scholarly journals Immunogenicity and efficacy of the COVID-19 candidate vector vaccine MVA SARS 2 S in preclinical vaccination

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alina Tscherne ◽  
Jan Hendrik Schwarz ◽  
Cornelius Rohde ◽  
Alexandra Kupke ◽  
Georgia Kalodimou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccinia Virus ◽  
Clinical Evaluation ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Infectious Agent ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Candidate Vaccine ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Vector Vaccine

AbstractThe severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as the infectious agent causing the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with dramatic consequences for global human health and economics. Previously, we reached clinical evaluation with our vector vaccine based on vaccinia virus MVA against the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which causes an infection in humans similar to SARS and COVID-19. Here, we describe the construction and preclinical characterization of a recombinant MVA expressing full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein (MVA-SARS-2-S). Genetic stability and growth characteristics of MVA-SARS-2-S, plus its robust synthesis of S antigen, make it a suitable candidate vaccine for industrial scale production. Vaccinated mice produced S antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and serum antibodies binding to S glycoprotein that neutralized SARS-CoV-2. Prime-boost vaccination with MVA-SARS-2-S protected mice sensitized with a human ACE2-expressing adenovirus from SARS-CoV-2 infection. MVA-SARS-2-S is currently being investigated in a phase I clinical trial as aspirant for developing a safe and efficacious vaccine against COVID-19.Significance StatementThe highly attenuated vaccinia virus MVA is licensed as smallpox vaccine, and as vector it is a component of the approved Adenovirus-MVA-based prime-boost vaccine against Ebola virus disease. Here we provide results from testing the COVID-19 candidate vaccine MVA-SARS-2-S, a poxvirus-based vector vaccine that proceeded to clinical evaluation. When administered by intramuscular inoculation, MVA-SARS-2-S expresses and safely delivers the full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein, inducing balanced SARS-CoV-2-specific cellular and humoral immunity, and protective efficacy in vaccinated mice. Substantial clinical experience has already been gained with MVA vectors using homologous and heterologous prime-boost applications, including the immunization of children and immunocompromised individuals. Thus, MVA-SARS-2-S represents an important resource for developing further optimized COVID-19 vaccines.

scholarly journals Immunogenicity and efficacy of the COVID-19 candidate vector vaccine MVA-SARS-2-S in preclinical vaccination

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (28) ◽  
pp. e2026207118
Author(s):  
Alina Tscherne ◽  
Jan Hendrik Schwarz ◽  
Cornelius Rohde ◽  
Alexandra Kupke ◽  
Georgia Kalodimou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Agent ◽  
Growth Characteristics ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Suitable Candidate ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Vector Vaccine ◽  
Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara ◽  
Efficacious Vaccine ◽  
Industrial Scale Production

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has emerged as the infectious agent causing the pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with dramatic consequences for global human health and economics. Previously, we reached clinical evaluation with our vector vaccine based on modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) against the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which causes an infection in humans similar to SARS and COVID-19. Here, we describe the construction and preclinical characterization of a recombinant MVA expressing full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein (MVA-SARS-2-S). Genetic stability and growth characteristics of MVA-SARS-2-S, plus its robust expression of S protein as antigen, make it a suitable candidate vaccine for industrial-scale production. Vaccinated mice produced S-specific CD8+ T cells and serum antibodies binding to S protein that neutralized SARS-CoV-2. Prime-boost vaccination with MVA-SARS-2-S protected mice sensitized with a human ACE2-expressing adenovirus from SARS-CoV-2 infection. MVA-SARS-2-S is currently being investigated in a phase I clinical trial as aspirant for developing a safe and efficacious vaccine against COVID-19.

scholarly journals Comparative Protective Efficacies of Novel Avian Paramyxovirus-Vectored Vaccines against Virulent Infectious Bronchitis Virus in Chickens

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 697
Author(s):  
Edris Shirvani ◽  
Siba K. Samal
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Bronchitis Virus ◽  
Vaccine Candidate ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Avian Paramyxovirus ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Vector Vaccine ◽  
Infectious Bronchitis ◽  
Boost Immunization ◽  
Highly Virulent

Viral vectored vaccines are desirable alternatives for conventional infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccines. We have recently shown that a recombinant Newcastle disease virus (rNDV) strain LaSota expressing the spike (S) protein of IBV strain Mass-41 (rLaSota/IBV-S) was a promising vaccine candidate for IBV. Here we evaluated a novel chimeric rNDV/avian paramyxovirus serotype 2 (rNDV/APMV-2) as a vaccine vector against IBV. The rNDV/APMV-2 vector was chosen because it is much safer than the rNDV strain LaSota vector, particularly for young chicks and chicken embryos. In order to determine the effectiveness of this vector, a recombinant rNDV/APMV-2 expressing the S protein of IBV strain Mass-41 (rNDV/APMV-2/IBV-S) was constructed. The protective efficacy of this vector vaccine was compared to that of the rNDV vector vaccine. In one study, groups of one-day-old specific-pathogenic-free (SPF) chickens were immunized with rLaSota/IBV-S and rNDV/APMV-2/IBV-S and challenged four weeks later with the homologous highly virulent IBV strain Mass-41. In another study, groups of broiler chickens were single (at day one or three weeks of age) or prime-boost (prime at day one and boost at three weeks of age) immunized with rLaSota/IBV-S and/or rNDV-APMV-2/IBV-S. At weeks six of age, chickens were challenged with a highly virulent IBV strain Mass-41. Our challenge study showed that novel rNDV/APMV-2/IBV-S provided similar protection as rLaSota/IBV-S in SPF chickens. However, compared to prime-boost immunization of chickens with chimeric rNDV/APMV-2, rLaSota/IBV-S and/or a live IBV vaccine, single immunization of chickens with rLaSota/IBV-S, or live IBV vaccine provided better protection against IBV. In conclusion, we have developed the novel rNDV/APMV-2 vector expressing S protein of IBV that can be a safer vaccine against IB in chickens. Our results also suggest a single immunization with a LaSota vectored IBV vaccine candidate provides better protection than prime-boost immunization regimens.

scholarly journals Development of a Viral-Like Particle Candidate Vaccine Against Novel Variant Infectious Bursal Disease Virus

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 142
Author(s):  
Yulong Wang ◽  
Nan Jiang ◽  
Linjin Fan ◽  
Li Gao ◽  
Kai Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Infectious Bursal Disease Virus ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Size Exclusion ◽  
Candidate Vaccine ◽  
Infectious Bursal Disease ◽  
Immune Protection ◽  
Bursal Disease ◽  
Novel Variant

Infectious bursal disease (IBD), an immunosuppressive disease of young chickens, is caused by infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). Novel variant IBDV (nVarIBDV), a virus that can evade immune protection against very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV), is becoming a threat to the poultry industry. Therefore, nVarIBDV-specific vaccine is much needed for nVarIBDV control. In this study, the VP2 protein of SHG19 (a representative strain of nVarIBDV) was successfully expressed using an Escherichia coli expression system and further purified via ammonium sulfate precipitation and size-exclusion chromatography. The purified protein SHG19-VP2-466 could self-assemble into 25-nm virus-like particle (VLP). Subsequently, the immunogenicity and protective effect of the SHG19-VLP vaccine were evaluated using animal experiments, which indicated that the SHG19-VLP vaccine elicited neutralization antibodies and provided 100% protection against the nVarIBDV. Furthermore, the protective efficacy of the SHG19-VLP vaccine against the vvIBDV was evaluated. Although the SHG19-VLP vaccine induced a comparatively lower vvIBDV-specific neutralization antibody titer, it provided good protection against the lethal vvIBDV. In summary, the SHG19-VLP candidate vaccine could provide complete immune protection against the homologous nVarIBDV as well as the heterologous vvIBDV. This study is of significance to the comprehensive prevention and control of the recent atypical IBD epidemic.

scholarly journals Role of Small Envelope Protein in Sustaining the Intracellular and Extracellular Levels of Hepatitis B Virus Large and Middle Envelope Proteins

Viruses ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 613
Author(s):  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Yongxiang Wang ◽  
Shuwen Fu ◽  
Quan Yuan ◽  
Qianru Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Envelope Proteins ◽  
Full Length ◽  
M Protein ◽  
Intracellular Level ◽  
S Protein ◽  
L Protein ◽  
M Proteins ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Subviral Particle ◽  
Genotype A

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) expresses co-terminal large (L), middle (M), and small (S) envelope proteins. S protein drives virion and subviral particle secretion, whereas L protein inhibits subviral particle secretion but coordinates virion morphogenesis. We previously found that preventing S protein expression from a subgenomic construct eliminated M protein. The present study further examined impact of S protein on L and M proteins. Mutations were introduced to subgenomic construct of genotype A or 1.1mer replication construct of genotype A or D, and viral proteins were analyzed from transfected Huh7 cells. Mutating S gene ATG to prevent expression of full-length S protein eliminated M protein, reduced intracellular level of L protein despite its blocked secretion, and generated a truncated S protein through translation initiation from a downstream ATG. Truncated S protein was secretion deficient and could inhibit secretion of L, M, S proteins from wild-type constructs. Providing full-length S protein in trans rescued L protein secretion and increased its intracellular level from mutants of lost S gene ATG. Lost core protein expression reduced all the three envelope proteins. In conclusion, full-length S protein could sustain intracellular and extracellular L and M proteins, while truncated S protein could block subviral particle secretion.

scholarly journals Cryo-EM structure of S-Trimer, a subunit vaccine candidate for COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiahao Ma ◽  
Danmei Su ◽  
Yinyan Sun ◽  
Xueqin Huang ◽  
Ying Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Subunit Vaccine ◽  
Vaccine Candidate ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Closed Conformation ◽  
A Subunit

Within a year after its emergence, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected over 100 million people worldwide with a death toll over 2 million. Vaccination remains the best hope to ultimately put this pandemic to an end. Here, using Trimer-Tag technology, we produced both wild-type (WT) and furin site mutant (MT) S-Trimers for COVID-19 vaccine studies. Cryo-EM structures of the WT and MT S-Trimers, determined at 3.2 Å and 2.6 Å respectively, revealed that both antigens adopt a tightly closed conformation and their structures are essentially identical to that of the previously solved full-length WT S protein in detergent. The tightly closed conformation is stabilized by fatty acid and polysorbate 80 binding at the receptor binding domains (RBDs) and the N terminal domains (NTDs) respectively. Additionally, we identified an important pH switch in the WT S-Trimer that shows dramatic conformational change and accounts for its increased stability at lower pH. These results validate Trimer-Tag as a platform technology in production of metastable WT S-Trimer as a candidate for COVID-19 subunit vaccine. IMPORTANCE Effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 is critical to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, using Trimer-Tag technology, we are able to produce stable and large quantities of WT S-Trimer, a subunit vaccine candidate for COVID-19 with high safety and efficacy from animal and Phase 1 clinical trial studies. Cryo-EM structures of the S-Trimer subunit vaccine candidate show that it predominately adopts tightly closed pre-fusion state, and resembles that of the native and full-length spike in detergent, confirming its structural integrity. WT S-Trimer is currently being evaluated in global Phase 2/3 clinical trial. Combining with published structures of the S protein, we also propose a model to dissect the conformation change of the spike protein before receptor binding.

scholarly journals Systematic evaluation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis proteins for antigenic properties identifies Rv1485 and Rv1705c as potential protective subunit vaccine candidates

2020 ◽  
pp. IAI.00585-20
Author(s):  
Yaguo Wang ◽  
Zihui Li ◽  
Shucai Wu ◽  
Joy Fleming ◽  
Chuanyou Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Infectious Agent ◽  
Systematic Evaluation ◽  
Limiting Factor ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
Antigenic Properties

Lack of efficacious vaccines against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection is a limiting factor in the prevention and control of tuberculosis (TB), the leading cause of death from an infectious agent. Improvement or replacement of the BCG vaccine with one that reliably protects all age-groups is urgent. Concerns exist that antigens currently being evaluated are too homogeneous. To identify new protective antigens, we screened 1781 proteins from a high-throughput proteome-wide protein purification study for antigenic activity. Forty-nine antigens (34 previously unreported) induced antigen-specific IFN-γ release from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from 4452 TB and suspected TB patients and 167 healthy donors. Three (Rv1485, Rv1705c and Rv1802) of the 20 antigens evaluated in a BALB/c mouse challenge model showed protective efficacy, reducing lung CFU counts by 66.2%, 75.8%, and 60%, respectively. Evaluation of IgG2a:IgG1 ratios and cytokine release indicated that Rv1485 and Rv1705c induce a protective Th1 immune response. Epitope analysis of PE/PPE protein Rv1705c, the strongest candidate, identified a dominant epitope in its extreme N-terminal domain accounting for 90% of its immune response. Systematic pre-clinical assessment of antigens Rv1485 and Rv1705c is warranted.

scholarly journals Cross-reactive neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 by serum antibodies from recovered SARS patients and immunized animals

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (45) ◽  
pp. eabc9999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanmei Zhu ◽  
Danwei Yu ◽  
Yang Han ◽  
Hongxia Yan ◽  
Huihui Chong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
Receptor Binding ◽  
Binding Domain ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Receptor Binding Domain ◽  
Serum Antibodies ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
S Protein ◽  
Novel Coronavirus

The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a novel coronavirus genetically close to SARS-CoV. To investigate the effects of previous SARS-CoV infection on the ability to recognize and neutralize SARS-CoV-2, we analyzed 20 convalescent serum samples collected from individuals infected with SARS-CoV during the 2003 SARS outbreak. All patient sera reacted strongly with the S1 subunit and receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV; cross-reacted with the S ectodomain, S1, RBD, and S2 proteins of SARS-CoV-2; and neutralized both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 S protein–driven infections. Analysis of antisera from mice and rabbits immunized with a full-length S and RBD immunogens of SARS-CoV verified cross-reactive neutralization against SARS-CoV-2. A SARS-CoV–derived RBD from palm civets elicited more potent cross-neutralizing responses in immunized animals than the RBD from a human SARS-CoV strain, informing strategies for development of universal vaccines against emerging coronaviruses.

scholarly journals Novel Cross-Reactive Monoclonal Antibodies against Ebolavirus Glycoproteins Show Protection in a Murine Challenge Model

2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
James Duehr ◽  
Teddy John Wohlbold ◽  
Lisa Oestereich ◽  
Veronika Chromikova ◽  
Fatima Amanat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus ◽  
Viral Vector ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Protective Efficacy ◽  
Influenza Viruses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Zaire Ebolavirus ◽  
Vesicular Stomatitis

ABSTRACT Out of an estimated 31,100 cases since their discovery in 1976, ebolaviruses have caused approximately 13,000 deaths. The vast majority (∼11,000) of these occurred during the 2013-2016 West African epidemic. Three out of five species in the genus are known to cause Ebola Virus Disease in humans. Several monoclonal antibodies against the ebolavirus glycoprotein are currently in development as therapeutics. However, there is still a paucity of monoclonal antibodies that can cross-react between the glycoproteins of different ebolavirus species, and the mechanism of these monoclonal antibody therapeutics is still not understood in detail. Here, we generated a panel of eight murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) utilizing a prime-boost vaccination regimen with a Zaire ebolavirus glycoprotein expression plasmid followed by infection with a vesicular stomatitis virus expressing the Zaire ebolavirus glycoprotein. We tested the binding breadth of the resulting monoclonal antibodies using a set of recombinant surface glycoproteins from Reston, Taï Forest, Bundibugyo, Zaire, Sudan, and Marburg viruses and found two antibodies that showed pan-ebolavirus binding. An in vivo Stat2 −/− mouse model was utilized to test the ability of these MAbs to protect from infection with a vesicular stomatitis virus expressing the Zaire ebolavirus glycoprotein. Several of our antibodies, including the broadly binding ones, protected mice from mortality despite lacking neutralization capability in vitro, suggesting their protection may be mediated by Fc-FcR interactions. Indeed, three antibodies displayed cellular phagocytosis and/or antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro. Our antibodies, specifically the two identified cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies (KL-2E5 and KL-2H7), might add to the understanding of anti-ebolavirus humoral immunity. IMPORTANCE This study describes the generation of a panel of novel anti-ebolavirus glycoprotein monoclonal antibodies, including two antibodies with broad cross-reactivity to all known ebolavirus species. The antibodies were raised using a heterologous DNA-viral vector prime-boost regimen, resulting in a high proportion of cross-reactive antibodies (25%). Similar vaccination regimens have been used successfully to induce broad protection against influenza viruses in humans, and our limited data indicate that this might be a useful strategy for filovirus vaccines as well. Several of our antibodies showed protective efficacy when tested in a novel murine challenge model and may be developed into future therapeutics.

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