Inactivated rabies-vectored SARS-CoV-2 vaccine provides long-term immune response unaffected by vector immunity.
Publication/Presentation Date
9-23-2022
Abstract
The objective of this study is to further analyze recombinant rabies virus-vectored SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, CORAVAX, as an effective COVID-19 vaccine strategy. CORAVAX has proven immunogenic and protective against SARS-CoV-2 in animal models. Here, we have screened adjuvants for the highest quality antibody titers, negated the concern of pre-existing rabies-vector immunity, and established its potential as a long-term COVID-19 vaccine. We have tested toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonists, inflammasome activators, and alum adjuvants in CORAVAX and found TLR4-activating MPLA-AddaVax to have the greatest potential. We followed the humoral immune response to CORAVAX in mice with pre-existing rabies virus immunity and saw no significant differences compared to naive mice. We then followed the immune response to CORAVAX over several months and 1-year post-immunization. Mice maintained high antigen-specific serum antibody titers as well as long-lived antibody-secreting cells in the spleen and bone marrow. We believe this rabies-vector strategy combats the problem of waning immunity of other COVID-19 vaccines. These results together support CORAVAX's potential during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Volume
7
Issue
1
First Page
110
Last Page
110
ISSN
2059-0105
Published In/Presented At
Yankowski, C., Wirblich, C., Kurup, D., & Schnell, M. J. (2022). Inactivated rabies-vectored SARS-CoV-2 vaccine provides long-term immune response unaffected by vector immunity. NPJ vaccines, 7(1), 110. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-022-00532-7
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
36151100
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article