An enveloped virus-like particle vaccine expressing a stabilized prefusion form of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein elicits highly potent immunity. Issue 35 (16th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fluckiger, Anne-Catherine; Ontsouka, Barthelemy; Bozic, Jasminka; Diress, Abebaw; Ahmed, Tanvir; Berthoud, Tamara; Tran, Anh; Duque, Diane; Liao, Mingmin; McCluskie, Michael; Diaz-Mitoma, Francisco; Anderson, David E.; Soare, Catalina
• Is Part Of: Vaccine. Volume 39:Issue 35(2021)
• Page Start: 4988
• Page End: 5001
• Publication Date: 2021-08-16
• Subjects: SARS-COV-2 -- Vaccine -- Virus-like-particles -- Immunogenicity -- Neutralizing antibodies; eVLP enveloped virus-like particules -- SARS-CoV-2 Severe acute respiratory syndrome- coronavirus-2 -- COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 -- SARS Severe acute respiratory syndrome -- MERS Middle East respiratory syndrome -- RBD receptor binding domain -- TM-CTD transmembrane cytoplasmic terminal domain -- Ab antibody -- nAb neutralizing antibody -- MLV murine leukemia virus -- ELISA enzyme-linked-immuno-sorbent-assay -- PRNT plaque reduction neutralization test -- EPT end-point titer -- Alum aluminum -- ELISPOT Enzyme Linked ImmunoSpot Test -- IP Intraperitoneal -- IM Intramuscular -- NRC National Research Council Canada -- VIDO Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization; Vaccines -- Periodicals; 615.372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.07.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-410X

Abstract

Highlights: VBI-2902a is a VLP-based vaccine candidate against SARS-COV-2. VBI-2902a contains VLPs pseudotyped with a modified prefusion SARS-COV-2 S in Alum. VBI-2902a induces robust neutralization antibody responses against SARS-COV-2 S. VBI-2902a protects hamsters from SARS-CoV-2 induced lung inflammation. A single dose of VBI-2902a provides protective benefit in hamsters. Abstract: We evaluated enveloped virus-like particles (eVLPs) expressing various forms of the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein and several adjuvants in an effort to identify a highly potent Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine candidate. eVLPs expressing a modified prefusion form of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were selected as they induced high antibody binding titers and neutralizing activity after a single injection in mice. Formulation of SARS-CoV-2 S eVLPs with aluminum phosphate resulted in balanced induction of IgG2 and IgG1 isotypes and antibody binding and neutralization titers were undiminished for more than 3 months after a single immunization. A single dose of this candidate, named VBI-2902a, protected Syrian golden hamsters from challenge with SARS-CoV-2 and supports the on-going clinical evaluation of VBI-2902a as a highly potent vaccine against COVID-19.