The rapid development of a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is a global priority. Here, we develop two capsid-like particle (CLP)-based vaccines displaying the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. RBD antigens are displayed on AP205 CLPs through a split-protein Tag/Catcher, ensuring unidirectional and high-density display of RBD. Both soluble recombinant RBD and RBD displayed on CLPs bind the ACE2 receptor with nanomolar affinity. Mice are vaccinated with soluble RBD or CLP-displayed RBD, formulated in Squalene-Water-Emulsion. The RBD-CLP vaccines induce higher levels of serum anti-spike antibodies than the soluble RBD vaccines. Remarkably, one injection with our lead RBD-CLP vaccine in mice elicits virus neutralization antibody titers comparable to those found in patients that had recovered from COVID-19. Following booster vaccinations, the virus neutralization titers exceed those measured after natural infection, at serum dilutions above 1:10,000. Thus, the RBD-CLP vaccine is a highly promising candidate for preventing COVID-19. Here the authors generate a capsid-like particle based vaccine candidate displaying the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and show induction of neutralizing antibodies after intramuscular prime-boost immunization in mice.
【저자키워드】 Molecular medicine, Preclinical research, 【초록키워드】 COVID-19, neutralizing antibody, Vaccine, Vaccines, ACE2 receptor, immunization, SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, Spike protein, serum, mice, RBD, Patient, Antibody titer, Virus neutralization, vaccine candidate, natural infection, anti-spike antibody, intramuscular, serum dilution, injection, nanomolar affinity, RBD antigen, high-density, booster vaccinations, develop, generate, elicit, the receptor-binding domain, induce, comparable, displaying, the SARS-CoV-2, 【제목키워드】 Particle, Virus neutralization, domain, elicit, the SARS-CoV-2,