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Hirschberg S, Ghazaani F, Ben Amor G, Pydde M, Nagel A, Germani S, Monica L, Schlör A, Bauer H, Hornung J, Voetz M, Dwai Y, Scheer B, Ringel F, Kamal-Eddin O, Harms C, Füner J, Adrian L, Pruß A, Schulze-Forster K, Hanack K, Kamhieh-Milz J. An Efficient and Scalable Method for the Production of Immunogenic SARS-CoV-2 Virus-like Particles (VLP) from a Mammalian Suspension Cell Line. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1469. [PMID: 37766145 PMCID: PMC10535180 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid evolution of new SARS-CoV-2 variants poses a continuing threat to human health. Vaccination has become the primary therapeutic intervention. The goal of the current work was the construction of immunogenic virus-like particles (VLPs). Here, we describe a human cell line for cost-efficient and scalable production of immunogenic SARS-CoV-2 VLPs. The modular design of the VLP-production platform facilitates rapid adaptation to new variants. Methods: The N, M-, and E-protein genes were integrated into the genome of Expi293 cells (ExpiVLP_MEN). Subsequently, this cell line was further modified for the constitutive expression of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The resulting cell line (ExpiVLP_SMEN) released SARS-CoV-2 VLP upon exposure to doxycycline. ExpiVLP_SMEN cells were readily adapted for VLP production in a 5 L bioreactor. Purified VLPs were quantified by Western blot, ELISA, and nanoparticle tracking analysis and visualized by electron microscopy. Immunogenicity was tested in mice. Results: The generated VLPs contained all four structural proteins, are within the size range of authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, and reacted strongly and specifically with immunoserum from naturally infected individuals. The VLPs were stable in suspension at 4 °C for at least 10 weeks. Mice immunized with VLPs developed neutralizing antibodies against lentiviruses pseudotyped with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The flexibility of the VLP-production platform was demonstrated by the rapid switch of the spike protein to a new variant of concern (BA.1/Omicron). The present study describes an efficient, scalable, and adaptable production method of immunogenic SARS-CoV-2 VLPs with therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Hirschberg
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- Preclinics Certified Products GmbH, 14482 Potsdam, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Saveria Germani
- Preclinics Gesellschaft für Präklinische Forschung mbH, 14482 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Lara Monica
- Preclinics Gesellschaft für Präklinische Forschung mbH, 14482 Potsdam, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Yamen Dwai
- Preclinics Gesellschaft für Präklinische Forschung mbH, 14482 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Benjamin Scheer
- Department Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | - Christoph Harms
- Center for Stroke Research Berlin with Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Jonas Füner
- Preclinics Gesellschaft für Präklinische Forschung mbH, 14482 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Lorenz Adrian
- Department Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
- Chair of Geobiotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, 13355 Berlin, Germany
| | - Axel Pruß
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Katja Hanack
- New/Era/Mabs GmbH, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
- Department of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Julian Kamhieh-Milz
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, 10117 Berlin, Germany
- DHS—Diagnostic HealthCare Solutions GmbH, 13347 Berlin, Germany
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