Two-Component Nanoparticle Vaccine Displaying Glycosylated Spike S1 Domain Induces Neutralizing Antibody Response against SARS-CoV-2 Variants
Linda van Oosten, Jort J. Altenburg, Cyrielle Fougeroux, Corinne Geertsema, Fred van den End, Wendy A. C. Evers, Adrie H. Westphal, Simon Lindhoud, W. van den Berg, Daan C. Swarts, Laurens Deurhof, Andreas Suhrbier, Thuy T. Le, Shessy Torres Morales, Sebenzile K. Myeni, Marjolein Kikkert, Adam F. Sander, Willem A. de Jongh, Robert Dagil, Morten A. Nielsen, Ali Salanti, Max Søgaard, Timo M. P. Keijzer, Dolf Weijers, Michel H. M. Eppink, René H. Wijffels, Monique M. van Oers, Dirk E. Martens, Gorben P. Pijlman
Abstract
Vaccination is essential to reduce disease severity and limit the transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Protein-based vaccines are useful to vaccinate the world population and to boost immunity against emerging variants. Their safety profiles, production costs, and vaccine storage temperatures are advantageous compared to mRNA and adenovirus vector vaccines. Here, we use the versatile and scalable baculovirus expression vector system to generate a two-component nanoparticle vaccine to induce potent neutralizing antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants. These nanoparticle vaccines can be quickly adapted as boosters by simply updating the antigen component.