Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are highly suited platforms for protein-based vaccines. In the present work, we adapted a previously designed non-infectious adenovirus-inspired 60-mer dodecahedric VLP (ADDomer) to display a multimeric array of large antigens through a SpyTag/SpyCatcher system. To validate the platform as a potential COVID-19 vaccine approach, we decorated the newly designed VLP with the glycosylated receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2. Cryoelectron microscopy structure revealed that up to 60 copies of this antigenic domain could be bound on a single ADDomer particle, with the symmetrical arrangements of a dodecahedron. Mouse immunization with the RBD decorated VLPs already showed a significant specific humoral response following prime vaccination, greatly reinforced by a single boost. Neutralization assays with SARS-CoV-2 spike pseudo-typed virus demonstrated the elicitation of strong neutralization titers, superior to those of COVID-19 convalescent patients. Notably, the presence of pre-existing immunity against the adenoviral-derived particles did not hamper the immune response against the antigen displayed on its surface. This plug and play vaccine platform represents a promising new highly versatile tool to combat emergent pathogens.
Keywords: Adenovirus; Antigen display; COVID-19; Neutralizing antibodies; Receptor-binding domain; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccine platform; Virus-like particle.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Neutralizing antibodies, Adenovirus, Receptor-binding domain, vaccine platform, Antigen display, Virus-like particle, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19 vaccine, immune response, vaccination, virus, immunization, Particle, Receptor binding domain, Antigen, RBD, Pathogens, Cryoelectron microscopy, mouse, platform, pre-existing immunity, boost, VLP, neutralization titers, SARS-CoV-2 spike, Protein-based vaccines, humoral, antigenic, domain, non-infectious, VLPs, approach, COVID-19 convalescent patients, demonstrated, the RBD, glycosylated, dodecahedron, 【제목키워드】 immunization, response, platform, SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody,