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan
| | - Chung‐Hsiang Yang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan
| | - Chiung‐Tong Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical ResearchNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan
| | - Hui‐Min Ho
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan
| | - Fang‐Feng Chiu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan
| | - Chiung‐Yi Huang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan
| | - Hung‐Chun Liao
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan
| | - Chia‐Wei Hsu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan
| | - Guann‐Yi Yu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan
| | - Ching‐Len Liao
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan
| | - Hsin‐Wei Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan,Graduate Institute of Biomedical SciencesChina Medical UniversityTaichungTaiwan,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of MedicineKaohsiung Medical UniversityKaohsiungTaiwan
| | - Ming‐Hsi Huang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan,Graduate Institute of Biomedical SciencesChina Medical UniversityTaichungTaiwan,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of MedicineKaohsiung Medical UniversityKaohsiungTaiwan
| | - Shih‐Jen Liu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and VaccinologyNational Health Research InstitutesMiaoliTaiwan,Graduate Institute of Biomedical SciencesChina Medical UniversityTaichungTaiwan,Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of MedicineKaohsiung Medical UniversityKaohsiungTaiwan
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8
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Chai KM, Tzeng TT, Shen KY, Liao HC, Lin JJ, Chen MY, Yu GY, Dou HY, Liao CL, Chen HW, Liu SJ. Correction: DNA vaccination induced protective immunity against SARS CoV-2 infection in hamsterss. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2023; 17:e0011045. [PMID: 36607900 PMCID: PMC9821517 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0011045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009374.].
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9
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Ho HM, Huang CY, Yang CH, Liu SJ, Chen HW, Yu GY, Chen JK, Chuang TH, Huang MH. Formulation of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein with CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides and Squalene Nanoparticles Modulates Immunological Aspects Following Intranasal Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14112539. [PMID: 36432730 PMCID: PMC9693849 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112539] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasal spray vaccination is viewed as a promising strategy for inducing both mucosal and systemic protection against respiratory SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Toward this goal, a safe and efficacious mucosal adjuvant is necessary for the transportation of the antigen across the mucosal membrane and antigen recognition by the mucosal immune system to generate broad-spectrum immune responses. This study describes the immunological aspects of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S)-protein after being formulated with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) and squalene nanoparticles (termed PELC). Following intranasal delivery in mice, higher expression levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II and costimulatory molecules CD40 and CD86 on CD11c+ cells were observed at the draining superficial cervical lymph nodes in the CpG-formulated S protein group compared with those vaccinated with S protein alone. Subsequently, the activated antigen-presenting cells downstream modulated the cytokine secretion profiles and expanded the cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity of S protein-restimulated splenocytes. Interestingly, the presence of PELC synergistically enhanced cell-mediated immunity and diminished individual differences in S protein-specific immunogenicity. Regarding humoral responses, the mice vaccinated with the PELC:CpG-formulated S protein promoted the production of S protein-specific IgG in serum samples and IgA in nasal and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. These results indicate that PELC:CpG is a potential mucosal adjuvant that promotes mucosal/systemic immune responses and cell-mediated immunity, a feature that has implications for the development of a nasal spray vaccine against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Min Ho
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Chiung-Yi Huang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsiang Yang
- 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 40402, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, 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 40402, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
| | - Guann-Yi Yu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Kun Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Hsien Chuang
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Hsi Huang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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10
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Wang Y, Ling L, Zhang Z, Marin-Lopez A. Current Advances in Zika Vaccine Development. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10111816. [PMID: 36366325 PMCID: PMC9694033 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV), an emerging arthropod-borne flavivirus, was first isolated in Uganda in 1947 from monkeys and first detected in humans in Nigeria in 1952; it has been associated with a dramatic burden worldwide. Since then, interventions to reduce the burden of ZIKV infection have been mainly restricted to mosquito control, which in the end proved to be insufficient by itself. Hence, the situation prompted scientists to increase research on antivirals and vaccines against the virus. These efforts are still ongoing as the pathogenesis and immune evasion mechanisms of ZIKV have not yet been fully elucidated. Understanding the viral disease mechanism will provide a better landscape to develop prophylactic and therapeutic strategies against ZIKV. Currently, no specific vaccines or drugs have been approved for ZIKV. However, some are undergoing clinical trials. Notably, different platforms have been evaluated for the design of vaccines, including DNA, mRNA, viral vectors, virus-like particles (VLPs), inactivated virus, live attenuated virus, peptide and protein-based vaccines, passive immunizations by using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), and vaccines that target vector-derived antigens. These vaccines have been shown to induce specific humoral and cellular immune responses and reduce viremia and viral RNA titers, both in vitro and in vivo. This review provides a comprehensive summary of current advancements in the development of vaccines against Zika virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Wang
- Department of Inspection and Quarantine Technology Communication, Shanghai Customs College, Shanghai 201204, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Lin Ling
- Department of Inspection and Quarantine Technology Communication, Shanghai Customs College, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Zilei Zhang
- Department of Inspection and Quarantine Technology Communication, Shanghai Customs College, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Alejandro Marin-Lopez
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06420, USA
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11
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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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12
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Tzeng TT, Chai KM, Shen KY, Yu CY, Yang SJ, Huang WC, Liao HC, Chiu FF, Dou HY, Liao CL, Chen HW, Liu SJ. A DNA vaccine candidate delivered by an electroacupuncture machine provides protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:60. [PMID: 35662254 PMCID: PMC9166770 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00482-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
A major challenge in the use of DNA vaccines is efficient DNA delivery in vivo. Establishing a safe and efficient electric transfer method is the key to developing rapid DNA vaccines against emerging infectious diseases. To overcome the complexity of designing new electric transfer machines for DNA delivery, a clinically approved electric transfer machine could be considered as an alternative. Here, we report an electroacupuncture machine-based method for DNA vaccine delivery after intramuscular injection of the COVID-19 DNA vaccine. The S gene of SARS-CoV-2 in the pVAX1 plasmid (pSARS2-S) was used as an antigen in this study. We optimized the clinically used electroacupuncture machine settings for efficient induction of the neutralizing antibody titer after intramuscular injection of pSARS2-S in mice. We found that pSARS2-S immunization at 40 Vpp for 3-5 s could induce high neutralizing antibody titers and Th1-biased immune responses. IFN-γ/TNF-α-secreting CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were also observed in the DNA vaccination group but not in the recombinant protein vaccination group. T-cell epitope mapping shows that the major reactive epitopes were located in the N-terminal domain (a.a. 261-285) and receptor-binding domain (a.a. 352-363). Importantly, pSARS2-S immunization in hamsters could induce protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 challenge in vivo. In the preclinical toxicology study, blood biochemistry, hematology, and DNA persistence analysis reveal that the DNA delivery method is safe. Furthermore, the raised antisera could also cross-neutralize different variants of concern. These findings suggest that DNA vaccination using an electroacupuncture machine is feasible for use in humans in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsai-Teng Tzeng
- 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
| | - Kuan-Yin Shen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yi Yu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Shiu-Ju Yang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Chun Huang
- 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
- Department of Life Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Fang-Feng Chiu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Horng-Yunn Dou
- 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
| | - 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, College 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, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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13
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Low-Dose SARS-CoV-2 S-Trimer with an Emulsion Adjuvant Induced Th1-Biased Protective Immunity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094902. [PMID: 35563292 PMCID: PMC9101745 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
During the sustained COVID-19 pandemic, global mass vaccination to achieve herd immunity can prevent further viral spread and mutation. A protein subunit vaccine that is safe, effective, stable, has few storage restrictions, and involves a liable manufacturing process would be advantageous to distribute around the world. Here, we designed and produced a recombinant spike (S)-Trimer that is maintained in a prefusion state and exhibits a high ACE2 binding affinity. Rodents received different doses of S-Trimer (0.5, 5, or 20 μg) antigen formulated with aluminum hydroxide (Alum) or an emulsion-type adjuvant (SWE), or no adjuvant. After two vaccinations, the antibody response, T-cell responses, and number of follicular helper T-cells (Tfh) or germinal center (GC) B cells were assessed in mice; the protective efficacy was evaluated on a Syrian hamster infection model. The mouse studies demonstrated that adjuvating the S-Trimer with SWE induced a potent humoral immune response and Th1-biased cellular immune responses (in low dose) that were superior to those induced by Alum. In the Syrian hamster studies, when S-Trimer was adjuvanted with SWE, higher levels of neutralizing antibodies were induced against live SARS-CoV-2 from the original lineage and against the emergence of variants (Beta or Delta) with a slightly decreased potency. In addition, the SWE adjuvant demonstrated a dose-sparing effect; thus, a lower dose of S-Trimer as an antigen (0.5 μg) can induce comparable antisera and provide complete protection from viral infection. These data support the utility of SWE as an adjuvant to enhance the immunogenicity of the S-Trimer vaccine, which is feasible for further clinical testing.
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14
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Babuadze GG, Fausther-Bovendo H, deLaVega MA, Lillie B, Naghibosadat M, Shahhosseini N, Joyce MA, Saffran HA, Lorne Tyrrell D, Falzarano D, Senthilkumaran C, Christie-Holmes N, Ahn S, Gray-Owen SD, Banerjee A, Mubareka S, Mossman K, Dupont C, Pedersen J, Lafrance MA, Kobinger GP, Kozak R. Two DNA vaccines protect against severe disease and pathology due to SARS-CoV-2 in Syrian hamsters. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:49. [PMID: 35474311 PMCID: PMC9042934 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00461-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is an ongoing threat to global health, and wide-scale vaccination is an efficient method to reduce morbidity and mortality. We designed and evaluated two DNA plasmid vaccines, based on the pIDV-II system, expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike gene, with or without an immunogenic peptide, in mice, and in a Syrian hamster model of infection. Both vaccines demonstrated robust immunogenicity in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Additionally, the shedding of infectious virus and the viral burden in the lungs was reduced in immunized hamsters. Moreover, high-titers of neutralizing antibodies with activity against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants were generated in immunized animals. Vaccination also protected animals from weight loss during infection. Additionally, both vaccines were effective at reducing both pulmonary and extrapulmonary pathology in vaccinated animals. These data show the potential of a DNA vaccine for SARS-CoV-2 and suggest further investigation in large animal and human studies could be pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Giorgi Babuadze
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Biological Sciences Platform, University Toronto, Sunnybrook Research Institute at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Ontario, ON Canada
| | - Hugues Fausther-Bovendo
- grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC Canada
| | - Marc-Antoine deLaVega
- grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC Canada
| | - Brandon Lillie
- grid.34429.380000 0004 1936 8198Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON Canada
| | - Maedeh Naghibosadat
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Biological Sciences Platform, University Toronto, Sunnybrook Research Institute at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Ontario, ON Canada
| | - Nariman Shahhosseini
- grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC Canada
| | - Michael A. Joyce
- grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada ,grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XLi Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | - Holly A. Saffran
- grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada ,grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XLi Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | - D. Lorne Tyrrell
- grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XDepartment of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada ,grid.17089.370000 0001 2190 316XLi Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Canada
| | - Darryl Falzarano
- grid.25152.310000 0001 2154 235XVaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK Canada
| | - Chandrika Senthilkumaran
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Biological Sciences Platform, University Toronto, Sunnybrook Research Institute at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Ontario, ON Canada
| | - Natasha Christie-Holmes
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Combined Containment Level 3 Unit, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Steven Ahn
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Scott D. Gray-Owen
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Arinjay Banerjee
- grid.25152.310000 0001 2154 235XVaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK Canada
| | - Samira Mubareka
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Biological Sciences Platform, University Toronto, Sunnybrook Research Institute at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Ontario, ON Canada ,grid.413104.30000 0000 9743 1587Department of Laboratory Medicine and Molecular Diagnostics, Division of Microbiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karen Mossman
- grid.25073.330000 0004 1936 8227Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
| | - Chanel Dupont
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Biological Sciences Platform, University Toronto, Sunnybrook Research Institute at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Ontario, ON Canada
| | - Jannie Pedersen
- grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC Canada
| | - Mark-Alexandre Lafrance
- grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC Canada
| | - Gary P. Kobinger
- grid.23856.3a0000 0004 1936 8390Département de Microbiologie-Infectiologie et Immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC Canada ,grid.21613.370000 0004 1936 9609Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB Canada ,grid.25879.310000 0004 1936 8972Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Robert Kozak
- grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Biological Sciences Platform, University Toronto, Sunnybrook Research Institute at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Ontario, ON Canada ,grid.413104.30000 0000 9743 1587Department of Laboratory Medicine and Molecular Diagnostics, Division of Microbiology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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15
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Liao YC, Chen FJ, Chuang MC, Wu HC, Ji WC, Yu GY, Huang TS. High-Integrity Sequencing of Spike Gene for SARS-CoV-2 Variant Determination. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:3257. [PMID: 35328676 PMCID: PMC8954144 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063257] [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: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
For tiling of the SARS-CoV-2 genome, the ARTIC Network provided a V4 protocol using 99 pairs of primers for amplicon production and is currently the widely used amplicon-based approach. However, this technique has regions of low sequence coverage and is labour-, time-, and cost-intensive. Moreover, it requires 14 pairs of primers in two separate PCRs to obtain spike gene sequences. To overcome these disadvantages, we proposed a single PCR to efficiently detect spike gene mutations. We proposed a bioinformatic protocol that can process FASTQ reads into spike gene consensus sequences to accurately call spike protein variants from sequenced samples or to fairly express the cases of missing amplicons. We evaluated the in silico detection rate of primer sets that yield amplicon sizes of 400, 1200, and 2500 bp for spike gene sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 to be 59.49, 76.19, and 92.20%, respectively. The in silico detection rate of our proposed single PCR primers was 97.07%. We demonstrated the robustness of our analytical protocol against 3000 Oxford Nanopore sequencing runs of distinct datasets, thus ensuring high-integrity sequencing of spike genes for variant SARS-CoV-2 determination. Our protocol works well with the data yielded from versatile primer designs, making it easy to determine spike protein variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chieh Liao
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Jui Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan; (F.-J.C.); (H.-C.W.); (G.-Y.Y.)
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Min-Chieh Chuang
- Department of Chemistry, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan; (M.-C.C.); (W.-C.J.)
| | - Han-Chieh Wu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan; (F.-J.C.); (H.-C.W.); (G.-Y.Y.)
| | - Wan-Chen Ji
- Department of Chemistry, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan; (M.-C.C.); (W.-C.J.)
| | - Guann-Yi Yu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, No. 35, Keyan Road, Zhunan Town, Miaoli County 35053, Taiwan; (F.-J.C.); (H.-C.W.); (G.-Y.Y.)
| | - Tsi-Shu Huang
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 81362, Taiwan;
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16
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Tamming LA, Duque D, Tran A, Zhang W, Pfeifle A, Laryea E, Wu J, Raman SNT, Gravel C, Russell MS, Hashem AM, Alsulaiman RM, Alhabbab RY, Gao J, Safronetz D, Cao J, Wang L, Chen W, Johnston MJW, Sauve S, Rosu-Myles M, Li X. DNA Based Vaccine Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Spike-CD40L Fusion Protein Confers Protection Against Challenge in a Syrian Hamster Model. Front Immunol 2022; 12:785349. [PMID: 35095861 PMCID: PMC8789660 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.785349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infections present a tremendous threat to public health. Safe and efficacious vaccines are the most effective means in preventing the infections. A variety of vaccines have demonstrated excellent efficacy and safety around the globe. Yet, development of alternative forms of vaccines remains beneficial, particularly those with simpler production processes, less stringent storage conditions, and the capability of being used in heterologous prime/boost regimens which have shown improved efficacy against many diseases. Here we reported a novel DNA vaccine comprised of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein fused with CD40 ligand (CD40L) serving as both a targeting ligand and molecular adjuvant. A single intramuscular injection in Syrian hamsters induced significant neutralizing antibodies 3-weeks after vaccination, with a boost substantially improving immune responses. Moreover, the vaccine also reduced weight loss and suppressed viral replication in the lungs and nasal turbinates of challenged animals. Finally, the incorporation of CD40L into the DNA vaccine was shown to reduce lung pathology more effectively than the DNA vaccine devoid of CD40L. These results collectively indicate that this DNA vaccine candidate could be further explored because of its efficacy and known safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Levi A. Tamming
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Diana Duque
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Anh Tran
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Wanyue Zhang
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Annabelle Pfeifle
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Laryea
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jianguo Wu
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sathya N. Thulasi Raman
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Caroline Gravel
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Marsha S. Russell
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Anwar M. Hashem
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem M. Alsulaiman
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rowa Y. Alhabbab
- Vaccines and Immunotherapy Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jun Gao
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - David Safronetz
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Jingxin Cao
- National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Lisheng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Wangxue Chen
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J. W. Johnston
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Simon Sauve
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Rosu-Myles
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Xuguang Li
- Centre for Biologics Evaluation, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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17
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Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a DNA vaccine inducing optimal expression of the SARS-CoV-2 S gene in hACE2 mice. Arch Virol 2022; 167:2519-2528. [PMID: 36083350 PMCID: PMC9462073 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-022-05562-z] [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: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The wide spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has significantly threatened public health. Human herd immunity induced by vaccination is essential to fight the epidemic. Therefore, highly immunogenic and safe vaccines are necessary to control SARS-CoV-2, whose S protein is the antigenic determinant responsible for eliciting antibodies that prevent viral entry and fusion. In this study, we developed a SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine expressing the S protein, named pVAX-S-OP, which was optimized according to the human-origin codon preference and using polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid as an adjuvant. pVAX-S-OP induced specific antibodies and neutralizing antibodies in BALB/c and hACE2 transgenic mice. Furthermore, we observed 1.43-fold higher antibody titers in mice receiving pVAX-S-OP plus adjuvant than in those receiving pVAX-S-OP alone. Interferon gamma production in the pVAX-S-OP-immunized group was 1.58 times (CD3+CD4+IFN-gamma+) and 2.29 times (CD3+CD8+IFN-gamma+) lower than that in the pVAX-S-OP plus adjuvant group but higher than that in the control group. The pVAX-S-OP vaccine was also observed to stimulate a Th1-type immune response. When, hACE2 transgenic mice were challenged with SARS-CoV-2, qPCR detection of N and E genes showed that the viral RNA loads in pVAX-S-OP-immunized mice lung tissues were 104 times and 106 times lower than those of the PBS control group, which shows that the vaccine could reduce the amount of live virus in the lungs of hACE2 mice. In addition, pathological sections showed less lung damage in the pVAX-S-OP-immunized group. Taken together, our results demonstrated that pVAX-S-OP has significant immunogenicity, which provides support for developing SARS-CoV-2 DNA candidate vaccines.
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18
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Insights into COVID-19 Vaccine Development Based on Immunogenic Structural Proteins of SARS-CoV-2, Host Immune Responses, and Herd Immunity. Cells 2021; 10:cells10112949. [PMID: 34831172 PMCID: PMC8616290 DOI: 10.3390/cells10112949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The first quarter of the 21st century has remarkably been characterized by a multitude of challenges confronting human society as a whole in terms of several outbreaks of infectious viral diseases, such as the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), China; the 2009 influenza H1N1, Mexico; the 2012 Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Saudi Arabia; and the ongoing coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), China. COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, reportedly broke out in December 2019, Wuhan, the capital of China’s Hubei province, and continues unabated, leading to considerable devastation and death worldwide. The most common target organ of SARS-CoV-2 is the lungs, especially the bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells, culminating in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in severe patients. Nevertheless, other tissues and organs are also known to be critically affected following infection, thereby complicating the overall aetiology and prognosis. Excluding H1N1, the SARS-CoV (also referred as SARS-CoV-1), MERS, and SARS-CoV-2 are collectively referred to as coronaviruses, and taxonomically placed under the realm Riboviria, order Nidovirales, suborder Cornidovirineae, family Coronaviridae, subfamily Orthocoronavirinae, genus Betacoronavirus, and subgenus Sarbecovirus. As of 23 September 2021, the ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has globally resulted in around 229 million and 4.7 million reported infections and deaths, respectively, apart from causing huge psychosomatic debilitation, academic loss, and deep economic recession. Such an unprecedented pandemic has compelled researchers, especially epidemiologists and immunologists, to search for SARS-CoV-2-associated potential immunogenic molecules to develop a vaccine as an immediate prophylactic measure. Amongst multiple structural and non-structural proteins, the homotrimeric spike (S) glycoprotein has been empirically found as the most suitable candidate for vaccine development owing to its immense immunogenic potential, which makes it capable of eliciting both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. As a consequence, it has become possible to design appropriate, safe, and effective vaccines, apart from related therapeutic agents, to reduce both morbidity and mortality. As of 23 September 2021, four vaccines, namely, Comirnaty, COVID-19 vaccine Janssen, Spikevax, and Vaxzevria, have received the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) approval, and around thirty are under the phase three clinical trial with emergency authorization by the vaccine-developing country-specific National Regulatory Authority (NRA). In addition, 100–150 vaccines are under various phases of pre-clinical and clinical trials. The mainstay of global vaccination is to introduce herd immunity, which would protect the majority of the population, including immunocompromised individuals, from infection and disease. Here, we primarily discuss category-wise vaccine development, their respective advantages and disadvantages, associated efficiency and potential safety aspects, antigenicity of SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins and immune responses to them along with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 VOC, and the urgent need of achieving herd immunity to contain the pandemic.
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