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1.
Cell ; 185(9): 1556-1571.e18, 2022 04 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35447072

ABSTRACT

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron is highly transmissible and has substantial resistance to neutralization following immunization with ancestral spike-matched vaccines. It is unclear whether boosting with Omicron-matched vaccines would enhance protection. Here, nonhuman primates that received mRNA-1273 at weeks 0 and 4 were boosted at week 41 with mRNA-1273 or mRNA-Omicron. Neutralizing titers against D614G were 4,760 and 270 reciprocal ID50 at week 6 (peak) and week 41 (preboost), respectively, and 320 and 110 for Omicron. 2 weeks after the boost, titers against D614G and Omicron increased to 5,360 and 2,980 for mRNA-1273 boost and 2,670 and 1,930 for mRNA-Omicron, respectively. Similar increases against BA.2 were observed. Following either boost, 70%-80% of spike-specific B cells were cross-reactive against WA1 and Omicron. Equivalent control of virus replication in lower airways was observed following Omicron challenge 1 month after either boost. These data show that mRNA-1273 and mRNA-Omicron elicit comparable immunity and protection shortly after the boost.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273 , Animals , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19/prevention & control , Macaca , RNA, Messenger
2.
Cell ; 185(1): 113-130.e15, 2022 01 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34921774

ABSTRACT

mRNA-1273 vaccine efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 Delta wanes over time; however, there are limited data on the impact of durability of immune responses on protection. Here, we immunized rhesus macaques and assessed immune responses over 1 year in blood and upper and lower airways. Serum neutralizing titers to Delta were 280 and 34 reciprocal ID50 at weeks 6 (peak) and 48 (challenge), respectively. Antibody-binding titers also decreased in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Four days after Delta challenge, the virus was unculturable in BAL, and subgenomic RNA declined by ∼3-log10 compared with control animals. In nasal swabs, sgRNA was reduced by 1-log10, and the virus remained culturable. Anamnestic antibodies (590-fold increased titer) but not T cell responses were detected in BAL by day 4 post-challenge. mRNA-1273-mediated protection in the lungs is durable but delayed and potentially dependent on anamnestic antibody responses. Rapid and sustained protection in upper and lower airways may eventually require a boost.

3.
Cell ; 184(16): 4203-4219.e32, 2021 08 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34242577

ABSTRACT

SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) protect against COVID-19. A concern regarding SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is whether they mediate disease enhancement. Here, we isolated NAbs against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) or the N-terminal domain (NTD) of SARS-CoV-2 spike from individuals with acute or convalescent SARS-CoV-2 or a history of SARS-CoV infection. Cryo-electron microscopy of RBD and NTD antibodies demonstrated function-specific modes of binding. Select RBD NAbs also demonstrated Fc receptor-γ (FcγR)-mediated enhancement of virus infection in vitro, while five non-neutralizing NTD antibodies mediated FcγR-independent in vitro infection enhancement. However, both types of infection-enhancing antibodies protected from SARS-CoV-2 replication in monkeys and mice. Three of 46 monkeys infused with enhancing antibodies had higher lung inflammation scores compared to controls. One monkey had alveolar edema and elevated bronchoalveolar lavage inflammatory cytokines. Thus, while in vitro antibody-enhanced infection does not necessarily herald enhanced infection in vivo, increased lung inflammation can rarely occur in SARS-CoV-2 antibody-infused macaques.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/physiology , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid/chemistry , COVID-19/pathology , COVID-19/virology , Cytokines/metabolism , Female , Haplorhini , Humans , Lung/pathology , Lung/virology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Protein Domains , RNA, Guide, Kinetoplastida/metabolism , Receptors, IgG/metabolism , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/chemistry , Viral Load , Virus Replication
4.
Nat Immunol ; 22(10): 1306-1315, 2021 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34417590

ABSTRACT

B.1.351 is the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant most resistant to antibody neutralization. We demonstrate how the dose and number of immunizations influence protection. Nonhuman primates received two doses of 30 or 100 µg of Moderna's mRNA-1273 vaccine, a single immunization of 30 µg, or no vaccine. Two doses of 100 µg of mRNA-1273 induced 50% inhibitory reciprocal serum dilution neutralizing antibody titers against live SARS-CoV-2 p.Asp614Gly and B.1.351 of 3,300 and 240, respectively. Higher neutralizing responses against B.1.617.2 were also observed after two doses compared to a single dose. After challenge with B.1.351, there was ~4- to 5-log10 reduction of viral subgenomic RNA and low to undetectable replication in bronchoalveolar lavages in the two-dose vaccine groups, with a 1-log10 reduction in nasal swabs in the 100-µg group. These data establish that a two-dose regimen of mRNA-1273 will be critical for providing upper and lower airway protection against major variants of concern.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , COVID-19/immunology , Primates/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273 , Animals , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , COVID-19/virology , Cell Line , Chlorocebus aethiops , Female , Humans , Macaca mulatta , Male , Mesocricetus , Primates/virology , RNA, Viral/immunology , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , Vaccination/methods , Vero Cells , Viral Load/methods
5.
Immunity ; 54(8): 1869-1882.e6, 2021 08 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34270939

ABSTRACT

Vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory disease (VAERD) was previously observed in some preclinical models of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and MERS coronavirus vaccines. We used the SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mouse-adapted, passage 10, lethal challenge virus (MA10) mouse model of acute lung injury to evaluate the immune response and potential for immunopathology in animals vaccinated with research-grade mRNA-1273. Whole-inactivated virus or heat-denatured spike protein subunit vaccines with alum designed to elicit low-potency antibodies and Th2-skewed CD4+ T cells resulted in reduced viral titers and weight loss post challenge but more severe pathological changes in the lung compared to saline-immunized animals. In contrast, a protective dose of mRNA-1273 induced favorable humoral and cellular immune responses that protected from viral replication in the upper and lower respiratory tract upon challenge. A subprotective dose of mRNA-1273 reduced viral replication and limited histopathological manifestations compared to animals given saline. Overall, our findings demonstrate an immunological signature associated with antiviral protection without disease enhancement following vaccination with mRNA-1273.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Host-Pathogen Interactions/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Biopsy , COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage , Disease Models, Animal , Humans , Immunoglobulin G , Immunohistochemistry , Mice , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , RNA, Messenger , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism , Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage , mRNA Vaccines
6.
Nature ; 594(7864): 553-559, 2021 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33971664

ABSTRACT

Betacoronaviruses caused the outbreaks of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome, as well as the current pandemic of SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)1-4. Vaccines that elicit protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and betacoronaviruses that circulate in animals have the potential to prevent future pandemics. Here we show that the immunization of macaques with nanoparticles conjugated with the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2, and adjuvanted with 3M-052 and alum, elicits cross-neutralizing antibody responses against bat coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 (including the B.1.1.7, P.1 and B.1.351 variants). Vaccination of macaques with these nanoparticles resulted in a 50% inhibitory reciprocal serum dilution (ID50) neutralization titre of 47,216 (geometric mean) for SARS-CoV-2, as well as in protection against SARS-CoV-2 in the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Nucleoside-modified mRNAs that encode a stabilized transmembrane spike or monomeric receptor-binding domain also induced cross-neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV and bat coronaviruses, albeit at lower titres than achieved with the nanoparticles. These results demonstrate that current mRNA-based vaccines may provide some protection from future outbreaks of zoonotic betacoronaviruses, and provide a multimeric protein platform for the further development of vaccines against multiple (or all) betacoronaviruses.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Betacoronavirus/immunology , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Common Cold/prevention & control , Cross Reactions/immunology , Pandemics , Viral Vaccines/immunology , Adjuvants, Immunologic , Administration, Intranasal , Animals , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , Common Cold/immunology , Common Cold/virology , Disease Models, Animal , Female , Humans , Macaca/immunology , Male , Models, Molecular , Nanoparticles/chemistry , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/chemistry , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , Trachea , Vaccination
7.
Nature ; 586(7830): 567-571, 2020 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32756549

ABSTRACT

A vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is needed to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic. Structural studies have led to the development of mutations that stabilize Betacoronavirus spike proteins in the prefusion state, improving their expression and increasing immunogenicity1. This principle has been applied to design mRNA-1273, an mRNA vaccine that encodes a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that is stabilized in the prefusion conformation. Here we show that mRNA-1273 induces potent neutralizing antibody responses to both wild-type (D614) and D614G mutant2 SARS-CoV-2 as well as CD8+ T cell responses, and protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lungs and noses of mice without evidence of immunopathology. mRNA-1273 is currently in a phase III trial to evaluate its efficacy.


Subject(s)
Betacoronavirus/immunology , Coronavirus Infections/immunology , Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control , Pandemics/prevention & control , Pneumonia, Viral/immunology , Pneumonia, Viral/prevention & control , Viral Vaccines/immunology , 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273 , Animals , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Betacoronavirus/genetics , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , COVID-19 , COVID-19 Vaccines , Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic , Coronavirus Infections/genetics , Coronavirus Infections/virology , Female , Lung/immunology , Lung/virology , Mice , Mutation , Nose/immunology , Nose/virology , Pneumonia, Viral/virology , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Viral/genetics , SARS-CoV-2 , Th1 Cells/immunology , Toll-Like Receptor 4/agonists , Toll-Like Receptor 4/immunology , Viral Vaccines/chemistry , Viral Vaccines/genetics
8.
N Engl J Med ; 383(16): 1544-1555, 2020 10 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32722908

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Vaccines to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) are urgently needed. The effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines on viral replication in both upper and lower airways is important to evaluate in nonhuman primates. METHODS: Nonhuman primates received 10 or 100 µg of mRNA-1273, a vaccine encoding the prefusion-stabilized spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, or no vaccine. Antibody and T-cell responses were assessed before upper- and lower-airway challenge with SARS-CoV-2. Active viral replication and viral genomes in bronchoalveolar-lavage (BAL) fluid and nasal swab specimens were assessed by polymerase chain reaction, and histopathological analysis and viral quantification were performed on lung-tissue specimens. RESULTS: The mRNA-1273 vaccine candidate induced antibody levels exceeding those in human convalescent-phase serum, with live-virus reciprocal 50% inhibitory dilution (ID50) geometric mean titers of 501 in the 10-µg dose group and 3481 in the 100-µg dose group. Vaccination induced type 1 helper T-cell (Th1)-biased CD4 T-cell responses and low or undetectable Th2 or CD8 T-cell responses. Viral replication was not detectable in BAL fluid by day 2 after challenge in seven of eight animals in both vaccinated groups. No viral replication was detectable in the nose of any of the eight animals in the 100-µg dose group by day 2 after challenge, and limited inflammation or detectable viral genome or antigen was noted in lungs of animals in either vaccine group. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination of nonhuman primates with mRNA-1273 induced robust SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing activity, rapid protection in the upper and lower airways, and no pathologic changes in the lung. (Funded by the National Institutes of Health and others.).


Subject(s)
Betacoronavirus/immunology , Coronavirus Infections/immunology , Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control , Pandemics/prevention & control , Pneumonia, Viral/immunology , Pneumonia, Viral/prevention & control , Viral Vaccines/immunology , 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273 , Animals , Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Betacoronavirus/physiology , CD4 Antigens , COVID-19 , COVID-19 Vaccines , Coronavirus Infections/pathology , Coronavirus Infections/therapy , Disease Models, Animal , Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic , Immunization, Passive , Lung/pathology , Lung/virology , Macaca mulatta , Pneumonia, Viral/pathology , Pneumonia, Viral/therapy , SARS-CoV-2 , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Viral Load , Viral Vaccines/administration & dosage , Virus Replication , COVID-19 Serotherapy
9.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 117(5): 2597-2605, 2020 02 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31969456

ABSTRACT

The surface protein Pfs47 allows Plasmodium falciparum parasites to survive and be transmitted by making them "undetectable" to the mosquito immune system. P. falciparum parasites express Pfs47 haplotypes compatible with their sympatric vectors, while those with incompatible haplotypes are eliminated by the mosquito. We proposed that Pfs47 serves as a "key" that mediates immune evasion by interacting with a mosquito receptor "the lock," which differs in evolutionarily divergent anopheline mosquitoes. Recombinant Pfs47 (rPfs47) was used to identify the mosquito Pfs47 receptor protein (P47Rec) using far-Western analysis. rPfs47 bound to a single 31-kDa band and the identity of this protein was determined by mass spectrometry. The mosquito P47Rec has two natterin-like domains and binds to Pfs47 with high affinity (17 to 32 nM). P47Rec is a highly conserved protein with submicrovillar localization in midgut cells. It has structural homology to a cytoskeleton-interacting protein and accumulates at the site of ookinete invasion. Silencing P47Rec expression reduced P. falciparum infection, indicating that the interaction of Pfs47 with the receptor is critical for parasite survival. The binding specificity of P47Rec from distant anophelines (Anopheles gambiae, Anopheles dirus, and Anopheles albimanus) with Pfs47-Africa (GB4) and Pfs47-South America (7G8) haplotypes was evaluated, and it is in agreement with the previously documented compatibility between P. falciparum parasites expressing different Pfs47 haplotypes and these three anopheline species. Our findings give further support to the role of Pfs47 in the adaptation of P. falciparum to different vectors.


Subject(s)
Anopheles/immunology , Anopheles/parasitology , Insect Proteins/immunology , Membrane Glycoproteins/immunology , Mosquito Vectors/immunology , Mosquito Vectors/parasitology , Plasmodium falciparum/immunology , Protozoan Proteins/immunology , Animals , Anopheles/genetics , Host-Parasite Interactions , Immune Evasion , Insect Proteins/genetics , Kinetics , Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics , Mosquito Vectors/genetics , Plasmodium falciparum/genetics , Protozoan Proteins/genetics
10.
Vaccine ; 42(2): 339-351, 2024 Jan 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38071106

ABSTRACT

Intranasal mucosal vaccines can more effectively induce mucosal immune responses against SARS-CoV-2. Here, we show in hamsters that an intranasal subunit mucosal vaccine boost with the beta variant S1 can prevent weight loss, in addition to reducing viral load, which cannot be studied in macaques that don't develop COVID-like disease. Protective efficacy against both viral load and weight loss correlated with serum antibody titers. A sex bias was detected in that immune responses and protection against viral load were greater in females than males. We also found that priming with S1 from the Wuhan strain elicited lower humoral immune responses against beta variant and led to less protection against beta viral challenge, suggesting the importance of matched antigens. The greater efficacy of mucosal vaccines in the upper respiratory tract and the need to consider sex differences in vaccine protection are important in the development of future improved COVID-19 vaccines.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , Female , Male , Animals , Cricetinae , Humans , Sexism , SARS-CoV-2 , COVID-19/prevention & control , Macaca , Weight Loss , Antibodies, Viral , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
11.
Nat Microbiol ; 9(3): 776-786, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38321182

ABSTRACT

Norovirus infection can cause gastrointestinal disease in humans. Development of therapies and vaccines against norovirus have been limited by the lack of a suitable and reliable animal model. Here we established rhesus macaques as an animal model for human norovirus infection. We show that rhesus macaques are susceptible to oral infection with human noroviruses from two different genogroups. Variation in duration of virus shedding (days to weeks) between animals, evolution of the virus over the time of infection, induction of virus-specific adaptive immune responses, susceptibility to reinfection and preferential replication of norovirus in the jejunum of rhesus macaques was similar to infection reported in humans. We found minor pathological signs and changes in epithelial cell surface glycosylation patterns in the small intestine during infection. Detection of viral protein and RNA in intestinal biopsies confirmed the presence of the virus in chromogranin A-expressing epithelial cells, as it does in humans. Thus, rhesus macaques are a promising non-human primate model to evaluate vaccines and therapeutics against norovirus disease.


Subject(s)
Caliciviridae Infections , Norovirus , Vaccines , Humans , Animals , Macaca mulatta , Intestine, Small
12.
bioRxiv ; 2023 Nov 22.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38076895

ABSTRACT

SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose a global threat, and current vaccines, while effective against severe illness, fall short in preventing transmission. To address this challenge, there's a need for vaccines that induce mucosal immunity and can rapidly control the virus. In this study, we demonstrate that a single immunization with a novel gorilla adenovirus-based vaccine (GRAd) carrying the pre-fusion stabilized Spike protein (S-2P) in non-human primates provided protective immunity for over one year against the BA.5 variant of SARS-CoV-2. A prime-boost regimen using GRAd followed by adjuvanted S-2P (GRAd+S-2P) accelerated viral clearance in both the lower and upper airways. GRAd delivered via aerosol (GRAd(AE)+S-2P) modestly improved protection compared to its matched intramuscular regimen, but showed dramatically superior boosting by mRNA and, importantly, total virus clearance in the upper airway by day 4 post infection. GrAd vaccination regimens elicited robust and durable systemic and mucosal antibody responses to multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants, but only GRAd(AE)+S-2P generated long-lasting T cell responses in the lung. This research underscores the flexibility of the GRAd vaccine platform to provide durable immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in both the lower and upper airways.

13.
bioRxiv ; 2023 Dec 19.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38187726

ABSTRACT

Immunization with mRNA or viral vectors encoding spike with diproline substitutions (S-2P) has provided protective immunity against severe COVID-19 disease. How immunization with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike elicits neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) against difficult-to-neutralize variants of concern (VOCs) remains an area of great interest. Here, we compare immunization of macaques with mRNA vaccines expressing ancestral spike either including or lacking diproline substitutions, and show the diproline substitutions were not required for protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge or induction of broadly neutralizing B cell lineages. One group of nAbs elicited by the ancestral spike lacking diproline substitutions targeted the outer face of the receptor binding domain (RBD), neutralized all tested SARS-CoV-2 VOCs including Omicron XBB.1.5, but lacked cross-Sarbecovirus neutralization. Structural analysis showed that the macaque broad SARS-CoV-2 VOC nAbs bound to the same epitope as a human broad SARS-CoV-2 VOC nAb, DH1193. Vaccine-induced antibodies that targeted the RBD inner face neutralized multiple Sarbecoviruses, protected mice from bat CoV RsSHC014 challenge, but lacked Omicron variant neutralization. Thus, ancestral SARS-CoV-2 spike lacking proline substitutions encoded by nucleoside-modified mRNA can induce B cell lineages binding to distinct RBD sites that either broadly neutralize animal and human Sarbecoviruses or recent Omicron VOCs.

14.
PNAS Nexus ; 1(3): pgac091, 2022 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35873792

ABSTRACT

Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants and waning of vaccine/infection-induced immunity pose threats to curbing the COVID-19 pandemic. Effective, safe, and convenient booster vaccines are in need. We hypothesized that a variant-modified mucosal booster vaccine might induce local immunity to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection at the port of entry. The beta-variant is one of the hardest to cross-neutralize. Herein, we assessed the protective efficacy of an intranasal booster composed of beta variant-spike protein S1 with IL-15 and TLR agonists in previously immunized macaques. The macaques were first vaccinated with Wuhan strain S1 with the same adjuvant. A total of 1 year later, negligibly detectable SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody remained. Nevertheless, the booster induced vigorous humoral immunity including serum- and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)-IgG, secretory nasal- and BAL-IgA, and neutralizing antibody against the original strain and/or beta variant. Beta-variant S1-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses were also elicited in PBMC and BAL. Following SARS-CoV-2 beta variant challenge, the vaccinated group demonstrated significant protection against viral replication in the upper and lower respiratory tracts, with almost full protection in the nasal cavity. The fact that one intranasal beta-variant booster administrated 1 year after the first vaccination provoked protective immunity against beta variant infections may inform future SARS-CoV-2 booster design and administration timing.

15.
Nat Commun ; 13(1): 6309, 2022 10 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36274085

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus vaccines that are highly effective against current and anticipated SARS-CoV-2 variants are needed to control COVID-19. We previously reported a receptor-binding domain (RBD)-sortase A-conjugated ferritin nanoparticle (scNP) vaccine that induced neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and pre-emergent sarbecoviruses and protected non-human primates (NHPs) from SARS-CoV-2 WA-1 infection. Here, we find the RBD-scNP induced neutralizing antibodies in NHPs against pseudoviruses of SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 variants including 614G, Beta, Delta, Omicron BA.1, BA.2, BA.2.12.1, and BA.4/BA.5, and a designed variant with escape mutations, PMS20. Adjuvant studies demonstrate variant neutralization titers are highest with 3M-052-aqueous formulation (AF). Immunization twice with RBD-scNPs protect NHPs from SARS-CoV-2 WA-1, Beta, and Delta variant challenge, and protect mice from challenges of SARS-CoV-2 Beta variant and two other heterologous sarbecoviruses. These results demonstrate the ability of RBD-scNPs to induce broad neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants and to protect animals from multiple different SARS-related viruses. Such a vaccine could provide broad immunity to SARS-CoV-2 variants.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Nanoparticles , Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus , Viral Vaccines , Mice , Animals , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus , Antibodies, Viral , Mice, Inbred BALB C , COVID-19/prevention & control , Antibodies, Neutralizing/chemistry , Ferritins
16.
bioRxiv ; 2022 Feb 14.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35118474

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus vaccines that are highly effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants are needed to control the current pandemic. We previously reported a receptor-binding domain (RBD) sortase A-conjugated ferritin nanoparticle (RBD-scNP) vaccine that induced neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and pre-emergent sarbecoviruses and protected monkeys from SARS-CoV-2 WA-1 infection. Here, we demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 RBD-scNP immunization induces potent neutralizing antibodies in non-human primates (NHPs) against all eight SARS-CoV-2 variants tested including the Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants. The Omicron variant was neutralized by RBD-scNP-induced serum antibodies with a mean of 10.6-fold reduction of ID50 titers compared to SARS-CoV-2 D614G. Immunization with RBD-scNPs protected NHPs from SARS-CoV-2 WA-1, Beta, and Delta variant challenge, and protected mice from challenges of SARS-CoV-2 Beta variant and two other heterologous sarbecoviruses. These results demonstrate the ability of RBD-scNPs to induce broad neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants and to protect NHPs and mice from multiple different SARS-related viruses. Such a vaccine could provide the needed immunity to slow the spread of and reduce disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 variants such as Delta and Omicron.

17.
Nat Commun ; 12(1): 2469, 2021 04 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33927207

ABSTRACT

Recognition of Zika virus (ZIKV) sexual transmission (ST) among humans challenges our understanding of the maintenance of mosquito-borne viruses in nature. Here we dissected the relative contributions of the components of male reproductive system (MRS) during early male-to-female ZIKV transmission by utilizing mice with altered antiviral responses, in which ZIKV is provided an equal opportunity to be seeded in the MRS tissues. Using microRNA-targeted ZIKV clones engineered to abolish viral infectivity to different parts of the MRS or a library of ZIKV genomes with unique molecular identifiers, we pinpoint epithelial cells of the epididymis (rather than cells of the testis, vas deferens, prostate, or seminal vesicles) as a most likely source of the sexually transmitted ZIKV genomes during the early (most productive) phase of ZIKV shedding into the semen. Incorporation of this mechanistic knowledge into the development of a live-attenuated ZIKV vaccine restricts its ST potential.


Subject(s)
Epididymis/virology , Epithelial Cells/virology , Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral/transmission , Zika Virus Infection/transmission , Animals , Cell Line , Chlorocebus aethiops , Epithelium/virology , Female , Genitalia, Male/anatomy & histology , Genitalia, Male/virology , Male , Mice , Vero Cells , Zika Virus
18.
Sci Signal ; 14(693)2021 07 27.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34315806

ABSTRACT

We report the clinical and molecular phenotype of three siblings from one family, who presented with short stature and immunodeficiency and carried uncharacterized variants in RGS10 (c.489_491del:p.E163del and c.G511T:p.A171S). This gene encodes regulator of G protein signaling 10 (RGS10), a member of a large family of GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) that targets heterotrimeric G proteins to constrain the activity of G protein-coupled receptors, including receptors for chemoattractants. The affected individuals exhibited systemic abnormalities directly related to the RGS10 mutations, including recurrent infections, hypergammaglobulinemia, profoundly reduced lymphocyte chemotaxis, abnormal lymph node architecture, and short stature due to growth hormone deficiency. Although the GAP activity of each RGS10 variant was intact, each protein exhibited aberrant patterns of PKA-mediated phosphorylation and increased cytosolic and cell membrane localization and activity compared to the wild-type protein. We propose that the RGS10 p.E163del and p.A171S mutations lead to mislocalization of the RGS10 protein in the cytosol, thereby resulting in attenuated chemokine signaling. This study suggests that RGS10 is critical for both immune competence and normal hormonal metabolism in humans and that rare RGS10 variants may contribute to distinct systemic genetic disorders.


Subject(s)
Body Height/genetics , Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases/genetics , RGS Proteins , GTP-Binding Proteins , Humans , Mutation , RGS Proteins/genetics , RGS Proteins/metabolism , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled , Signal Transduction/genetics
19.
JCI Insight ; 6(10)2021 04 28.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33908897

ABSTRACT

Effective SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are urgently needed. Although most vaccine strategies have focused on systemic immunization, here we compared the protective efficacy of 2 adjuvanted subunit vaccines with spike protein S1: an intramuscularly primed/boosted vaccine and an intramuscularly primed/intranasally boosted mucosal vaccine in rhesus macaques. The intramuscular-alum-only vaccine induced robust binding and neutralizing antibody and persistent cellular immunity systemically and mucosally, whereas intranasal boosting with nanoparticles, including IL-15 and TLR agonists, elicited weaker T cell and Ab responses but higher dimeric IgA and IFN-α. Nevertheless, following SARS-CoV-2 challenge, neither group showed detectable subgenomic RNA in upper or lower respiratory tracts versus naive controls, indicating full protection against viral replication. Although mucosal and systemic protective mechanisms may differ, results demonstrate both vaccines can protect against respiratory SARS-CoV-2 exposure. In summary, we have demonstrated that the mucosal vaccine was safe after multiple doses and cleared the input virus more efficiently in the nasal cavity and thus may act as a potent complementary reinforcing boost for conventional systemic vaccines to provide overall better protection.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Vaccines/therapeutic use , COVID-19/veterinary , Macaca mulatta/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Adaptive Immunity , Animals , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/pathology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Humans , Immunity, Cellular , Immunity, Humoral , Vaccines, Subunit/therapeutic use
20.
bioRxiv ; 2021 Jan 25.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33532780

ABSTRACT

The mRNA-1273 vaccine was recently determined to be effective against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from interim Phase 3 results. Human studies, however, cannot provide the controlled response to infection and complex immunological insight that are only possible with preclinical studies. Hamsters are the only model that reliably exhibit more severe SARS-CoV-2 disease similar to hospitalized patients, making them pertinent for vaccine evaluation. We demonstrate that prime or prime-boost administration of mRNA-1273 in hamsters elicited robust neutralizing antibodies, ameliorated weight loss, suppressed SARS-CoV-2 replication in the airways, and better protected against disease at the highest prime-boost dose. Unlike in mice and non-human primates, mRNA-1273- mediated immunity was non-sterilizing and coincided with an anamnestic response. Single-cell RNA sequencing of lung tissue permitted high resolution analysis which is not possible in vaccinated humans. mRNA-1273 prevented inflammatory cell infiltration and the reduction of lymphocyte proportions, but enabled antiviral responses conducive to lung homeostasis. Surprisingly, infection triggered transcriptome programs in some types of immune cells from vaccinated hamsters that were shared, albeit attenuated, with mock-vaccinated hamsters. Our results support the use of mRNA-1273 in a two-dose schedule and provides insight into the potential responses within the lungs of vaccinated humans who are exposed to SARS-CoV-2.

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