Th2 and Th17-Associated Immunopathology Following SARS-CoV-2 Breakthrough Infection in Spike-Vaccinated ACE2-humanized Mice.

ABSTRACT: Vaccines have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in protecting against COVID-19; however, concerns regarding vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory diseases (VAERD) following breakthrough infections have emerged. Spike protein subunit vaccines for SARS-CoV-2 induce VAERD in hamsters, where aluminum adjuvants promote a Th2-biased immune response, leading to increased type 2 pulmonary inflammation in animals with breakthrough infections. To gain a deeper understanding of the potential risks and the underlying mechanisms of VAERD, we immunized ACE2-humanized mice with SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein adjuvanted with aluminum and CpG-ODN. Subsequently, we exposed them to increasing doses of SARS-CoV-2 to establish a breakthrough infection. The vaccine elicited robust neutralizing antibody response

SUBMITTER: Zhang T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10614945 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature