RBD and Spike DNA-Based Immunization in Rabbits Elicited IgG Avidity Maturation and High Neutralizing Antibody Responses against SARS-CoV-2

Autor(es):Mostrar menos -

da Costa, Hernan H. M. ; Orts, Diego J. B. ; Moura, Andrew D. ; Duarte-Neto, Amaro N. ; Cirqueira, Cinthya S. ; Ressio, Rodrigo A. ; Kanamura, Cristina T. ; Miguita, Karen ; Ferreira, Jerenice E. ; Santos, Raimunda T. M. ; Adriani, Patricia P. ; Cunha-Junior, Jair P. ; Astray, Renato M. ; Catarino, Regina M. ; Lancelotti, Marcelo ; Prudencio, Carlos R.

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Viruses-Basel; v. 15, n. 2, p. 16-pg., 2023-02-01.

Resumo

Neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) are a critical part of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) research as they are used to gain insight into the immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections. Among the technologies available for generating nAbs, DNA-based immunization methods are an alternative to conventional protocols. In this pilot study, we investigated whether DNA-based immunization by needle injection in rabbits was a viable approach to produce a functional antibody response. We demonstrated that three doses of DNA plasmid carrying the gene encoding the full-length spike protein (S) or the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 induced a time-dependent increase in IgG antibody avidity maturation. Moreover, the IgG antibodies displayed high cross neutralization by live SARS-CoV-2 and pseudoviruses neutralization assays. Thus, we established a simple, low cost and feasible DNA-based immunization protocol in rabbits that elicited high IgG avidity maturation and nAbs production against SARS-CoV-2, highlighting the importance of DNA-based platforms for developing new immunization strategies against SARS-CoV-2 and future emerging epidemics. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 17/50333-7 - Plano de desenvolvimento institucional em pesquisa do Instituto Adolfo Lutz (PDIp)
• Beneficiário: Carlos Henrique Camargo
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa Modernização de Institutos Estaduais de Pesquisa