Open AccessA class II MHC-targeted vaccine elicits immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants
Author(s) -
Novalia Pishesha,
Thibault J. Harmand,
Paul W. Rothlauf,
Patrique Praest,
R. S. Alexander,
Renate van den Doel,
Mariel J. Liebeskind,
Marianna Vakaki,
Nicholas McCaul,
Charlotte Wijne,
Elisha R. Verhaar,
William Pinney,
Hailey M. Heston,
Louis-Marie Bloyet,
Marjorie Cornejo Pontelli,
Ma. Xenia G. Ilagan,
Robert Jan Lebbink,
William J. Buchser,
Emmanuel J. H. J. Wiertz,
Sean P. J. Whelan,
Hidde L. Ploegh
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2116147118
Subject(s) - virology , immunity , immunology , antigen , immunization , major histocompatibility complex , biology , antibody , cd8 , immune system , pandemic , neutralizing antibody , medicine , covid-19 , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , pathology
Significance Vaccines remain the best hope of curtailing SARS-CoV-2 transmission, morbidity, and mortality. Currently available vaccines require cold storage and sophisticated manufacturing capacity, complicating their distribution, especially in less developed countries. We report a protein-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine that directly and specifically targets antigen-presenting cells. It consists of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike receptor-binding domain (SpikeRBD ) fused to a nanobody that recognizes class II major histocompatibility complex antigens (VHHMHCII ). Our vaccine elicits robust humoral (high-titer binding and neutralizing antibodies) and cellular immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in both young and aged mice. VHHMHCII -SpikeRBD is stable for at least 7 d at room temperature and can be lyophilized without loss of efficacy, desirable attributes for logistical reasons.