Kappa-RBD produced by glycoengineered Pichia pastoris elicited high neutralizing antibody titers against pseudoviruses of SARS-CoV-2 variants

Virology. 2022 Apr:569:56-63. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2022.03.001. Epub 2022 Mar 6.

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) kappa (B.1.617.1) variant represented the main variant of concern (VOC) for the epidemic in India in May 2021. We have previously established a technology platform for rapidly preparing SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) candidate vaccines based on glycoengineered Pichia pastoris. Our previous study revealed that the wild-type RBD (WT-RBD) formulated with aluminum hydroxide and CpG 2006 adjuvant effectively induces neutralizing antibodies in BALB/c mice. In the present study, a glycoengineered P. pastoris expression system was used to prepare recombinant kappa-RBD candidate vaccine. Kappa-RBD formulated with CpG and alum induced BALB/c mice to produce a potent antigen-specific antibody response and neutralizing antibody titers against pseudoviruses of SARS-CoV-2 kappa, delta, lambda, beta, and omicron variants and WT. Therefore, the recombinant kappa-RBD vaccine has sufficient potency to be a promising COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

Keywords: Receptor-binding domain (RBD); SARS-CoV-2 kappa; Vaccine; Yeast.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa
  • SARS-CoV-2* / genetics
  • Saccharomycetales
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus / chemistry
  • Vaccines, Synthetic / genetics

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • Antibodies, Viral
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Receptors, Opioid, kappa
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Vaccines, Synthetic
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2

Supplementary concepts

  • Komagataella pastoris
  • SARS-CoV-2 variants