An ACE2-Based Bimodular Fusion Protein Enables Reorientation of Endogenous Anti-Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies Toward SARS-CoV-2 Spike.

ABSTRACT

The use of soluble recombinant angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (rACE2) as a decoy capable of blocking SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells has been envisaged as a therapeutic strategy to reduce viral loads in patients with severe COVID-19. We engineered a novel form of rACE2, fused to the Epstein-Barr virus antigen P18F3 (rACE2-P18F3), to reorient a preexisting humoral response toward Epstein-Barr virus against SARS-CoV-2 particles. Recombinant ACE2-P18F3 was able to bind to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, neutralize viral entry into cells, and promote the phagocytosis of spheres coated with different spike variants by monocytic cells. The results position rACE2-P18F3 as a promising therapeutic candidate to universally block coronavirus cell entry and clear viral particles.