Optimized intramuscular immunization with VSV-vectored spike protein triggers a superior immune response to SARS-CoV-2.

ABSTRACT: Immunization with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)-vectored COVID-19 vaccine candidates expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in place of the VSV glycoprotein relies implicitly on expression of the ACE2 receptor at the muscular injection site. Here, we report that such a viral vector vaccine did not induce protective immunity following intramuscular immunization of K18-hACE2 transgenic mice. However, when the viral vector was trans-complemented with the VSV glycoprotein, intramuscular immunization resulted in high titers of spike-specific neutralizing antibodies. The vaccinated animals were fully protected following infection with a lethal dose of SARS-CoV-2-S^D614G via the nasal route, and partially protected if challenged with the SARS-CoV-2^Delta variant. While dis

SUBMITTER: Taddeo A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9309237 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature