RESUMEN
The primary two-dose SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine series are strongly immunogenic in humans, but the emergence of highly infectious variants necessitated additional doses and the development of vaccines aimed at the new variants1-4. SARS-CoV-2 booster immunizations in humans primarily recruit pre-existing memory B cells5-9. However, it remains unclear whether the additional doses induce germinal centre reactions whereby re-engaged B cells can further mature, and whether variant-derived vaccines can elicit responses to variant-specific epitopes. Here we show that boosting with an mRNA vaccine against the original monovalent SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine or the bivalent B.1.351 and B.1.617.2 (Beta/Delta) mRNA vaccine induced robust spike-specific germinal centre B cell responses in humans. The germinal centre response persisted for at least eight weeks, leading to significantly more mutated antigen-specific bone marrow plasma cell and memory B cell compartments. Spike-binding monoclonal antibodies derived from memory B cells isolated from individuals boosted with either the original SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, bivalent Beta/Delta vaccine or a monovalent Omicron BA.1-based vaccine predominantly recognized the original SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Nonetheless, using a more targeted sorting approach, we isolated monoclonal antibodies that recognized the BA.1 spike protein but not the original SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from individuals who received the mRNA-1273.529 booster; these antibodies were less mutated and recognized novel epitopes within the spike protein, suggesting that they originated from naive B cells. Thus, SARS-CoV-2 booster immunizations in humans induce robust germinal centre B cell responses and can generate de novo B cell responses targeting variant-specific epitopes.
Asunto(s)
Linfocitos B , Vacunas contra la COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Centro Germinal , Inmunización Secundaria , Humanos , Anticuerpos Monoclonales/inmunología , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/inmunología , Anticuerpos Antivirales/inmunología , COVID-19/inmunología , COVID-19/prevención & control , COVID-19/virología , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/administración & dosificación , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/inmunología , SARS-CoV-2/genética , SARS-CoV-2/inmunología , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/genética , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/inmunología , Linfocitos B/citología , Linfocitos B/inmunología , Centro Germinal/citología , Centro Germinal/inmunología , Células Plasmáticas/citología , Células Plasmáticas/inmunología , Células B de Memoria/citología , Células B de Memoria/inmunología , Epítopos de Linfocito B/genética , Epítopos de Linfocito B/inmunologíaRESUMEN
Protein tertiary structure mimetics are valuable tools to target large protein-protein interaction interfaces. Here, we demonstrate a strategy for designing dimeric helix-hairpin motifs from a previously reported three-helix-bundle miniprotein that targets the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Through truncation of the third helix and optimization of the interhelical loop residues of the miniprotein, we developed a thermostable dimeric helix-hairpin. The dimeric four-helix bundle competes with the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in binding to RBD with 2:2 stoichiometry. Cryogenic-electron microscopy revealed the formation of dimeric spike ectodomain trimer by the four-helix bundle, where all the three RBDs from either spike protein are attached head-to-head in an open conformation, revealing a novel mechanism for virus neutralization. The proteomimetic protects hamsters from high dose viral challenge with replicative SARS-CoV-2 viruses, demonstrating the promise of this class of peptides that inhibit protein-protein interaction through target dimerization.
Asunto(s)
Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2 , COVID-19 , Dimerización , Humanos , Péptidos/metabolismo , Peptidil-Dipeptidasa A/química , Peptidil-Dipeptidasa A/metabolismo , Unión Proteica , SARS-CoV-2 , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/química , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/metabolismoRESUMEN
Virtually all SARS-CoV-2 vaccines currently in clinical testing are stored in a refrigerated or frozen state prior to use. This is a major impediment to deployment in resource-poor settings. Furthermore, several of them use viral vectors or mRNA. In contrast to protein subunit vaccines, there is limited manufacturing expertise for these nucleic-acid-based modalities, especially in the developing world. Neutralizing antibodies, the clearest known correlate of protection against SARS-CoV-2, are primarily directed against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral spike protein, suggesting that a suitable RBD construct might serve as a more accessible vaccine ingredient. We describe a monomeric, glycan-engineered RBD protein fragment that is expressed at a purified yield of 214 mg/l in unoptimized, mammalian cell culture and, in contrast to a stabilized spike ectodomain, is tolerant of exposure to temperatures as high as 100 °C when lyophilized, up to 70 °C in solution and stable for over 4 weeks at 37 °C. In prime:boost guinea pig immunizations, when formulated with the MF59-like adjuvant AddaVax, the RBD derivative elicited neutralizing antibodies with an endpoint geometric mean titer of â¼415 against replicative virus, comparing favorably with several vaccine formulations currently in the clinic. These features of high yield, extreme thermotolerance, and satisfactory immunogenicity suggest that such RBD subunit vaccine formulations hold great promise to combat COVID-19.
Asunto(s)
Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2/inmunología , Anticuerpos Antivirales/biosíntesis , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/biosíntesis , COVID-19/prevención & control , Receptores Virales/inmunología , SARS-CoV-2/inmunología , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/inmunología , Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2/química , Enzima Convertidora de Angiotensina 2/genética , Animales , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/biosíntesis , Sitios de Unión , COVID-19/inmunología , COVID-19/virología , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/administración & dosificación , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/genética , Escherichia coli/genética , Escherichia coli/metabolismo , Femenino , Cobayas , Células HEK293 , Calor , Humanos , Inmunogenicidad Vacunal , Modelos Moleculares , Unión Proteica , Conformación Proteica en Hélice alfa , Conformación Proteica en Lámina beta , Dominios Proteicos , Dominios y Motivos de Interacción de Proteínas , Estabilidad Proteica , Receptores Virales/química , Receptores Virales/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/química , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/inmunología , SARS-CoV-2/química , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/química , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/genética , Vacunación , Potencia de la VacunaRESUMEN
Germinal centers (GC) are microanatomical lymphoid structures where affinity-matured memory B cells and long-lived bone marrow plasma cells are primarily generated. It is unclear how the maturation of B cells within the GC impacts the breadth and durability of B cell responses to influenza vaccination in humans. We used fine needle aspiration of draining lymph nodes to longitudinally track antigen-specific GC B cell responses to seasonal influenza vaccination. Antigen-specific GC B cells persisted for at least 13 wk after vaccination in two out of seven individuals. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) derived from persisting GC B cell clones exhibit enhanced binding affinity and breadth to influenza hemagglutinin (HA) antigens compared with related GC clonotypes isolated earlier in the response. Structural studies of early and late GC-derived mAbs from one clonal lineage in complex with H1 and H5 HAs revealed an altered binding footprint. Our study shows that inducing sustained GC reactions after influenza vaccination in humans supports the maturation of responding B cells.
Asunto(s)
Linfocitos B , Centro Germinal , Vacunas contra la Influenza , Vacunación , Centro Germinal/inmunología , Humanos , Vacunas contra la Influenza/inmunología , Linfocitos B/inmunología , Glicoproteínas Hemaglutininas del Virus de la Influenza/inmunología , Gripe Humana/inmunología , Gripe Humana/prevención & control , Anticuerpos Antivirales/inmunología , Anticuerpos Monoclonales/inmunología , Adulto , Femenino , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
The receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies. We have previously reported the design and characterization of a mammalian cell expressed RBD derivative, mRBD1-3.2, that has higher thermal stability and greatly enhanced immunogenicity relative to the wild type mRBD. The protein is highly thermotolerant and immunogenic and is being explored for use in room temperature stable Covid-19 vaccine formulations. In the current study, we have investigated the folding pathway of both WT and stabilized RBD. It was found that chemical denaturation of RBD proceeds through a stable equilibrium intermediate. Thermal and chemical denaturation is reversible, as assayed by binding to the receptor ACE2. Unusually, in its native state, RBD binds to the hydrophobic probe ANS, and enhanced ANS binding is observed for the equilibrium intermediate state. Further characterization of the folding of mRBD1-3.2, both in solution and after reconstitution of lyophilized protein stored for a month at 37 °C, revealed a higher stability represented by higher Cm, faster refolding, slower unfolding, and enhanced resistance to proteolytic cleavage relative to WT. In contrast to WT RBD, the mutant showed decreased interaction with the hydrophobic moiety linoleic acid. Collectively, these data suggest that the enhanced immunogenicity results from reduced conformational fluctuations that likely enhance in vivo half-life as well as reduce the exposure of irrelevant non-neutralizing epitopes to the immune system.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Animales , Humanos , Vacunas contra la COVID-19 , Bioensayo , Biofisica , Unión Proteica , MamíferosRESUMEN
As existing vaccines fail to completely prevent COVID-19 infections or community transmission, there is an unmet need for vaccines that can better combat SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC). We previously developed highly thermo-tolerant monomeric and trimeric receptor-binding domain derivatives that can withstand 100 °C for 90 min and 37 °C for four weeks and help eliminate cold-chain requirements. We show that mice immunised with these vaccine formulations elicit high titres of antibodies that neutralise SARS-CoV-2 variants VIC31 (with Spike: D614G mutation), Delta and Omicron (BA.1.1) VOC. Compared to VIC31, there was an average 14.4-fold reduction in neutralisation against BA.1.1 for the three monomeric antigen-adjuvant combinations and a 16.5-fold reduction for the three trimeric antigen-adjuvant combinations; the corresponding values against Delta were 2.5 and 3.0. Our findings suggest that monomeric formulations are suitable for upcoming Phase I human clinical trials and that there is potential for increasing the efficacy with vaccine matching to improve the responses against emerging variants. These findings are consistent with in silico modelling and AlphaFold predictions, which show that, while oligomeric presentation can be generally beneficial, it can make important epitopes inaccessible and also carries the risk of eliciting unwanted antibodies against the oligomerisation domain.
Asunto(s)
Vacunas contra la COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Animales , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes , Anticuerpos Antivirales , COVID-19/prevención & control , Humanos , Ratones , SARS-CoV-2/genética , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/genéticaRESUMEN
In current seasonal influenza vaccines, neutralizing antibody titers directed against the hemagglutinin surface protein are the primary correlate of protection. These vaccines are, therefore, quantitated in terms of their hemagglutinin content. Adding other influenza surface proteins, such as neuraminidase and M2e, to current quadrivalent influenza vaccines would likely enhance vaccine efficacy. However, this would come with increased manufacturing complexity and cost. To address this issue, as a proof of principle, we have designed genetic fusions of hemagglutinin ectodomains from H3 and H1 influenza A subtypes. These recombinant H1-H3 hemagglutinin ectodomain fusions could be transiently expressed at high yield in mammalian cell culture using Expi293F suspension cells. Fusions were trimeric, and as stable in solution as their individual trimeric counterparts. Furthermore, the H1-H3 fusion constructs were antigenically intact based on their reactivity with a set of conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies. H1-H3 hemagglutinin ectodomain fusion immunogens, when formulated with the MF59 equivalent adjuvant squalene-in-water emulsion (SWE), induced H1 and H3-specific humoral immune responses equivalent to those induced with an equimolar mixture of individually expressed H1 and H3 ectodomains. Mice immunized with these ectodomain fusions were protected against challenge with heterologous H1N1 (Bel/09) and H3N2 (X-31) mouse-adapted viruses with higher neutralizing antibody titers against the H1N1 virus. Use of such ectodomain-fused immunogens would reduce the number of components in a vaccine formulation and allow for the inclusion of other protective antigens to increase influenza vaccine efficacy.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antivirales/sangre , Glicoproteínas Hemaglutininas del Virus de la Influenza/genética , Glicoproteínas Hemaglutininas del Virus de la Influenza/inmunología , Vacunas contra la Influenza/genética , Vacunas contra la Influenza/inmunología , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/prevención & control , Animales , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/sangre , Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/inmunología , Anticuerpos Antivirales/inmunología , Protección Cruzada/inmunología , Glicoproteínas Hemaglutininas del Virus de la Influenza/administración & dosificación , Subtipo H1N1 del Virus de la Influenza A/genética , Subtipo H1N1 del Virus de la Influenza A/inmunología , Subtipo H3N2 del Virus de la Influenza A/genética , Subtipo H3N2 del Virus de la Influenza A/inmunología , Vacunas contra la Influenza/administración & dosificación , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos BALB C , Infecciones por Orthomyxoviridae/inmunología , Eficacia de las Vacunas , Vacunas Sintéticas/administración & dosificación , Vacunas Sintéticas/genética , Vacunas Sintéticas/inmunologíaRESUMEN
Saturation suppressor mutagenesis was used to generate thermostable mutants of the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain (RBD). A triple mutant with an increase in thermal melting temperature of ~7°C with respect to the wild-type B.1 RBD and was expressed in high yield in both mammalian cells and the microbial host, Pichia pastoris, was downselected for immunogenicity studies. An additional derivative with three additional mutations from the B.1.351 (beta) isolate was also introduced into this background. Lyophilized proteins were resistant to high-temperature exposure and could be stored for over a month at 37°C. In mice and hamsters, squalene-in-water emulsion (SWE) adjuvanted formulations of the B.1-stabilized RBD were considerably more immunogenic than RBD lacking the stabilizing mutations and elicited antibodies that neutralized all four current variants of concern with similar neutralization titers. However, sera from mice immunized with the stabilized B.1.351 derivative showed significantly decreased neutralization titers exclusively against the B.1.617.2 (delta) VOC. A cocktail comprising stabilized B.1 and B.1.351 RBDs elicited antibodies with qualitatively improved neutralization titers and breadth relative to those immunized solely with either immunogen. Immunized hamsters were protected from high-dose viral challenge. Such vaccine formulations can be rapidly and cheaply produced, lack extraneous tags or additional components, and can be stored at room temperature. They are a useful modality to combat COVID-19, especially in remote and low-resource settings.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Neutralizantes/inmunología , Vacunas contra la COVID-19/inmunología , COVID-19/prevención & control , SARS-CoV-2/inmunología , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/inmunología , Animales , Anticuerpos Antivirales/inmunología , Cricetinae , Inmunogenicidad Vacunal/inmunología , Ratones , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus/genéticaRESUMEN
The receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies. We designed a trimeric, highly thermotolerant glycan engineered RBD by fusion to a heterologous, poorly immunogenic disulfide linked trimerization domain derived from cartilage matrix protein. The protein expressed at a yield of â¼80-100 mg/L in transiently transfected Expi293 cells, as well as CHO and HEK293 stable cell lines and formed homogeneous disulfide-linked trimers. When lyophilized, these possessed remarkable functional stability to transient thermal stress of up to 100 °C and were stable to long-term storage of over 4 weeks at 37 °C unlike an alternative RBD-trimer with a different trimerization domain. Two intramuscular immunizations with a human-compatible SWE adjuvanted formulation elicited antibodies with pseudoviral neutralizing titers in guinea pigs and mice that were 25-250 fold higher than corresponding values in human convalescent sera. Against the beta (B.1.351) variant of concern (VOC), pseudoviral neutralization titers for RBD trimer were â¼3-fold lower than against wildtype B.1 virus. RBD was also displayed on a designed ferritin-like Msdps2 nanoparticle. This showed decreased yield and immunogenicity relative to trimeric RBD. Replicative virus neutralization assays using mouse sera demonstrated that antibodies induced by the trimers neutralized all four VOC to date, namely B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, and B.1.617.2 without significant differences. Trimeric RBD immunized hamsters were protected from viral challenge. The excellent immunogenicity, thermotolerance, and high yield of these immunogens suggest that they are a promising modality to combat COVID-19, including all SARS-CoV-2 VOC to date.
Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Termotolerancia , Animales , Anticuerpos Antivirales , COVID-19/terapia , Cobayas , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Inmunización Pasiva , Ratones , SARS-CoV-2 , Glicoproteína de la Espiga del Coronavirus , Sueroterapia para COVID-19RESUMEN
Stabilization of the metastable envelope glycoprotein (Env) of HIV-1 is hypothesized to improve induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies. We improved the expression yield and stability of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein BG505SOSIP.664 gp140 by means of a previously described automated sequence and structure-guided computational thermostabilization approach, PROSS. This combines sequence conservation information with computational assessment of mutant stabilization, thus taking advantage of the extensive natural sequence variation present in HIV-1 Env. PROSS is used to design three gp140 variants with 17-45 mutations relative to the parental construct. One of the designs is experimentally observed to have a fourfold improvement in yield and a 4 °C increment in thermostability. In addition, the designed immunogens have similar antigenicity profiles to the native flexible linker version of wild type, BG505SOSIP.664 gp140 (NFL Wt) to major epitopes targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies. PROSS eliminates the laborious process of screening many variants for stability and functionality, providing a proof of principle of the method for stabilization and improvement of yield without compromising antigenicity for next generation complex, highly glycosylated vaccine candidates.