A SARS-CoV-2 spike ferritin nanoparticle vaccine protects hamsters against Alpha and Beta virus variant challenge

Kathryn Mc Guckin Wuertz; Erica K. Barkei; Wei Hung Chen; Elizabeth J. Martinez; Ines Lakhal-Naouar; Linda L. Jagodzinski; Dominic Paquin-Proulx; Gregory D. Gromowski; Isabella Swafford; Akshaya Ganesh; Ming Dong; Xiankun Zeng; Paul V. Thomas; Rajeshwer S. Sankhala; Agnes Hajduczki; Caroline E. Peterson; Caitlin Kuklis; Sandrine Soman; Lindsay Wieczorek; Michelle Zemil; Alexander Anderson; Janice Darden; Heather Hernandez; Hannah Grove; Vincent Dussupt; Holly Hack; Rafael de la Barrera; Stasya Zarling; James F. Wood; Jeffrey W. Froude; Matthew Gagne; Amy R. Henry; Elham Bayat Mokhtari; Prakriti Mudvari; Shelly J. Krebs; Andrew S. Pekosz; Jeffrey R. Currier; Swagata Kar; Maciel Porto; Adrienne Winn; Kamil Radzyminski; Mark G. Lewis; Sandhya Vasan; Mehul Suthar; Victoria R. Polonis; Gary R. Matyas; Eli A. Boritz; Daniel C. Douek; Robert A. Seder; Sharon P. Daye; Mangala Rao; Sheila A. Peel; M. Gordon Joyce; Diane L. Bolton; Nelson L. Michael; Kayvon Modjarrad

doi:10.1038/s41541-021-00392-7

A SARS-CoV-2 spike ferritin nanoparticle vaccine protects hamsters against Alpha and Beta virus variant challenge

Kathryn Mc Guckin Wuertz, Erica K. Barkei, Wei Hung Chen, Elizabeth J. Martinez, Ines Lakhal-Naouar, Linda L. Jagodzinski, Dominic Paquin-Proulx, Gregory D. Gromowski, Isabella Swafford, Akshaya Ganesh, Ming Dong, Xiankun Zeng, Paul V. Thomas, Rajeshwer S. Sankhala, Agnes Hajduczki, Caroline E. Peterson, Caitlin Kuklis, Sandrine Soman, Lindsay Wieczorek, Michelle ZemilAlexander Anderson, Janice Darden, Heather Hernandez, Hannah Grove, Vincent Dussupt, Holly Hack, Rafael de la Barrera, Stasya Zarling, James F. Wood, Jeffrey W. Froude, Matthew Gagne, Amy R. Henry, Elham Bayat Mokhtari, Prakriti Mudvari, Shelly J. Krebs, Andrew S. Pekosz, Jeffrey R. Currier, Swagata Kar, Maciel Porto, Adrienne Winn, Kamil Radzyminski, Mark G. Lewis, Sandhya Vasan, Mehul Suthar, Victoria R. Polonis, Gary R. Matyas, Eli A. Boritz, Daniel C. Douek, Robert A. Seder, Sharon P. Daye, Mangala Rao, Sheila A. Peel, M. Gordon Joyce, Diane L. Bolton, Nelson L. Michael^*, Kayvon Modjarrad^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

50 Scopus citations

Abstract

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) requires adequate coverage of vaccine protection. We evaluated whether a SARS-CoV-2 spike ferritin nanoparticle vaccine (SpFN), adjuvanted with the Army Liposomal Formulation QS21 (ALFQ), conferred protection against the Alpha (B.1.1.7), and Beta (B.1.351) VOCs in Syrian golden hamsters. SpFN-ALFQ was administered as either single or double-vaccination (0 and 4 week) regimens, using a high (10 μg) or low (0.2 μg) dose. Animals were intranasally challenged at week 11. Binding antibody responses were comparable between high- and low-dose groups. Neutralizing antibody titers were equivalent against WA1, B.1.1.7, and B.1.351 variants following two high dose vaccinations. Dose-dependent SpFN-ALFQ vaccination protected against SARS-CoV-2-induced disease and viral replication following intranasal B.1.1.7 or B.1.351 challenge, as evidenced by reduced weight loss, lung pathology, and lung and nasal turbinate viral burden. These data support the development of SpFN-ALFQ as a broadly protective, next-generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

Original language	English
Article number	129
Journal	npj Vaccines
Volume	6
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-021-00392-7
State	Published - Dec 2021
Externally published	Yes

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Wuertz, K. M. G., Barkei, E. K., Chen, W. H., Martinez, E. J., Lakhal-Naouar, I., Jagodzinski, L. L., Paquin-Proulx, D., Gromowski, G. D., Swafford, I., Ganesh, A., Dong, M., Zeng, X., Thomas, P. V., Sankhala, R. S., Hajduczki, A., Peterson, C. E., Kuklis, C., Soman, S., Wieczorek, L., ... Modjarrad, K. (2021). A SARS-CoV-2 spike ferritin nanoparticle vaccine protects hamsters against Alpha and Beta virus variant challenge. npj Vaccines, 6(1), Article 129. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-021-00392-7

@article{45979ba2a8e94c62a736f80df1a0010d,

title = "A SARS-CoV-2 spike ferritin nanoparticle vaccine protects hamsters against Alpha and Beta virus variant challenge",

abstract = "The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) requires adequate coverage of vaccine protection. We evaluated whether a SARS-CoV-2 spike ferritin nanoparticle vaccine (SpFN), adjuvanted with the Army Liposomal Formulation QS21 (ALFQ), conferred protection against the Alpha (B.1.1.7), and Beta (B.1.351) VOCs in Syrian golden hamsters. SpFN-ALFQ was administered as either single or double-vaccination (0 and 4 week) regimens, using a high (10 μg) or low (0.2 μg) dose. Animals were intranasally challenged at week 11. Binding antibody responses were comparable between high- and low-dose groups. Neutralizing antibody titers were equivalent against WA1, B.1.1.7, and B.1.351 variants following two high dose vaccinations. Dose-dependent SpFN-ALFQ vaccination protected against SARS-CoV-2-induced disease and viral replication following intranasal B.1.1.7 or B.1.351 challenge, as evidenced by reduced weight loss, lung pathology, and lung and nasal turbinate viral burden. These data support the development of SpFN-ALFQ as a broadly protective, next-generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.",

author = "Wuertz, {Kathryn Mc Guckin} and Barkei, {Erica K.} and Chen, {Wei Hung} and Martinez, {Elizabeth J.} and Ines Lakhal-Naouar and Jagodzinski, {Linda L.} and Dominic Paquin-Proulx and Gromowski, {Gregory D.} and Isabella Swafford and Akshaya Ganesh and Ming Dong and Xiankun Zeng and Thomas, {Paul V.} and Sankhala, {Rajeshwer S.} and Agnes Hajduczki and Peterson, {Caroline E.} and Caitlin Kuklis and Sandrine Soman and Lindsay Wieczorek and Michelle Zemil and Alexander Anderson and Janice Darden and Heather Hernandez and Hannah Grove and Vincent Dussupt and Holly Hack and {de la Barrera}, Rafael and Stasya Zarling and Wood, {James F.} and Froude, {Jeffrey W.} and Matthew Gagne and Henry, {Amy R.} and Mokhtari, {Elham Bayat} and Prakriti Mudvari and Krebs, {Shelly J.} and Pekosz, {Andrew S.} and Currier, {Jeffrey R.} and Swagata Kar and Maciel Porto and Adrienne Winn and Kamil Radzyminski and Lewis, {Mark G.} and Sandhya Vasan and Mehul Suthar and Polonis, {Victoria R.} and Matyas, {Gary R.} and Boritz, {Eli A.} and Douek, {Daniel C.} and Seder, {Robert A.} and Daye, {Sharon P.} and Mangala Rao and Peel, {Sheila A.} and Joyce, {M. Gordon} and Bolton, {Diane L.} and Michael, {Nelson L.} and Kayvon Modjarrad",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021, This is a U.S. government work and not under copyright protection in the U.S.; foreign copyright protection may apply.",

year = "2021",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1038/s41541-021-00392-7",

language = "English",

volume = "6",

journal = "npj Vaccines",

issn = "2059-0105",

number = "1",

}

Wuertz, KMG, Barkei, EK, Chen, WH, Martinez, EJ, Lakhal-Naouar, I, Jagodzinski, LL, Paquin-Proulx, D, Gromowski, GD, Swafford, I, Ganesh, A, Dong, M, Zeng, X, Thomas, PV, Sankhala, RS, Hajduczki, A, Peterson, CE, Kuklis, C, Soman, S, Wieczorek, L, Zemil, M, Anderson, A, Darden, J, Hernandez, H, Grove, H, Dussupt, V, Hack, H, de la Barrera, R, Zarling, S, Wood, JF, Froude, JW, Gagne, M, Henry, AR, Mokhtari, EB, Mudvari, P, Krebs, SJ, Pekosz, AS, Currier, JR, Kar, S, Porto, M, Winn, A, Radzyminski, K, Lewis, MG, Vasan, S, Suthar, M, Polonis, VR, Matyas, GR, Boritz, EA, Douek, DC, Seder, RA, Daye, SP, Rao, M, Peel, SA, Joyce, MG, Bolton, DL, Michael, NL & Modjarrad, K 2021, 'A SARS-CoV-2 spike ferritin nanoparticle vaccine protects hamsters against Alpha and Beta virus variant challenge', npj Vaccines, vol. 6, no. 1, 129. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41541-021-00392-7

TY - JOUR

T1 - A SARS-CoV-2 spike ferritin nanoparticle vaccine protects hamsters against Alpha and Beta virus variant challenge

AU - Wuertz, Kathryn Mc Guckin

AU - Barkei, Erica K.

AU - Chen, Wei Hung

AU - Martinez, Elizabeth J.

AU - Lakhal-Naouar, Ines

AU - Jagodzinski, Linda L.

AU - Paquin-Proulx, Dominic

AU - Gromowski, Gregory D.

AU - Swafford, Isabella

AU - Ganesh, Akshaya

AU - Dong, Ming

AU - Zeng, Xiankun

AU - Thomas, Paul V.

AU - Sankhala, Rajeshwer S.

AU - Hajduczki, Agnes

AU - Peterson, Caroline E.

AU - Kuklis, Caitlin

AU - Soman, Sandrine

AU - Wieczorek, Lindsay

AU - Zemil, Michelle

AU - Anderson, Alexander

AU - Darden, Janice

AU - Hernandez, Heather

AU - Grove, Hannah

AU - Dussupt, Vincent

AU - Hack, Holly

AU - de la Barrera, Rafael

AU - Zarling, Stasya

AU - Wood, James F.

AU - Froude, Jeffrey W.

AU - Gagne, Matthew

AU - Henry, Amy R.

AU - Mokhtari, Elham Bayat

AU - Mudvari, Prakriti

AU - Krebs, Shelly J.

AU - Pekosz, Andrew S.

AU - Currier, Jeffrey R.

AU - Kar, Swagata

AU - Porto, Maciel

AU - Winn, Adrienne

AU - Radzyminski, Kamil

AU - Lewis, Mark G.

AU - Vasan, Sandhya

AU - Suthar, Mehul

AU - Polonis, Victoria R.

AU - Matyas, Gary R.

AU - Boritz, Eli A.

AU - Douek, Daniel C.

AU - Seder, Robert A.

AU - Daye, Sharon P.

AU - Rao, Mangala

AU - Peel, Sheila A.

AU - Joyce, M. Gordon

AU - Bolton, Diane L.

AU - Michael, Nelson L.

AU - Modjarrad, Kayvon

PY - 2021/12

Y1 - 2021/12

N2 - The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) requires adequate coverage of vaccine protection. We evaluated whether a SARS-CoV-2 spike ferritin nanoparticle vaccine (SpFN), adjuvanted with the Army Liposomal Formulation QS21 (ALFQ), conferred protection against the Alpha (B.1.1.7), and Beta (B.1.351) VOCs in Syrian golden hamsters. SpFN-ALFQ was administered as either single or double-vaccination (0 and 4 week) regimens, using a high (10 μg) or low (0.2 μg) dose. Animals were intranasally challenged at week 11. Binding antibody responses were comparable between high- and low-dose groups. Neutralizing antibody titers were equivalent against WA1, B.1.1.7, and B.1.351 variants following two high dose vaccinations. Dose-dependent SpFN-ALFQ vaccination protected against SARS-CoV-2-induced disease and viral replication following intranasal B.1.1.7 or B.1.351 challenge, as evidenced by reduced weight loss, lung pathology, and lung and nasal turbinate viral burden. These data support the development of SpFN-ALFQ as a broadly protective, next-generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

AB - The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) requires adequate coverage of vaccine protection. We evaluated whether a SARS-CoV-2 spike ferritin nanoparticle vaccine (SpFN), adjuvanted with the Army Liposomal Formulation QS21 (ALFQ), conferred protection against the Alpha (B.1.1.7), and Beta (B.1.351) VOCs in Syrian golden hamsters. SpFN-ALFQ was administered as either single or double-vaccination (0 and 4 week) regimens, using a high (10 μg) or low (0.2 μg) dose. Animals were intranasally challenged at week 11. Binding antibody responses were comparable between high- and low-dose groups. Neutralizing antibody titers were equivalent against WA1, B.1.1.7, and B.1.351 variants following two high dose vaccinations. Dose-dependent SpFN-ALFQ vaccination protected against SARS-CoV-2-induced disease and viral replication following intranasal B.1.1.7 or B.1.351 challenge, as evidenced by reduced weight loss, lung pathology, and lung and nasal turbinate viral burden. These data support the development of SpFN-ALFQ as a broadly protective, next-generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85118359804&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1038/s41541-021-00392-7

DO - 10.1038/s41541-021-00392-7

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85118359804

SN - 2059-0105

VL - 6

JO - npj Vaccines

JF - npj Vaccines

IS - 1

M1 - 129

ER -

A SARS-CoV-2 spike ferritin nanoparticle vaccine protects hamsters against Alpha and Beta virus variant challenge

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