SARS-CoV spike proteins expressed by the vaccinia virus Tiantan strain: secreted sq protein induces robust neutralization antibody in mice

Viral Immunol. 2009 Feb;22(1):57-66. doi: 10.1089/vim.2008.0064.

Abstract

The spike (S) glycoprotein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is a major target in the development of diagnostic assays and vaccines, but its antigenic and immunogenic properties remain unclear. Seven SARS-CoV spike proteins (S, SQ, S1, RBD, S2, S2Q, and CX) were generated using the modified vaccinia virus (Tiantan strain) as a vector, and their antigenicity and immunogenicity were evaluated. The secreted SQ protein in which the transmembrane domain was deleted, as well as the full-length spike protein, showed the most potential to induce the production of neutralizing antibody (nAb) in mice. S1 and RBD proteins initialized significantly lower levels of nAb production. In addition, the S proteins were recognized specifically by the sera of convalescent patients with SARS, and that of mice immunized with inactivated SARS-CoV, but did not react with anti-sera of HCoV-OC43 or HCoV-229E, or sera from healthy donors (although RBD showed a false-positive in 1 of 55 control samples of human sera). Our results demonstrate that SQ protein may be an effective vaccine candidate and a convenient and safe diagnostic antigen for SARS-CoV.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Antigens, Viral / genetics
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • Antigens, Viral / metabolism
  • Female
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neutralization Tests
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / diagnosis*
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / immunology*
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / prevention & control
  • Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / virology
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / genetics
  • Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus / immunology*
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Vaccinia virus / genetics*
  • Vaccinia virus / metabolism
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / genetics
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / immunology*
  • Viral Envelope Proteins / metabolism*
  • Viral Vaccines

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antigens, Viral
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
  • Viral Envelope Proteins
  • Viral Vaccines