A recombinant spike protein subunit vaccine confers protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection and transmission in hamsters
Yangtao Wu, Xiaofen Huang, Lunzhi Yuan, Shaojuan Wang, Yali Zhang, Hualong Xiong, Rirong Chen, Jian Ma, Ruoyao Qi, Meifeng Nie, Jingjing Xu, Zhigang Zhang, Liqiang Chen, Min Wei, Ming Zhou, Minping Cai, Yang Shi, Liang Zhang, Huan Yu, Junping Hong, Zikang Wang, Yunda Hong, Mingxi Yue, Zonglin Li, Dabing Chen, Qingbing Zheng, Shaowei Li, Yixin Chen, Tong Cheng, Jun Zhang, Tianying Zhang, Huachen Zhu, Qinjian Zhao, Quan Yuan, Yi Guan, Ningshao Xia
Abstract
2-polarized helper T cell responses in mice. In hamsters, StriFK-FH002C immunization protected animals against SARS-CoV-2 challenge, as shown by the absence of virus-induced weight loss, fewer symptoms of disease, and reduced lung pathology. Vaccination of hamsters with StriFK-FH002C also reduced within-cage virus transmission to unvaccinated, cohoused hamsters. In summary, StriFK-FH002C represents an effective, protein subunit-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate.