Synthesis and immunogenicity assessment of a gold nanoparticle conjugate for the delivery of a peptide from SARS-CoV-2

Nanomedicine. 2021 Jun:34:102372. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2021.102372. Epub 2021 Mar 2.

Abstract

The development of vaccines is a crucial response against the COVID-19 pandemic and innovative nanovaccines could increase the potential to address this remarkable challenge. In the present study a B cell epitope (S461-493) from the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 was selected and its immunogenicity validated in sheep. This synthetic peptide was coupled to gold nanoparticles (AuNP) functionalized with SH-PEG-NH2 via glutaraldehyde-mediated coupling to obtain the AuNP-S461-493 candidate, which showed in s.c.-immunized mice a superior immunogenicity (IgG responses) when compared to soluble S461-493; and led to increased expression of relevant cytokines in splenocyte cultures. Interestingly, the response triggered by AuNP-S461-493 was similar in magnitude to that induced using a conventional strong adjuvant (Freund's adjuvant). This study provides a platform for the development of AuNP-based nanovaccines targeting specific SARS-CoV-2 epitopes.

Keywords: Adjuvant; Antigen carrier; COVID-19; Humoral response; Nanovaccine.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / chemical synthesis
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / chemistry
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / immunology
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / pharmacology
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte* / chemistry
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte* / immunology
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte* / pharmacology
  • Gold* / chemistry
  • Gold* / pharmacology
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunogenicity, Vaccine*
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / chemistry
  • Metal Nanoparticles* / therapeutic use
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Peptides* / chemical synthesis
  • Peptides* / chemistry
  • Peptides* / immunology
  • Peptides* / pharmacology
  • Sheep
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus* / chemistry
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus* / immunology
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus* / pharmacology

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte
  • Peptides
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • spike protein, SARS-CoV-2
  • Gold