Protective efficacy of a plant-produced beta variant rSARS-CoV-2 VLP vaccine in golden Syrian hamsters

Yolandy Lemmer; Ros Chapman; Celia Abolnik; Tanja Smith; Georgia Schäfer; Tandile Hermanus; Ilse du Preez; Kruger Goosen; Kamogelo M Sepotokele; Sophette Gers; Tasnim Suliman; Wolfgang Preiser; Megan L Shaw; Robyn Roth; Alma Truyts; John Chipangura; Martin Magwaza; Osborn Mahanjana; Penny L Moore; Martha M O'Kennedy

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.036

Protective efficacy of a plant-produced beta variant rSARS-CoV-2 VLP vaccine in golden Syrian hamsters

Vaccine. 2024 Feb 6;42(4):738-744. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.036. Epub 2024 Jan 18.

Authors

Yolandy Lemmer¹, Ros Chapman², Celia Abolnik³, Tanja Smith⁴, Georgia Schäfer⁵, Tandile Hermanus⁶, Ilse du Preez⁷, Kruger Goosen⁸, Kamogelo M Sepotokele⁴, Sophette Gers⁹, Tasnim Suliman¹⁰, Wolfgang Preiser¹¹, Megan L Shaw¹², Robyn Roth⁷, Alma Truyts¹³, John Chipangura¹⁴, Martin Magwaza¹⁵, Osborn Mahanjana¹⁶, Penny L Moore⁶, Martha M O'Kennedy⁴

Affiliations

¹ Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Next Generation Health, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Electronic address: ylemmer@csir.co.za.
² Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
³ Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa.
⁴ Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Next Generation Health, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria (UP), South Africa.
⁵ Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa; Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
⁶ SA MRC Antibody Immunity Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa.
⁷ Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Next Generation Health, Pretoria, South Africa.
⁸ La-Bio Research Animal Laboratory (a Division of Disease Control Africa), 33 Eland Street, Koedoespoort Industrial, Pretoria, South Africa.
⁹ Pathcare VetLab, Cape Town 7463, South Africa.
¹⁰ Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa.
¹¹ Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus, Cape Town, South Africa.
¹² Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus, Cape Town, South Africa.
¹³ Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Next Generation Health, Pretoria, South Africa; Department of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa.
¹⁴ Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa.
¹⁵ Tautomer Pty Ltd., Woodmead North Office, 54 Maxwell Drive, Block B, Ground Floor Woodmead, 2191 Gauteng, South Africa.
¹⁶ 3Sixty Biopharmaceuticals Pty Ltd., 23 Impala Road, Block B, Chislehurston, Sandton, Gauteng 2196, South Africa.

PMID: 38238112
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.036

Abstract

In the quest for heightened protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, we engineered a prototype vaccine utilizing the plant expression system of Nicotiana benthamiana, to produce a recombinant SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine presenting the S-protein from the Beta (B.1.351) variant of concern (VOC). This innovative vaccine, formulated with either a squalene oil-in-water emulsion or a synthetic CpG oligodeoxynucleotide adjuvant, demonstrated efficacy in a golden Syrian Hamster challenge model. The Beta VLP vaccine induced a robust humoral immune response, with serum exhibiting neutralization not only against SARS-CoV-2 Beta but also cross-neutralizing Delta and Omicron pseudoviruses. Protective efficacy was demonstrated, evidenced by reduced viral RNA copies and mitigated weight loss and lung damage compared to controls. This compelling data instills confidence in the creation of a versatile platform for the local manufacturing of potential pan-sarbecovirus vaccines, against evolving viral threats.

Keywords: Efficacy; Immunogenicity; Pan-sarbecovirus; Virus-like particles.

MeSH terms

Animals
Antibodies, Neutralizing
Antibodies, Viral
COVID-19 Vaccines / genetics
COVID-19* / prevention & control
Cricetinae
Humans
Mesocricetus
SARS-CoV-2
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus

Substances

COVID-19 Vaccines
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
Antibodies, Viral
Antibodies, Neutralizing
spike protein, SARS-CoV-2

Supplementary concepts

SARS-CoV-2 variants