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Rapid and cost‐effective process based on insect larvae for scale‐up production of SARS‐COV‐2 spike protein for serological COVID‐19 testing
Author(s) -
Smith Ignacio,
Mc Callum Gregorio Juan,
Sabljic Adriana Victoria,
Marfia Juan Ignacio,
Bombicino Silvina Sonia,
Trabucchi Aldana,
Iacono Ruben Francisco,
Birenbaum Joaquín Manuel,
Vazquez Susana Claudia,
Minoia Juan Mauricio,
Cascone Osvaldo,
López María Gabriela,
Taboga Oscar,
Targovnik Alexandra Marisa,
Wolman Federico Javier,
Fingermann Matías,
Alonso Leonardo Gabriel,
Valdez Silvioemí,
Miranda María Victoria
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.27889
Subject(s) - serology , virology , biology , antibody , virus , covid-19 , immunity , recombinant dna , immune system , antigen , baculoviridae , immunology , medicine , gene , spodoptera , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , biochemistry
Serology testing for COVID‐19 is important in evaluating active immune response against SARS‐CoV‐2, studying the antibody kinetics, and monitoring reinfections with genetic variants and new virus strains, in particular, the duration of antibodies in virus‐exposed individuals and vaccine‐mediated immunity. In this study, recombinant S protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 was expressed in Rachiplusia nu , an important agronomic plague. One gram of insect larvae produces an amount of S protein sufficient for 150 determinations in the ELISA method herein developed. We established a rapid production process for SARS‐CoV‐2 S protein that showed immunoreactivity for anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies and was used as a single antigen for developing the ELISA method with high sensitivity (96.2%) and specificity (98.8%). Our findings provide an efficient and cost‐effective platform for large‐scale S protein production, and the scale‐up is linear, thus avoiding the use of complex equipment like bioreactors.