A bivalent nanoparticle vaccine exhibits potent cross-protection against the variants of SARS-CoV-2
Yaochang Yuan, Xiantao Zhang, Ran Chen, Yuzhuang Li, Bolin Wu, Rong Li, Fan Zou, Xiancai Ma, Xuemei Wang, Qier Chen, Jieyi Deng, Yongli Zhang, Yongli Zhang, Tao Chen, Yingtong Lin, Shumei Yan, Xu Zhang, Congrong Li, Xiuqing Bu, Yi Peng, Changwen Ke, Kai Deng, Ting Pan, Xin He, Yiwen Zhang, Yiwen Zhang, Hui Zhang
Abstract
Inoculation against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is ongoing worldwide. However, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants could cause immune evasion. We developed a bivalent nanoparticle vaccine that displays the receptor binding domains (RBDs) of the D614G and B.1.351 strains. With a prime-boost or a single-dose strategy, this vaccine elicits a robust neutralizing antibody and full protection against infection with the authentic D614G or B.1.351 strain in human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 transgene mice. Interestingly, 8 months after inoculation with the D614G-specific vaccine, a new boost with this bivalent vaccine potently elicits cross-neutralizing antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 variants in rhesus macaques. We suggest that the D614G/B.1.351 bivalent vaccine could be used as an initial single dose or a sequential enforcement dose to prevent infection with SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.