1. RBD and Spike DNA-Based Immunization in Rabbits Elicited IgG Avidity Maturation and High Neutralizing Antibody Responses against SARS-CoV-2.
- Author
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da Costa HHM, Orts DJB, Moura AD, Duarte-Neto AN, Cirqueira CS, Réssio RA, Kanamura CT, Miguita K, Ferreira JE, Santos RTM, Adriani PP, Cunha-Junior JP, Astray RM, Catarino RM, Lancelotti M, and Prudencio CR
- Subjects
- Animals, Rabbits, Antibodies, Neutralizing, Pilot Projects, Immunoglobulin G, Immunization, SARS-CoV-2 genetics, COVID-19 prevention & control
- Abstract
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.
- Published
- 2023
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