Improving the Antigenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Genes by Merging Mutations from Different Variants of Concern.

ABSTRACT: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the early emergence of viral variants repeatedly undermined the effects of vaccination. Our aim here is to explore strategies for improving spike vaccine gene antigenicity by merging mutations from different variants of concern (VOCs) in a single vaccine gene. To this end, newly developed recombinant vaccine genes were designed, cloned into adenoviral vectors, and applied to C57BL/6 mice; then, serum-neutralizing antibodies against the wildtype SARS-CoV-2 strains were determined in neutralization assays. The merger of mutations from different variants of concern (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta) in a single recombinant spike-based vaccine gene provided a substantial improvement in neutralizing immunity to all variants of concern, including the omicron strains. T

SUBMITTER: Herwig S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10975238 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature