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Development and preclinical evaluation of virus‐like particle vaccine against COVID‐19 infection
Author(s) -
Yilmaz Ismail Cem,
Ipekoglu Emre Mert,
Bulbul Artun,
Turay Nilsu,
Yildirim Muzaffer,
Evcili Irem,
Yilmaz Naz Surucu,
Guvencli Nese,
Aydin Yagmur,
Gungor Bilgi,
Saraydar Berfu,
Bartan Asli Gulce,
Ibibik Bilgehan,
Bildik Tugce,
Baydemir İlayda,
Sanli Hatice Asena,
Kayaoglu Basak,
Ceylan Yasemin,
Yildirim Tugce,
Abras Irem,
Ayanoglu Ihsan Cihan,
Cam Sefa Burak,
Ciftci Dede Eda,
Gizer Merve,
Erganis Osman,
Sarac Fahriye,
Uzar Serdar,
Enul Hakan,
Adiay Cumhur,
Aykut Gamze,
Polat Hivda,
Yildirim Ismail Selim,
Tekin Saban,
Korukluoglu Gulay,
Zeytin Hasan Ersin,
Korkusuz Petek,
Gursel Ihsan,
Gursel Mayda
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/all.15091
Subject(s) - immunogenicity , virology , virus like particle , antigen , immune system , virus , vaccination , biology , antibody , transfection , antibody titer , hek 293 cells , humoral immunity , titer , immunology , cell culture , recombinant dna , biochemistry , gene , genetics
Background Vaccines that incorporate multiple SARS‐CoV‐2 antigens can further broaden the breadth of virus‐specific cellular and humoral immunity. This study describes the development and immunogenicity of SARS‐CoV‐2 VLP vaccine that incorporates the four structural proteins of SARS‐CoV‐2. Methods VLPs were generated in transiently transfected HEK293 cells, purified by multimodal chromatography, and characterized by tunable‐resistive pulse sensing, AFM, SEM, and TEM. Immunoblotting studies verified the protein identities of VLPs. Cellular and humoral immune responses of immunized animals demonstrated the immune potency of the formulated VLP vaccine. Results Transiently transfected HEK293 cells reproducibly generated vesicular VLPs that were similar in size to and expressing all four structural proteins of SARS‐CoV‐2. Alum adsorbed, K3‐CpG ODN‐adjuvanted VLPs elicited high titer anti‐S, anti‐RBD, anti‐N IgG, triggered multifunctional Th1‐biased T‐cell responses, reduced virus load, and prevented lung pathology upon live virus challenge in vaccinated animals. Conclusion These data suggest that VLPs expressing all four structural protein antigens of SARS‐CoV‐2 are immunogenic and can protect animals from developing COVID‐19 infection following vaccination.