SARS-CoV-2 is the underlying cause for the COVID-19 pandemic. Like most enveloped RNA viruses, SARS-CoV-2 uses a homotrimeric surface antigen to gain entry into host cells. Here we describe S-Trimer, a native-like trimeric subunit vaccine candidate for COVID-19 based on Trimer-Tag technology. Immunization of S-Trimer with either AS03 (oil-in-water emulsion) or CpG 1018 (TLR9 agonist) plus alum adjuvants induced high-level of neutralizing antibodies and Th1-biased cellular immune responses in animal models. Moreover, rhesus macaques immunized with adjuvanted S-Trimer were protected from SARS-CoV-2 challenge compared to vehicle controls, based on clinical observations and reduction of viral loads in lungs. Trimer-Tag may be an important platform technology for scalable production and rapid development of safe and effective subunit vaccines against current and future emerging RNA viruses. Vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 are needed to fight the pandemic. Here the authors show immunogenicity of an adjuvanted subunit vaccine, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein trimerized with trimer-tag technology, in small animal models and protection from SARS-CoV-2 challenge in non-human primates.
【저자키워드】 SARS-CoV-2, Vaccines, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, neutralizing antibody, Vaccine, immunogenicity, pandemic, Neutralizing antibodies, Cellular immune response, COVID-19 pandemic, animal model, animal models, immunization, Spike protein, Antigen, surface antigen, Viral load, non-human primates, RNA viruses, immune responses, Lungs, SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, vaccine candidate, Subunit vaccine, adjuvant, platform, CpG, rhesus macaques, rhesus macaque, clinical observations, alum, Safe, AS03, host cells, water, reduction, subunit, viral loads, TLR9, enveloped RNA viruses, controls, effective, immunized, trimeric, Like, clinical observation, 【제목키워드】 COVID-19, protective immunity, vaccine candidate, subunit, induce,