Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has currently created an unprecedented threat to human society and global health. A rapid mass vaccination to create herd immunity against SARS-CoV-2 is a crucial measure to ease the spread of this disease. Here, we investigated the immunogenicity of a SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine candidate, a SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein encapsulated in N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan particles or S-TMC NPs. Upon intraperitoneal immunization, S-TMC NP-immunized mice elicited a stronger systemic antibody response, with neutralizing capacity against SARS-CoV-2, than mice receiving the soluble form of S-glycoprotein. S-TMC NPs were able to stimulate the circulating IgG and IgA as found in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. In addition, spike-specific T cell responses were drastically activated in S-TMC NP-immunized mice. Surprisingly, administration of S-TMC NPs via the intraperitoneal route also stimulated SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses in the respiratory tract, which were demonstrated by the presence of high levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG and IgA in the lung homogenates and bronchoalveolar lavages of the immunized mice. We found that peritoneal immunization with spike nanospheres stimulates both systemic and respiratory mucosal immunity.
Highlights
The newly emerging virus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an enveloped virus and a member of the Betacoronavirus genus
We developed a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate comprising a full-length spike glycoprotein encapsulated within N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan particles (STMC NPs)
We and polydispersity index (PDI) of the S-TMC NPs were evaluated by a zetasizer (A)
Summary
The newly emerging virus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an enveloped virus and a member of the Betacoronavirus genus. The nanodelivery system can serve as an alternative vaccine adjuvant due to its ability to protect, deliver and control the release of immunogens to the right target cells. These activities, in turn, increase the immunogenicity of vaccine candidates. We developed a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate comprising a full-length spike glycoprotein encapsulated within N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan particles (STMC NPs). This spike is essential for virus-host recognition and entry [20] and, serves as a target for anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development. We found that administration via this route activated the systemic immune response and the viral-specific response in the respiratory tract
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